Father Finds Success with Family Solutions

Many families go through a difficult time with their teenage children.  Lack of effective communication, frustration, and negativity can put a strain on any parent/child relationship.  The following is a letter we received from a father who participated in the Family Solutions Program last year.  This family was struggling with many of the same issues other families struggle with.  They made the commitment to participate in the 10 week program and found they became a stronger, closer family.

 

I think this course has helped my family and me in several ways.  From dealing with communication issues to career planning for my children, the benefits of learning these fundamental skills far outweigh a lazy evening watching television at home on the couch.

The class that helped me the most was the one where we did the family challenge.  We had to construct a structure out of tooth picks and jelly candy.  The trick is that we couldn’t talk.  We struggled at first, but then prevailed.  Unfortunately, I had become so stressed at home that I couldn’t even enjoy playing a game with my kids.  This activity opened that back up to me and we now play board games a good bit.

The second skill that I really have picked up on was our communication.  Every night I actually look forward to talking about the kids' days with them.  Before it was a cursory question, as we walked in the door.  Now I make the point to listen to each thing they say and open them up to more topics.

My kids also learned a lot and still talk about the education segment and making money.  I think this may have opened their eyes for their future needs.

I will continue to use these new skills and training.  I hope I can make our family stronger and happier.

 

Interested in learning more about the Family Solutions Program?  A session is organizing now! Contact Liv Hayes, 578-6013.

Don't Miss!
For a fun cand easy way to connect with kids, click for a Conversation Generator!

 

Need Your GED? Read This!

There are some major changes coming to the GED exam January 1, 2014.  We thought it would be worth to share this article with you! As always, if you have any questions just give us a call!


CHANGES COMING FOR GED

Carolyn Thompson

The Associated Press

         BUFFALO, N.Y. — Adults who have begun working toward their GED are being urged to finish up this year, before the test for a high school equivalency diploma changes and they have to start all over.

GED Testing Service will introduce a new version of the test, given nationwide, on Jan. 1.

Developers say the first major changes since 2002 will align the test with the new Common Core curricula adopted by most states to increase college and career readiness. It also will shift test-taking from pencil and paper to computer.

 Joyce Monroe, 24, is feeling the pressure as she puts in dozens of hours in class every week at the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center. Two practice tests showed she's ready for writing and science but needs slightly more work in math, along with social studies and language arts.

 "I'm really trying to get in before it changes. I'm so close," said Monroe, who said she left high school before graduating for family reasons and is trying to set an example for her 5-year-old daughter. "I don't want to start all over. That would make me want to drop GED like I did high school."

Those who administer the test have begun to alert the million or so adults who have passed some but not all of the five parts of the current test to complete the missing sections by Dec. 31. If not, their scores will expire and they'll have to begin again under the new program Jan. 1.

 "If they are in the pipeline, they need to get it done," said Dr. Danis Gehl, education director at the University at Buffalo's Educational Opportunity Center.

About 700,000 people take the GED exam yearly in the United States, said Armando Diaz, spokesman for Washington-based GED Testing Service, the trademarked test's creator.

 

 

Interested in getting your GED here at UFRC?

Day Classes are Monday through Thursday, 8:30am—12:30pm

Intakes for Day Classes are the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:30am (sharp)

Evening Classes are Monday and Thursday, 5:00pm—8:00pm

Intakes for Evening Classes are every Thursday at 5:00pm

 

Cost for classes (either time) is $25.00 for the school year.

 

An Old Friend

I'm old. Some people might say I am past my prime,  but I endure, I am familiar, and I am an old friend.

You might see me every day and not even notice me. But I am here. Enduring. Thriving.

Thriving? How could something old thrive? Because of people. People walk through my doors everyday looking for something. They could be looking for a place to connect with others or to learn something new. Old buildings thrive when people notice them.

My story began over 70 years ago, and many faces graced my halls. (Maybe yours did too?)  Seven years ago, I thought my story was going to end- I would be locked up/boarded up to one day be torn down and replaced with something new. Little did I know that seven years ago I would be changed into something new.

Sure, I missed the sounds of kids running through the halls. Sometimes I even think fondly of those who engraved their names into my wooden walls. But I would not change a thing.

I see people every day looking for a change. Looking for someone to care enough about them. I see faces of children, mothers and fathers, and those I remember from many years ago. They are all coming to see me.

I am thriving because of the things that are going on within my walls; Classes, counseling, ministering, teaching, music (I especially love the music), games, and more.
 
I am thriving because families are thriving. Thanks to the love of those around me- near and far.

