Encouraging Healthy Family Relationships

Press Release 1/2/20

PERTH AMBOY – The RARITAN BAY AREA YMCA understand children and parents face stressful situations that can challenge their relationships. Often, children and adolescents do not have the communication skills necessary to let their parents know how they are feeling, or ask for help with tough situations. As a result, they become disengaged at home and school which can lead to at-risk behaviors such as school failure, family conflict, and early substance abuse.

The Y aims to address these issues and restore positive family relationships through behavioral health programming, including our Families Fit Together (FFT) Program.

Families Fit Together utilizes the evidence-based Strengthening Families Program. It is one of the most powerful programs for family change because it involves not just the parents or the children alone, but the whole family. FFT is a FREE 14-week program provided by the Y that hosts families once a week, provides a family-style dinner, and teaches new strategies to improve communication skills between parent and child. FFT can be delivered in both English and Spanish. Families who participate in this program are eligible for a free annual membership to the RARITAN BAY AREA YMCA.

The Y is seeking Middlesex County families with children between the ages of 11 and 16 to participate in FFT programming, beginning January 27th. Complimentary childcare is available for families with children under the age of 11.

If you feel your family is a good fit, please contact Lauren Capaci, Director of Strategic Initiatives: 732.442.3632 x 6505 lcapaci@rbaymca.org or Rebecca Pauley, Community Health Coordinator: 732.442.3632 x 6616 rpauley@rbaymca.org.