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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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Celebrating Community: The 2nd Annual Evanston is Family Strong Back to School Family Fun Fest
On August 17, 2024, the Evanston community came together once again for our 2nd Annual Evanston is Family Strong Back to School Family Fun Fest. This year’s event, held at the Robert Crown Community Center, exceeded all expectations with nearly 1,000 attendees—a huge increase from last year’s turnout...
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.
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.
Why Are Cafés So Great? - Public Health Innovation and the Epidemic of Loneliness
In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation.
Welcome to Be Strong Families
Since our last Revitalizer on November 16, we welcomed three new staff Morgan Harvey as Training Program Assistant, Christina Wolken as the IDCFS YAB Administrative Lead, Amanda Ramirez as Marketing Associate, and two new board members Andreé Long and Stephanie Ceja.
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…
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.
Why Are Cafés So Great? - Crisis Navigation
Our services help people to help themselves by building their sense of efficacy (you can do it), finding their voice, strengthening their support systems and community, developing social and emotional skills, opening up to help and to learning — with and from each other.
Revolutionizing ACEs Prevention: Unveiling the Science Behind Parent Cafés
In a collaboration spanning the better part of three years, Be Strong Families has proudly partnered with the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) in Washington, D.C. as they explore the outcomes and positive impact of Parent Café participation on parents, caregivers, and their families. This groundbreaking research effort, with the support of BSF, has recently culminated in a significant milestone…
Celebrating our Strengths and Building Equity Leadership
Be Strong Families staff and board came together for an in-person retreat October 19 and 20 in Lake County, IL. This is the first in-person staff-board retreat we have held in more than 6 years. The theme was “Be Strong Together: Celebrating our Strengths and Building Equity Leadership.”