The goal of the KEEP THE CONNECTION WORKSHOPS for Parents and Other Caregivers is to strengthen the family and especially, the adult-child relationship. Strong family ties are the most effective way to prevent children from joining gangs or yielding to other destructive influences.

The program in Baltimore public schools encourages parents to become involved in school activities and in their children's education.

The Program:

Each two-hour session in the eight-week program is based on topics covered in 27 Secrets to Raising Amazing Children.

In a warm, non-judgmental, supportive atmosphere, no attempt is made to change the parents' values, but rather it is designed to bring out the parents' own high values and  show them how to apply them to their everyday interactions with their children. (The stresses, strains and struggles of daily living often distract parents from their goals for their children and as a result, they just react, or overreact, to their children's behaviors. Unfortunately, such reactions do not lead to their achieving their hopes and dreams for their children.)

In KEEP THE CONNECTION WORKSHOPS, parents receive the utmost respect, compassion, and understanding; as a result, they become capable of giving to their children what has been given to them. Additionally, they are equipped with new skills and insights and feel empowered by their self-respect and higher self-esteem.  Facilitators' demonstrate the very values the parents hold dear and see how to apply them in their relationships with their children.

Parents who complete the eight-week program become eligible to train as facilitators in their schools and will receive stipends for both the training and facilitating their own groups,