Community – The Fabric of Lives and Families
Anchored in the best interests of each child and respect that promotes reflection and responsibility, the holistic approach of ‘r kids reflects that, while children are the primary focus, the enduring needs of the entire family are essential to sustained success and a strengthened community. By enhancing parent skills through connecting them to wrap-around support services, there is the likelihood that their ability to contribute to the community will grow.
Strong families improve the stability of neighborhoods, thereby reducing the prospect of violence in the community. Through parental involvement with schools, engaged families impact outcomes in local education. Children with a positive educational experience are more likely to be productive members of the workforce in the community. Additionally, foster parents may serve as a critical bridge, providing a positive structured, stimulating and loving environment – which benefits the child and the community.
2013 Decade of Families
With the 10th anniversary of ‘r kids Family Center, it was time to celebrate. Supported by the entire neighborhood, ‘r kids lobbied city government to close lower Dixwell Avenue for the first time in 20 years.
To engage the whole community, from babies to seniors, ‘r kids lined up 37 exhibitors, enticing more than 400 people to its block party. CDF Commissioner Joette Katz came early, engaging with the community. When people learned who the “lady in the suite” was, one by one, ‘r kids Families, past and present, thanked Commissioner Katz for the blessing in disguise of their involvement in the child welfare system.