Our Programs & Services
Spring & Summer Programs
BRINGING SHARED PARENTS VOICES TOGETHER
PLEASE NOTE: Our groups are for parents looking for support. We provide a safe and confidential space for open discussion, therefore, our groups are not open to observers.
Below, you will see our upcoming GPN groups. As we finalize the dates and times, we will be placing a submission form/button beside each one where you will be able to signup.
Please check back often as our information will be updated regularly.
We anticipate the vast majority of our groups will be held via Zoom for the foreseeable future.
FOUNDATION BASICS
How to install Zoom App on iPhone
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Tap on the Apple App Store icon on your iOS device to open.
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Tap on Search at the bottom right of your screen.
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Enter Zoom in the search text box.
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Select ZOOM Cloud Meetings from the available app choices, and then tap on the GET button.
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The install process will start.
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Tap Open.
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In the Zoom app, tap Sign In
How to install Zoom App on Android phone
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Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
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Search for ZOOM Cloud Meetings.
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Locate and tap the entry by zoom.us.
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Tap Install.
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Read the permissions listing.
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If the permissions listing is acceptable, tap Accept.
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Allow the installation to complete.
Online Group FAQ’S
Why should I try a support group for parents?
A Parent Support Group is a place where you can come to talk about your experiences and gain feedback without being judged or criticized. The group can help you to develop positive parenting solutions in a respectful environment. If you yearn for help and support to improve relationships with your children, a Parent Support Group might be the place for you.
What is the cost of attending a group?
All groups are FREE.
Is it safe to participate in the virtual support group?
Yes, we use Zoom online meeting software which provides a secure connection to the group. All our meetings are password protected and only registered parents have the password.
Can I participate without giving my name?
We only ask for participant's first names and last initial for our reporting requirements. So yes, you can be anonymous in the group.
I am shy. Do I have to participate in the video?
Absolutely not, if you do not feel comfortable you can participate without video or call into the meeting with your phone.
What about if I don't have a computer or Internet connection?
No computer. No problem. You can participate by dialing the phone number for the meeting.
How can I be sure that everyone in the group is a parent?
Our registration process ensures that all our group participants are parents.
What is the difference between a Parenting Class and a Parenting Support Group?
Parenting classes have an instructor who decides what the topic of discussion will be each week. There may be assigned readings and speakers. In a GPN Parent Voices Support Group, the parents decide what to talk about and are non-judgmental. Only the parents in the group can decide to invite an outside speaker.
Do you provide proof of attendance?
After 8 weeks of attending the group, the facilitator will provide you with an attendance certificate for your participation in our Parent Support Groups.
REGISTRATION FORM
Below, you will see our current class and groups on Zoom. Once you have selected which group/class you wish to join, please complete the Registration Form below, and a member of our team will reach out to you with more information.
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SUPPORT GROUP FOR FATHERS
Saturday morning via Zoom
April 17-May 29
10-11 AM ET
Parenting is possibly the single most challenging position on earth and certainly in someone's lifetime. This online group is a confirmation and reinforcement that Dad's ARE Parents TOO. It is a discussion among Dads or Fathers in reference to their feelings and perception of their role as a Parent. The chemistry between Parents is an interesting formula and the perception of our children may be something totally different. Through this online chit-chat, we hope to elevate the consciousness of the role of Dad as a Parent and share in how some have managed this important role.
We will discuss topics including:
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Shifting priorities
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Emotional responsibility
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Financial wellbeing
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Career transition
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Developing resilience
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Express yourself
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Meditation
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Sleep
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Make financial literacy a priority
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Be open and communicate
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Learning how to listen
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Being open and honest
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Chasing your passion, not your money
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Put life into perspective
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Visitation and custody problems.
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The ongoing effects of conflicts between parents.
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Difficulty juggling personal and work-related responsibilities.
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The emotional impact of separation, divorce, or death.
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Problems caused by dating and/or entering into new relationships.
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Complications with extended family relationships
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Struggle with co-parenting or step-parenting.
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Stress due to financial demands.
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Dealing with awkward questions about the mother.
GPN PARENTING GROUP
Working Through Family Grief
Friday Evenings via Zoom
June 18- August 3rd
7-8 PM ET
This online parenting support group is for parents that are working through the challenges of managing Grief and confusion within the family with a special emphasis on how Children’s emotions are being managed.
Many people are experiencing grief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grief is a normal response to a loss during or after a disaster or other traumatic event. Grief can happen in response to the loss of life, as well as drastic changes to daily routines and ways of life that usually bring us comfort and a feeling of stability. Common grief reactions include:
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Shock, disbelief, or denial
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Anxiety
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Distress
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Anger
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Periods of sadness
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Loss of sleep and loss of appetite
This group will discuss topics such as:
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Connecting with other people.
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Sharing stories and pictures that allow group members to share with each other.
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Honoring your loved one by reciting a selected poem, spiritual reading, or prayer.
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Developing a virtual memory book, blog, or webpage to remember your loved one, and ask family and friends to contribute their memories and stories.
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How to take part in an activity, such as planting a tree or preparing a favorite meal, that has significance to you and the loved one who died.
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Learning how to ask for help from others.
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How to seek out grief counseling or mental health services, support groups, or hotlines, especially those that can be offered over the phone or online.
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How to seek spiritual support from faith-based organizations, including your religious leaders and congregations, if applicable.
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How to seek support from other trusted community leaders and friends.
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How to deal with social stigma or control from others.
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How to cope with drastic changes to daily routines.