I might be old, but I have found meaning and purpose.

I am the Upstate Family Resource Center. Come visit me.

 

UFRC Receives Grant from Dollar General Literacy Foundation

CONTACT: Kelley Ezell 864.578.69013 Kelley.ezell@spartanburg2.k12.sc.us

THE UPSTATE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER RECEIVES $7,500 GRANT FROM THE DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION TO EXPAND PARTERNSHIP WITH SPARTANBURG COUNTY ADULT EDUCATION

Boiling Springs, SC – May 2012– The Upstate Family Resource Center received a $7,500 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The grant will be used to expand evening adult education services provided via collaboration with Spartanburg County Adult Education. Kelley Ezell, Executive Director of the Center said “The need for these evening classes has been on our radar for a while. We are thrilled to collaborate with Dollar General to finally provide these much needed classes in our community.” With assistance from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Upstate Family Resource Center (UFRC) will expand its GED program to provide access during evening hours. 

Barriers to adult education during daytime hours prevent many adults in Spartanburg County from improving literacy rates, education, and family incomes. These barriers include lack of childcare, the need to work when employment is available, and the need to seek employment during daytime hours. The goal of this project is to expand access to GED instruction for persons experiencing barriers to attendance during daytime operating hours.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards grants to organizations in communities served by Dollar General. The literacy grants support nonprofit organizations that provide literacy services such as adult basic education, GED preparation, English language acquisition or programs for youth who struggle with reading. For more information on the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and a complete list of grant recipients, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

About the Upstate Family Resource Center: The Upstate Family Resource Center’s mission is to help families thrive by providing educational opportunities, engaging activities and support services. The Center is located at 1850 Old Furnace Road in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. For more information please check out our website at www.upstatefrc.org

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation: The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $71.2 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 4.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

Family Solutions Graduation!

There are days when I just absolutely love my job. Yesterday was one of them. We celebrated the graduation of 4 wonderful families from our Family Solutions Program. What an awesome night!

These families have worked hard over the last 10 weeks. Getting to know one another, learning new ways to communicate, and realizing that… “Hey, we’re not the only family out there that needs to work through some things.” One mom commented that her family had tried several different programs and by far this was the most effective because they WORKED TOGETHER. So…hats off and congratulations to these parents and kiddos who invested a little time in each other so that they could be stronger, healthier and happier.

If you are interested in participating in our next session…..call Liv Hayes at 578-6013.

So Much EXCITEMENT!

One wonderful thing about working at a nonprofit, is that you never know what you will be doing on a day to day basis. One day you will be processing paperwork, the next you are trying to meet the needs of a struggling family, then you are organizing a fundrasing event.
That brings me to the Udderly AMAZING Hullabaloo. This promises to be a huge, fun-filled event for our community.

Boulevard Music is presenting the live local music all day, featuring Tobacco Road. So make sure you bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and your dancing shoes!
You don't want to miss seeing the Hullabaloo Car Show, either. If you have a vehicle you would like to enter, be sure to visit our website for the registration form. Kids, young and old alike will enjoy seeing these marvelous machines in person!


What I am most excited to see is, Cow Patty Bingo. If you are unsure what that is, let me explain:
A grid is placed on the 9th Grade Campus' football field, participants purchase tickets (3 for $20 or one for $10) which will correspond to a square on the field. Then we all stand around while "Bessie" is escorted onto the field. Bessie will mosey around the field until she is moved to leave her mark. If it happens to land in your square, you win!

Make sure you get your ticket(s) so you don't miss your chance to support the Center and winning the pot! Tickets are available at the Resource Center, Parr's Automotive and Car Wash, Parker's Carpet One and Home Furnishings on Asheville Hwy., and Bill Wilkin's State Farm Insurance (next to Game Stop). And don't worry, squares will be assigned in a random process so that the person who purchases the last ticket has just as much of a chance at winning as the person who bought the first ticket.
PLUS! There will be inflatables (even for us big kids!), a Cornhole and Tug-O-War Tournament, and kid's activities.
There is SO much involved in this Hullabaloo, you don't want to miss it! If you would like to be a part of it-please give us a call! We are still looking for sponsors, so click here to see our sponsorship levels.

Get Involved with GoodSearch!

Here's an easy way to raise money for UFRC. Just start using Yahoo! powered GoodSearch.com as your search engine and they'll donate about a penny to the Center every time you do a search!

In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 2,400 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will go to the Center also.

You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to the Upstate Family Resource Center!

Click HERE for the website. You can also read about GoodSearch in the NY Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, ABC News and the Wall Street Journal.