| WHAT'S NEW |
Join us for the Walk to End Child Abuse on September 18, 2010 at Midway Stadium. Visit our Walk webpage here.
Or . . . HAVE YOUR OWN WALK in your community. Go here for lots more information about having your own Walk. |
| GROUPS |
Click here for a current list of groups in Minnesota. |
| CONTACT US |
Please send feedback and suggestions for
future issues to:
Circle of ParentsŪ Statewide Office
Priscilla Bennett
Communications Coordinator
1821 University Avenue, Suite 202-S
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-523-0099
pbennett@pcamn.org
Our Regional Coordinators:
Metro Office
Alice Lynch
Metro Program Coordinator
1821 University Avenue, Suite 202-S
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-523-0099
alynch@pcamn.org
Northeast Regional Office
Joan Johnson
Northeast Program Coordinator
9057 Sunset Strip
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
218-821-6429
jjohnson@pcamn.org
Southeast Regional Office
Barb Sorum
Director of Family Support Services
606 East 5th Street
Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-377-7665
bsorum@pcamn.org
Southwest Regional Office
Susan Thomes
Southwest Program Coordinator
PO Box 202
Silver Lake, MN 55381
218-308-1311
Western Regional Office
Mary Weaver
Western Program Coordinator
32662 Birchwood Shore Drive
Underwood, MN 56586
218-770-1385
mweaver@pcamn.org | |
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| CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT | |
 Alice O. Lynch, Metro Program Coordinator
Eastside Neighborhood Services is a nonprofit human service agency that provides basic needs, resources, and social services to individuals, families, and neighborhoods primarily located in Northeast and Southeast Minneapolis. Its purpose is to assist people of all ages and backgrounds in realizing a higher quality of life. Their mission is to foster the development and well being of individuals and families while strengthening their diverse community. For years Eastside Neighborhood Services has supported a Senior Employment Program. This program will pay seniors to work in various community organizations with the anticipation that the organization they are working with will hire them either part-time or full time. Many of these seniors have retired and come to Eastside with a wealth of skills they want to give back to their communities. (read more here) |
| FACILITATOR TIP | |
Barb Sorum, Director of Family Support Services
Becoming a Parent Leader
Parent leaders are group members willing to contribute an extra effort to the group and, as a result, expand their talents and leadership capacity. Parents may volunteer, be asked by the facilitator, or be elected by the group. The goal for parent leaders is to lead the meetings, something rarely immediately attainable. Some groups begin with a parent leader in place while other groups may take a few months to identify a parent leader. The initial scope of the role is different for each group and for each parent, and grows as the parent grows. (read more here) |
| CHILDREN'S PROGRAM TIP | |
 Mary Weaver, Western MN Program Coordinator Community Service and Kids
Kids are energetic, enthusiastic, and eager to help. Especially if it is also fun. Community service projects are a great way to have children start to think about their community as "us" instead of just "me" or "them." Kids need to receive the opportunity to practice kindness. Choose activities that show results, and keep track of accomplishments with a "help-o-meter" chart. Smaller or simpler helping tasks (such as collecting old glasses to donate to an organization that recycles them for the needy) help children feel encouraged about what they can do. Encourage kids to think of ways to help others. By instilling them with the thrill of random acts of kindness, we are also empowering the next generation to lead lives that are rich with compassion for others. |
| OUTREACH TIP | |
Joan Johnson, Northeast Program Coordinator
The St. Cloud Chapter of Circle of ParentsŪ meets at the YMCA every Monday evening. The children are in two rooms: the Rainbow Room and Katrina's Gym. The play center is designed for children of all ages to run, climb, crawl, hop, and leap. Each room provides different activities and components for children to have FUN! The YMCA childcare rooms are a wonderful asset to the Circle of Parents group. (see photos here) |
| BOOK OF THE MONTH | |
 Sue Thomes, Southwest Program Coordinator
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline For Children 2-12 by Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D.While the thought of counting for behaviors may appear too simple to work effectively, it is precisely simplicity that gives the ideas presented in this book merit. 'Keeping it simple,' is exactly what children need. Inserting long-winded explanations and emotions to necessary disciplinary practices only prolongs the process and may either cause children to 'tune out' or increase agitation (for children and parents). 1-2-3 Magic not only refers to the counting that is meant to stop offensive behaviors, but it is also a 3 step process: 1) Controlling Obnoxious Behavior, 2) Encouraging Good Behavior, 3) Strengthening Your Relationship. (read more here) |
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Our Mission
The mission of Minnesota's Circle of Parents is to empower parents to create healthy and loving families through positive parenting and mutual self help. | |
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