“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

 -Maya Angelou

 

California Families in Focus (CFF) understands that the success of our youth depends on the support of their parents, particularly their mothers, so we incorporate social and emotional learning by offering the Familia y Fortaleza Parenting Program. The program offers three main components focusing on promoting a healthy mind, body and spirit. 

Weekly workshops are from 6:30 pm-8:00 pm and we suggest committing to a full-year. The topics rotate each week and once our mothers start, they don’t want to stop! 

When parents can practice the principles of ethical leadership and effective communication within their family, they are able to effectively support and advocate for their children in their schools and the community. It starts within. 

Mind: Coordinated by Maria Lozano

Calm the mind. 

Parents’ mental health sets the tone for the household. When parents struggle with their own mental health challenges, children experience greater levels of emotional, psychological and behavioral problems than children whose parents re mentally well. Living with parents with mental health issues places a tremendous burden on the children leaving them feeling isolated and unsupported. 

CFF contracts with professionals in mental health treatment to administer social and emotional learning for parents and guardians through workshops, role playing, and other instruments.  

It is important that mental wellness programs support both the parent and their children to reduce stress and anxiety throughout the family.

Makeup Artists

Body: Coordinated by Silvia Ricca

Shape the body. 

What you put into your body and how you move your body are the two most important things to focus on for physical health. 

Physical activity has numerous positive health outcomes including aiding healthy weight goals. When parents exercise regularly, they supply a model for their children to stay active throughout their lives. Exercising with their children is an effective way to stay physically active while spending time with children. CFF parents learn to exercise according to comfort level and body type with demonstrations by professional trainers and instructors. and creating a workout schedule and routines that fits your lifestyle.

Complimenting a regular exercise routine is a regimen of healthy eating. Learning about nutrition and the importance of portion size is incorporated into the workshops. Participants will learn healthy recipes and meal preparation. Virtual cooking demonstrations and videos are hosted by professional chefs and instructors. 

Spirit: Coordinated by Diana Norman

Honor the spirit. 

Feeding the soul is an important part of establishing balance and wellbeing. In the spirit components CFF instructor Diana Norman introduces various spiritual techniques using meditation, aroma therapy, alternative healing practices, and herbal/tribal medicine. 

Parents learn how to foster a child’s spirituality in an age appropriate manner. Before the age of ten, the role of caretaker is all-important. Every young child should feel that:

  • They are loved and lovable.
  • They are worthwhile in their parents’ eyes.
  • Being a good person comes from within.
  • Happiness and fulfillment are natural.

As children grow they can start learning beyond themselves and learn values and principles of being a good person. 

Parents learn how to  incorporate all three components (body, mind, and spirit) into the family routine to create balanced living practices for optimum overall health.

Women also need a sense of self!

We encourage entrepreneurial activities for mothers as an opportunity to explore their creativity. They may enroll in one or all our skill building certification trainings such as:

  • Photography
  • Makeup artist
  • Fashion design
  • Jewelry design
  • T-shirt design

We welcome other ideas that can allow these mom-preneurs to generate extra income for their household. We help them create a promotional package including a logo, business cards, brochures, and their own social media platforms to sell items they create.