Family Values for Life (FVFL) works with families to help them chart a path out of crisis through spiritual empowerment, mental alertness, physical fitness, and financial stability. Together we build capacities for families to network and leverage resources within their community. Strong healthy families cultivate secure communities.
We do this by:
i) Promoting sustainability of the family unit by assisting youth and their mothers to develop skills, tools and resources that will support their emotional, mental, physical, and financial needs.
ii) Reducing the level and impact of poverty on low-income, single-mother families in East St. Paul.
iii) Fostering family community involvement by organizing youth and family participation in community activities and events.
iv) Guiding single mothers in establishing a reliable support network for themselves and their children.
v) Engaging families with all relevant community service providers and resources to support their rise out of poverty.
Our Jump Start to the New You (JSNY) program is now in three locations. At each location we provide a workshop series that helps single moms build skills and knowledge and access resources to make positive changes for their families. The program includes 42-47 weekly workshops from September-August, and two community events. Workshop subjects include: nutrition and food preparation, exercise/fitness; personal image development; parenting and supporting education; stress and emotional management skills; personal empowerment; workforce readiness; and financial literacy. Subject area professionals present each workshop. Sessions are grouped so that all those focused on a topic (e.g. parenting) are offered in a sequential mini-series. We present the curriculum in three phases (and an elective summer session), with each phase of 16-18 workshops deepening participants connection to the content area. For example, in phase I, women will learn basic financial literacy skills; in phase II they will identify financial and educational goals and build personal image, and in phase III they will polish a resume, practice interviewing, and pursue work experience. Along with the series of workshops, JSNY offers a program for those dealing with grief and trauma.
Beauty for Ashes is a Jumpstart to the New You support program that exists to provide self-empowerment tools to generate restoration for women of every race and background as they journey toward healing from trauma, grief, and abuse. Our goal is to provide a safe space for women to be able to tell their story and feel empowered to start the journey of growth, wellness, and healing. In addition to this nine week process, Family Values For Life hosts an annual Mind, Body, Wellness Retreat to offer support to our participants who are dealing with the everyday stressors of life.
U-Turn 180, is an umbrella program focused on youth development. U-Turn 180 hosts a before and after school program every year from September through May. During the after school program children receive help with their homework, participate in games promoting physical fitness, a space for individual and group reading, and an opportunity to audition for our annual musical with theatre and vocal support. When the school year has ended we extend the invitation for our participants, along with other community children, to attend summer camps. In July 2020, U-Turn 180 introduced its Summer Reading Academy. The Summer Reading Academy is a six week program designed to help improve the reading scores of children, kindergarten through 3rd grade, reading below grade level.
In addition to our programs, we offer St. Paul's largest back to school event. We invite and encourage local business, resources, and service members to engage with residents from Saint Paul and surrounding cities. In 2019, we had approximately 50 community resources sign up to give free services and information. FVFL, along with the help of community partners, distributed 2,760 backpacks to school aged youth and children. Not only did we have the opportunity to distribute backpacks, many of those families received a box of produce to take home and a hot meal on site. This is a day filled with community fellowship, community partnerships, and community support to our children. We are honored to have had, and continue to have, the support from partners to make this event a success.
We'd like to thank you for your gift of support and for any gift of $100 or more you'll receive our commemorative 10th anniversary T-Shirt sponsored in part by Rodriguez Embroidery & Screen Printing
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.