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Get plugged into the latest Be Strong Families news, initiatives, and blog articles — all central to creating transformative conversations that nurture the spirit of family, promote well-being and prevent violence.


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Why Are Cafés So Great? - Empowering Communities Through Leadership and Reciprocity
Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User

Why Are Cafés So Great? - Empowering Communities Through Leadership and Reciprocity

Parent Cafés empower communities by shifting the traditional service model, allowing parents to lead and support each other while developing valuable leadership skills. Designed by the people, for the people, Cafés not only build stronger communities but also offer parents hands-on experience in event planning, public speaking, and outreach—skills that often lead to further opportunities and employment. By compensating parent leaders and fostering political, social, and economic equity, Parent Cafés create sustainable engagement and leadership that continues to uplift families long after the Café ends.

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Tackling Food Insecurity in Evanston: A Community Effort (bilingual)
Family Support Amanda Ramirez Family Support Amanda Ramirez

Tackling Food Insecurity in Evanston: A Community Effort (bilingual)

Food insecurity is a pressing issue that affects many communities across the nation, and Evanston is no exception. The fight against food insecurity in Evanston is supported by a network of dedicated organizations and community members. From food pantries and soup kitchens to community fridges and student resources, these initiatives provide crucial support to those in need. Here’s a look at some of the key resources available in Evanston to combat food insecurity.

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Why Are Cafés So Great? - How Cafés Promote Equity and Belonging  
Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User

Why Are Cafés So Great? - How Cafés Promote Equity and Belonging  

In a world where many struggle to find spaces where they can truly be themselves, cafés offer a unique refuge. They provide a platform where individuals can share their stories without fear of judgment—a core principle upheld by café agreements, which emphasize equality and the power of personal experience over hierarchy.

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Why Are Cafés So Great? – Cafés and Healing Trauma 
Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User

Why Are Cafés So Great? – Cafés and Healing Trauma 

Trauma, especially trauma that is experienced in early childhood, can have a significant and lasting impact on an individual's emotional, cognitive, and social development. It can disrupt the natural progression of attachment, self-concept, and understanding of the world and interpersonal dynamics. As a result, this can set unhealthy patterns of relationships…

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Why Are Cafés So Great? – Café as a Type of Therapeutic Mental Health Service
Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User Cafés, Family Support, Vitality Guest User

Why Are Cafés So Great? – Café as a Type of Therapeutic Mental Health Service

The main goal of mental health services is to help individuals achieve better mental and emotional well-being. If you bracket for a moment the assumption that all such services need to be provided by licensed professionals according to a medical model including diagnosis and treatment including medication (which are not necessarily super effective in many cases), Cafés do many of the things that therapeutic mental health services do — and for some people they even work better than conventional, evidence-based interventions. They can also be catalysts and gateways to accessing professional mental health services.

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Foster Change, Foster Success 
Family Support Robyn Harvey Family Support Robyn Harvey

Foster Change, Foster Success 

Walking into the room on Saturday, May 20th, there was excitement in the air. It was a feeling of guarded optimism. Tables had been set with beautiful flowers and a presentation of statements of appreciation from youth in care in Illinois to the people who had shown them care over the years. This event was meant to honor, acknowledge, and celebrate foster parents, and an opportunity to promote camaraderie amongst Youth in Care and Foster Parents.

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