We want to thank everyone who came out for Family Continuity's first North Shore Ice Cream Social which took place on Saturday, August 16th at Forest River Park in Salem. The event ran from 12:00 to 3:00, although many folks stayed to take advantage of the great weather to "chill out" in the summer. It was a terrific day for families and children, and a good opportunity to get the word out about Family Continuity. The event offered local residents and visitors the chance to learn more about Family Continuity, its work throughout the North Shore, employment and volunteer opportunities and to make contributions to its Family Support Fund and other initiatives. It was organized by staff, volunteers and graduate students from Salem State.

We especially want to thank sponsors, Salem State University School of Social Work, Richardson's Ice Cream (who donated the goodies), as well as the City of Salem and staff at Forest River Park. Special recognition also goes to agency staff led by Craig Maxim and  Kelly Lindsey who pitched in and assured that a good time was had by all.

School Days

Well, we hope you all enjoyed yourselves, but the summer is almost over, and its time to get back to reality. And one of the most important routines for families with children...School. For parents of first time students, this can be a stressful and emotional time of letting go. Ditto for those with young adults leaving for college. The beginning of a new school year can be a stressful time for all children, with new teachers and classmates, bigger classrooms, new routines and more schoolwork. This is especially true for children who are facing major transitions such as starting elementary school or entering middle school, high school, or college. As a parent, there are proactive steps you can take to support your child, no matter what age, as he or she heads back to school.

-  Express interest and enthusiasm about the start of the school year to your child.  If you are confident, your child will be too.  

-  If you have visited your child's school already, you are one step ahead of the game. If not, take a walk around the school with your child and locate his or her classrooms, lunchroom, playground and restrooms. This will help keep your child from feeling lost on the first day.  

-  Introduce yourself to school personnel; teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, and nurses. Avoid being the dreaded "helicopter parent", but let them know that you see your job as supporting them as educators.  If they know you are interested, research has shown that they will take an extra interest in your child.  

-  Take time to listen to your child's thoughts about the new school year. Is he or she worried about anything? Remember to let your child know that it's normal to feel nervous about the start of school.
-  When they start, spend time each day talking to your child about what happened in school. Give your child positive feedback about his or her new experiences.  

-  After a summer off, it is important to re-establish a steady routine in the house. Consistency in times for meals, homework, and bed time will support the child to start off strong and alleviate the fears that the new school year brings.
-  Praise and encourage your child to become involved with school activities and try new things.
-  Attend school functions and stay involved in your child's education. Children whose parents are more involved with their education have higher achievement, are better adjusted and are less likely to drop out of school.
-  Make a point to learn about how your child develops not just physically, but socially and emotionally, as well. If you are aware of what's typical behavior and thoughts for your child's stage of life, you will be able to tell more readily when things may not be right.

Anxiety and stress about starting school is normal for a child and usually passes within the first few days or weeks. If your child continues to seem anxious or stressed, talk to your child's pediatrician about what you can do as a parent. If problems persist, consider a referral to a trained and qualified mental health professional.

For more information, contact Family Continuity at 866-219-3320, or learn more about its services in its website at www.familycontinuity.org.

Program Highlight:    

Real Stories from the Family Support Fund

Everyone faces times when events and circumstances conspire to overwhelm them. Sometimes our own behavior is to blame, and other times events beyond our control take over, often, it is a combination of both. We find ourselves sinking, and in need of a live preserver.

Question: When is a  handout more than a handout?
Answer: When it is targeted to provide a springboard to help people improve their own lives.

A little more than seven years ago, Family Continuity created this "springboard", an initiative called the Family Support Fund. It was created to provide emergency assistance to our client families for a wide variety of needs that come up in real life, but for which there is no family, state, or other support. However, the assistance is only provided on the recommendation of the family's worker and tied to support of an important goal and the effort that families make to achieve it. Since its inception, the Fund has provided support to many families in Massachusetts in critical areas of need.

Gary and Barbara's story (this month's Real Story) is just one example...below are some other places where the Fund was the critical spark to change a life:

• Registration for a therapeutic summer day camp to help a young boy through the depression resulting from the loss of a parent,
• Fees to process and license a "rescue dog" to provide companionship to a home-bound elderly woman,
• The cost of child care for a month, while a young mother completed her CNA certification,
• Ferry tickets to enable a child to receive corrective dental surgery and support,
• Repair of a wheelchair for a client struggling with spina bifida and depression,
• Replacement of clothing and personal belongings lost in a house fire,
• Emergency auto repairs, to enable a father to start a new job,
• Utilities and moving expenses to move a family away from the threat of serious domestic violence,

Add to these, help to obtain a driver's license, computer training, heating oil assistance, special recreational opportunities for young children, school sports fees, and other opportunities to improve one's life, and we have seen the impact that the Family Support Fund can have.

The Family Support Fund Needs Your Help! The Family Support Fund is funded entirely by donations. Board members, staff members, and vendors contribute money that we set aside and designate for the Fund. At its height, the fund had over $12,000. Here is the "good news, bad news." The good news is that staff have increased their requests for its use and, like the example above, we have some very compelling stories of folks who've received help they could not have otherwise gotten. The bad news is that we are draining it far faster than it is being replenished. We encourage you to join the others who have given and designate a fully tax-deductible gift to the Family Support Fund!