This group will help you find some ways to cope with feelings of grief including:
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Acknowledging your losses and your feelings of grief.
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Finding ways to express your grief. Some people express grief and find comfort through art, gardening, writing, talking to friends or family, cooking, music, gardening, or other creative practices.
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Developing new rituals in your daily routine to stay connected with your loved ones to replace those that have been lost.
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Learning to live alone and how to interact through phone calls and apps that allow for playing games together virtually.
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Learning to stay in the present and focus on aspects of your life that you have control over right now.
This group will help you to support a child who may be experiencing grief including:
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Asking questions to determine the child’s emotional state and better understand their perceptions of the event.
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Giving children permission to grieve by allowing time for children to talk or to express thoughts or feelings in creative ways.
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Providing age and developmentally appropriate answers.
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Practicing calming and coping strategies with your child.
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Taking care of yourself and model coping strategies for your child.
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Maintaining routines as much as possible.
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Spending time with your child, reading, coloring, or doing other activities they enjoy.
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Helping Children Cope with Emergencies.
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Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease.
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Caring for Children in a Disaster.
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After a Loved One Dies: Helping Children/grandchildren Grieve.
GPN SUPPORT GROUP
PARENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
Parenting during a pandemic is hard. Parenting a teen with special needs during these stressful times often feels impossible. This online group is for anyone who is raising a teenager who has special needs, whether those needs are behavioral, emotional, learning, physical, or medical.
While the decision to send children back to school weighs heavily on all parents, families of children with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities are facing unique challenges and considerations.
There is much general information about return-to-school, but often when children have medical problems, families hear that information and think -- 'How does that apply to my kid?' This is an individualized decision for each family that depends on a child's medical conditions, but also the circumstances of the family. Even two children who on paper have the same medical condition, depending on the family circumstances, may have to plan differently. While some children with disabilities likely would benefit from going back to school, others may have a harder time doing so safely.
Missing social contacts and altered routines, disturbed sleep and eating habits can be particularly intense for kids with developmental challenges.
This Support Group is a place for parents with special needs children to come together, share their frustrations, and share tips, tools, and experiences.
Friday Evenings via Zoom
June 18 - August 3rd
8-9 PM ET
Coming shortly.....
GPN PARENTING TEENAGERS
SUPPORT GROUP
This parenting group is for parents of youth between the ages of 13-18 who are struggling with challenges that this age group brings to parenting.
Connect with other parents that share your frustrations, and get the support and feedback you need to help yourself and your teenagers manage this challenging time in your lives.
Social distancing to slow the spread of Covid-19 can be especially hard for teens, who may feel cut off from their friends. Many also experience the letdowns of loss of graduations, proms, sports seasons, college visits, and other longed planned events, canceled or postponed.
This group will explore ways to:
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Stick to a schedule that works with online learning.
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Make dinner a transition time between the "school day" and the evening.
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Allow "downtime."
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Share information about what is happening to help ease their concerns about the virus.
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Stressing that staying home saves lives.
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Talk about feelings and how to watch for signs they are struggling and may need more support, or if they are showing signs of increased suicide risk.
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Help your teen look forward by helping them shift away from what was lost and identify ways to move on with plans and goals.
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Help them reach out virtually by staying connected to friends and loved ones during social distancing by phone, text, video chat, or social media.
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Help them to help others connect. Many teens have expertise in using technology and can teach parents or grandparents how to video chat or use social media. This is also an opportunity for them to bring you into their virtual world.
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Talk about new responsibilities.
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Talk to your teen about ways they can play a bigger role.
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Ask your teen to help you come up with creative ways to stay connected with family and friends on a regular basis.
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Help your teen take the lead in projects that involve the entire family, like organizing family photos or recreating the family's history. This is a great topic for calls to grandparents, who may be able to describe challenging times in the past, and how the family coped with stress.
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Encourage them to clean out their room, the basement, or declutter the garage and prepare items to donate to charity.
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Volunteer within the community.
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Help them to show acts of kindness by making someone's day better with a phone call, text, or social media post.
SINGLE PARENTS SUPPORT GROUP
This group is for parents that are parenting a child on their own. Speak with other parents that share the challenges that most single parents have and get advice, feedback, and discover resources to help you manage this challenging parenting role.
We will explore topics on:
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You Make All The Parenting Decisions.
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Managing The Finances.
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Your Children Will Be Super Responsible.
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Undivided Attention.
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You’ll Not Be Dependent On Others.
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Conquer the Challenges of Being a Single Parent
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Don’t Let Children Divide and Conquer.
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Staying Strong.
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Don’t Give in to Blackmail.
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Communicating with Your Ex.
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Staying Calm with Your Ex in Front of the Children.
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Organizing Your Life.
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Financial Novelties.
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Dealing with the Extended Family.
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Holidays and Vacations.
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Living Your Own Life.
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**We will post the meeting schedule and registration shortly
LUNCH AND LEARN PARENTING GROUP
Friday Noon
Parenting is the hardest job in the world. At times the challenges and struggles get overwhelming and create a lot of stress and frustration for parents.
Do you need to get some feedback on your questions?
Do you need help with steps to take to reduce stress so you can parent better?
Take your lunch and come and join our community.
*The signup form will be available shortly
MEETUP MONDAY
PARENTING SOCIAL CONNECTION
You just finished dinner, got the kids settled with their homework and you feel physically and emotionally drained. What a Monday!
At times, the challenges and struggles get overwhelming and create a lot of stress and frustration for parents so why not finish your Monday on a positive note and connect with other parents to see that you are not alone.
*The signup form will be available shortly