Healthy families make healthy communities. Ingredients for healthy families are good parenting skills, communication and of course, an immense love. But sometimes, it is harder to mix all of this together. Sometimes things can look so overwhelming that we realize that we need something else. People often think that parenting classes are targeted at parents that lack parenting skills or that are required to take a parent training class. But, nothing can be further from the truth. Nowadays, with the frenzy of modernity, people are rushing between home and work, with little time, as parents we are entitled to get support in the daunting task of raising our children. There are programs in Hood River that may hold the answer for us where we can find advice, support, and a friendly hand. Today, we have to face a harsh reality, this is not a fairy tale world and our kids sometimes have to deal with tough issues like: drugs, violence, suicide, juvenile delinquency and gang involvement. How we can protect them? Some of us would like to cover our kids with a protective shield; others do their best fighting this battle alone. Others get together and try to build a community inside their neighborhoods, all of these have one thing in common: a commitment in raising their children inserted in a violence free, healthy and positive community. Beginning in February, Strengthening Families will be offered again to parents in Hood River County. This class targets parents of children ages 3 to 18 years old. During the last series of classes, all participants were awarded completion certificates and after a cheerful celebration parents wrote letters about their experience having this class. They all agreed in that programs like this one are much needed. "I wish I have learned all of this 20 years ago," wrote one of the mothers that took the class. "We have learned how to solve problems with our kids without yelling at them. We are improving our communication skills between our family," stated another couple. For more information please call Next Door's Youth and Family Services at 386-4098.

Maria Elena Castro