go2antiques: The Parenting Center -- Benefit Booth #2 at the Fort Worth Show March 3,4,5

The Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art welcomes The Parenting Center as one of our two Benefit Booths at the March 3,4,5, 2016 show. Their booth at the show will be decked out in blue, the color of “Child Abuse Prevention Month” coming up in April. Here is their story.

“The Parenting Center invested in me, and that gave me the inspiration as a teen mom to invest in my child. I grew up with a single mom who never could be around, and I think that I would have done the same thing without the skills that The Parenting Center taught me.”

Babies crying, teens sulking, temper tantrums daily. These things happen. Multiply them by: job loss, no immediate family support, teen parenthood, financial setbacks or the isolation of a single parent with no experience in how to change a diaper, much less everything else that is part of being a parent.

Anyone who has ever been a parent can identify with all of these things. That’s why 40 years ago, citizens under leadership of the Junior League of Fort Worth, came together to found what is now called The Parenting Center. At that time, child abuse and neglect were at an all-time high. The mission of the Parenting Center became to prevent child abuse by helping to train, educate and support successful families.

That is to say: their strategy is to help prevent child abuse before it begins.

A child depicts a family, right, before counseling and, left, after counseling

And it’s working. Each year The Parenting Center helps 14,000 to 18,000 clients of all backgrounds and economic levels in North Texas.

Parenting Center programs include:

A confidential Parent Advice hotline

Family and individual counseling

The “Empowering Families Project” - This program offers pre-marital and marital education that qualifies a couple for a discount on their marriage license through the "Twogether in Texas" program. The program also works to strengthen relationships and integrate support services such as financial coaching, case management and employment assistance.

Classes in the Community - The Parenting Center provides classes in places like Cook Children's Medical Center, Babies R Us and Fort Worth Libraries, in addition to classes offered at the Parenting Center building on West 5th St. These classes delve into topics that families need to succeed, such as how to deal with the stresses of raising a family and learning tips and skills to manage misbehavior. Other topics include single parenting, step-parenting or raising children with special needs. Co-parenting classes help families going through divorce or separation learn how to rebuild relationships that are beneficial to the child. These classes are a tremendous community resource for North Texas.

The Parenting Center’s executive staff are enthusiastic and eager to expand services across North Texas. Most of them, such as Executive Director Paul Gravley and Director of Development Crystal Cardwell are parents themselves. As Paul puts it, “The ultimate goal of The Parenting Center is to eliminate child abuse and neglect” by working with partner agencies to provide positive education and comprehensive support to families in North Texas.

Or as a recent client reflected, “Without the help of The Parenting Center and their great classes I have attended, my family and I would still be dealing with anger, trust and communication issues. The Parenting Center has given me the tools and guidance to help put my family on the right track to building a healthier environment at home.”

In addition to the blue décor at the Parenting Center’s booth at the Fort Worth Show, plans include:

--- “Sponsor a Pinwheel”– for a $1 donation, you can write your word of encouragement to a parent or family. These pinwheels will be offered to Parenting Center clients, with your word.

--- Purchase beautiful (blue) Peter Millar Golf Shirts and learn about The Parenting Center's "23rd Tee It Up Fore Kids" Golf Tournament on October 3, 2016 at Shady Oaks Country Club.

--- Take home literature to increase community awareness of the signs and many types of child abuse and neglect

--- Put your name in the hat for a raffle for Japanese Palace Dinners for 4, at Fort Worth’s iconic and fun family restaurant on Camp Bowie West

--- A sale of select antiques and art donated by Fort Worth Show exhibitors and friends, to benefit The Parenting Center.

So plan to stop by to learn, shop and lend a word of encouragement at The Parenting Center booth at the Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art March 3,4,5, 2016, which will soon be here!

Learn more at theparentingcenter.org