Family & Youth Forum
E-Newsletter from Family & Youth    Lake Charles, LA

January
2  0  0  8

 What's Inside

Front Page

A Time to Celebrate

LANO Standards for Excellence

A Family Celebration

Redefining "Family"

The Leadership Center Family

Governor's Safe & Drug Free Grant

Mom...Is that You?

The Back Page

Mission
It is the belief of Family & Youth that all individuals possess the ability to solve their own challenges and live full healthy lives when support is available. It is the mission of Family & Youth to provide affordable and professional support through programs and services dedicated to advocacy, counseling, and education for the people of Southwest Louisiana. Our effort and commitment to building family values will guarantee a stable and stronger community. 

Redefining "Family"
by Danielle R. Caraway, MA, LPC, LMFT, Director of Autism Support Alliance

"The bonds that link your true family are not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each others life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof." -Richard Bach, author

Most of us have people in our lives we consider “family,” though we are not blood-related. Often these strong connections are formed through a shared experience, as is the case with several members of our social skills groups in our Autism Support Alliance program.

One Saturday in October, members of our Young Adult Group and our High School Group met at the Derek Drive Power Center to “roll up their sleeves” and volunteer their time to help build the new community park, Adventure Cove. Adventure Cove is a 12,000 square foot barrier-free playground where children of all abilities can play together.

The teens and young adults got a tour of the worksite from the project head contractor and asked many questions about the construction process. The group’s task was to prepare nails and screws for the builders by running each nail or screw through a bar of soap. A tedious task, no doubt, but the volunteers prevailed. They even participated in a photo op with Mayor Roach! Despite their ages, the teen and young adult volunteers have requested a visit to Adventure Cove Park after it’s completion to celebrate their contribution to the project. And for a group of young people who struggle with social connections, perhaps a chance to celebrate being part of another “family.”