Youth & Family News
Youth & Family News
By Charlie Manger, Youth Program Director
Trending Upward Recently
- Parents and grandparents have been more frequently bringing youth to jump into the YFM program downstairs. It’s been great to see friends old and new joining us on Sunday mornings.
- While some youth still join their parents upstairs for the music and message, we heard some of them say they’d like to come back and try us out downstairs, too. Siblings often split upstairs/downstairs, which helps us spread the word amongst the youth about the positive experience they have downstairs with us.
Safe & Creative Space to Explore Youthful Spirituality
- Attendance, though trending towards more youth more often, continues to fluctuate between 0–3 kiddos weekly. We are here holding space for them no matter what.
- As reported before, the families involved are often “two households” where one of the parents or the grandparents have a link to Seattle Unity. In these cases, the youth come only when they are spending time with those parents or grandparents.
- However, two of our recent newcomers asked their parent, “Can I come every week?” That’d be great.
- One of our reliable and talented volunteers has told us she will be stepping back from her monthly commitment. So I’ll be reaching out to the new recruits to see who is ready-willing-able to step into the gap.
- We continue to have a very good set of teachers (Sandi & Hannah) plus good core group of volunteers who bring positive energy and ideas to support weekly Sunday sessions and special outings we use to build connections with current and new families and youth.
Extra-Curricular Activities
- In addition, YFM activities are planned to engage with kiddos, parents & grandparents:
- October pumpkin patch road trip – to be coordinated with the parents and grandparents as to date and time for best participation
Gratitude
Thanks for continuously supporting the YFM program as we attract, retain, energize, uplift youth and families in our community.
All the best, Charlie