United Family Services would like to invite you to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Too often the topic of sexual violence in our community is avoided as a taboo topic to discuss. When we don’t talk about it, we are silencing the children and adults who have experienced sexual violence.
We invite you to join our prevention efforts to stop child maltreatment and sexual violence before it ever occurs. The following are ways that you can get involved:

* Attend the Community Training on “Understanding Sex Offenders: Protecting Children with Facts Not Fear” on April 11, 2008
* During April, participate in the Blue Ribbon Campaign by wearing a blue ribbon to show that you care about children and families. Blue ribbons can be ordered for free from United Family Services.
* Participate in the “Walk A Miles in Her Shoes” walk that will be at Wingate University on April 15th.
* Join us on May 3rd for GRAVITY: Giving Rape A Voice: It Takes You!! This is a fun skydiving event that raises awareness and raises funds for rape crisis, vistim assistance and Tree House Children’s Advocacy Center programs.
* Participate in the Union for Change fundraiser in which you can donate spare change to the United Family Services’ Tree House Children’s Advocacy Center. All proceeds go directly to the Tree House programs and services for abused children.
* Join the Union County Violence Prevention Taskforce which meets on the 4th Thursday from 9am-10:30am. This mission is to provide a multi-disciplinary, community-based team committed to supporting victims of sexual violence, domestic violence and child abuse, as well as their non-offending family members through intervention, advocacy, investigation, crisis intervention and counseling, medical treatment, and prosecution. The team will reach out to the community through education, awareness, and the prevention of child abuse/neglect, domestic violence and sexual violence.
* Attend a Workshop on “Keeping Children Safe” or “Protecting Our Children: Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse & Neglect”

Together, we can make a difference and create a safer community, free of sexual violence and child abuse.

For more information, contact Pam Caskey or Brandy Redmile Stephens at 704-226-1352 or pcaskey@ufsclt.org and bredmile@ufsclt.org

United Family Services is pleased to announce upcoming fall classes aimed at teaching parents., teachers and the community effective communication techniques, discipline and tools for positive interaction with children and adolescents. The education sessions reflect UFS’ ongoing goal of building safe and effective families in Union County. Classes are free but advanced registration is required.
l. Calming the Adolescent Storm–Mondays, Sept. 17 through Dec. 3, 2007, 7:00p.m.-8:00p.m.
United Family Services, 604 Lancaster Ave., Highway 200 South, Monroe
To register, call 704-226-1352 .
Program Overview: Who ever said parenting would be easy? This program equips parents with the
tools needed to successfully navigate their way through the stormy, but rich years of parenting
adolescents.
2. Padres Activos de Hoy (taught in Spanish)
Mondays, Oct. 1,8,15,22, 6:30-8:30pm. at Our Lady of Lourdes, 725 Deese St., Monroe
To register, call UFS at 704-226-1352 or Gustavo Arevalo at United Way, 704-226-5124 by Sept. 25
Program Overview: Through a series of videos and group discussions, participants learn about
effective styles, and how to help children build courage and self esteem, make good choices, say no
to drugs and alcohol, and more. This program is funded by Union Smart Start.

3. Who’s In Charge Here? — Mondays, Oct. 29, nov. 5,12,19, 6:00-8:00p.m. at UFS, 604 Lancaster Ave.
To register, call 704-226-1352 by Oct. 24
Program overview: This four-part, fun and practical class helps parents of preschool and elementary
age children learn techniques for working with children while helping them develop responsibility, self
worth and problem-solving skills. Parents will also learn how to talk to their children about safety
issues. This program is funded by Union Smart Start.

United Family Services is providing some important classes for the public during the month of August. They are “Child Abuse and Neglect” on Thursday, Aug. 2 from 6:30p.m. to 8:30pm and also the same class on Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30. Another class is “Keeping Children Safe” on Wed., Aug. 29 from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. All classes are held at the United Family Services Office at 604 Lancaster Ave., Monroe. Participants should call 704-226-1352 to register prior to attending.