Host Social Events and Connections

Some Keep Connected organizations have done the following to continue to build community and social support among families after the workshop series:

• Host a picnic or potluck to reunite families a few weeks after the Keep Connected series ends. Consider including a ritual from Keep Connected, such as highs and lows.
• Create a Facebook group for families.

Keep Connected Online Family Resources

In addition to the workshop series, Keep Connected Parent Resources offers a wealth of ideas, activities, and insights for parents  and families. This website includes:

• More activities, ideas, and discussion starters for families to try at home to explore the five keys to strong family relationships.
• Other topics to explore, such as:
  • setting goals
  • managing money
  • preventing underage alcohol and tobacco use
• Quizzes to explore and compare attitudes and experiences.
• Insights and tips for helping kids thrive through ages and stages from birth through high school.

More Learning and Support Opportunities

Families may still want to gather to explore additional topics or just to be supportive of each other. Here are some options, recognizing that each should be considered based on families’ own priorities.

• Offer workshops and other learning experiences that follow up on Keep Connected, focusing on topics that families express interest in during the workshop series.
• If they’re interested in money management, check out the available workshop modules on money management in the Lead It tab of this page, created by Search Institute for Bank It.
• Connect your families with other learning opportunities offered in your school, organization, or community. (If they know others from the Keep Connected workshops will participate, they may be more likely to show up.)
• Organize ongoing support groups for parents or families who want to continue problem-solving with each other. There may even be some special-topic groups that might be valuable, such as culturally specific family groups, foster families, families with LGBTQ+ kids, single-parent families, blended families, or families with children with disabilities.

Leadership and Service Opportunities

Perhaps the most powerful way to engage and empower families is to connect them with leadership and service opportunities in your organization, school, or community. These opportunities should align with families’ interests, sense of purpose, commitments, and readiness (not simply “fill slots”). Some examples include:

• Invite parents with facilitation skills to be trained to co-lead future Keep Connected workshops (or other workshops) for other families.
• Sponsor family service or volunteering activities in the community or in your school or organization. Encourage families to identify the issues they want to address, then reflect on their experiences of working together around a shared interest.
• Identify particular gifts, passions, or expertise that families have that may be of interest to others. Invite them to lead workshops or small-group sessions that allow them to share their expertise with others who are interested.
• Form an intergenerational family advisory group for your organization or school. Be intentional in creating high-quality experiences that tap the insights of both youth and parenting adults.