The opportunity for young ones to explore their interests and figure out what it is that they’re good at is essential for building self-trust, confidence and sense of purpose. This can greatly effect how they interact with others and determine whether or not they become productive members of society. FOCUS Youth Center is a safe place for children and adolescents to nurture talents and focus energ
y into passions for a successful and fulfilling life. We intend to honor each positive attribute and ability -the things each individual does well- and build on their strengths one step at a time. With the support of adults to guide and teach the necessary skills to succeed, adolescents especially have the ability to make decisions and contribute to the world around them. For this reason, we put a major focus on implementing Parenting Intervention Programs within our facility.
“Adults must recognize that children are more emotionally fragile and dependent than we generally realize. The power of parental love will be our greatest asset in changing society, once the true nature of childhood becomes common knowledge. I have worked with neglectful, abusive, substitute, and well-meaning natural parents in parenting support groups for thirty years, and I truly believe that most parents do the best they can, based on their knowledge. Improving their knowledge has almost always resulted in improved function as parents. Most parents love their children, but they simply don’t understand children well enough to provide the childhood experiences that children need to become loving citizens of the world..”- Eric Greinke, M.S.W., C.S.W. Whole Self/Whole World
Parents are their children’s first nurturers, teachers, encouragers and protectors. Positive parent-child relationships set the stage for children’s success in school and in life. Therefore, parents are our most important partners for supporting the development and well-being of young children. This not only applies to biological, adoptive, and step-parents, but also to other primary caregivers, such as grandparents, other adult family members, and foster parents. Coupling Parenting Intervention Programs for adults, with a curriculum of Education and Art Programs for our youth, a community is bound to thrive. FOCUS Staff is prepared to handle homeless youth, teen parents, youth in child services, as well as other young people who have experienced trauma and difficult situations. We believe in building healthy friendships, relationships, taking on responsibilities and saying no to unhealthy behaviors like drinking and drugs. Young people who are able to see a brighter future within reach have more ambition to make healthy choices in life, as will adults who never properly learned of their own abilities. When our younger generations and individuals are able to learn who they are, what they can do, and how to focus their energy, our world will be a brighter place for the future of humanity.
