2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Mary Sherden)
Raising a pre-teen can be challenging, but local organizations are working together to help families build trust and embrace healthy communication. The Strengthening Families Program is a free seven-week series that brings parents and children together each week to learn new ways to connect and communicate. The current series meets in Cheney High School's library and is led by multiple facilitators, including Debbie Gerber.
“If you want to build a house, you can’t just use a hammer. You've got to have all the things. And if you want to build a child and a healthy family, you need a lot of tools," Gerber said.
The program welcomes families from all backgrounds and uses a nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum . "It doesn't matter what your background, socioeconomic factors, it really doesn't matter. I have six kids.
I wish I would have had this when I was raising my family.," Gerber said. Each week, parents and children participate in both separate and joint sessions, covering a variety of topics.
“It’s about talking to your parents more and saying no to drugs or peer pressure and going more in-depth on those things that school really doesn't have time for," said pre-teen participant, Ace Patterson. Patterson said, at first, he was reluctant when his mom signed up their family, but that he has enjoyed bonding with the other families in the program. “It kind of encompasses everything that families go through,” said Tricia Madison, a parent in the program.
“As parents, we’ve learned a lot of different communication tactics and how to run a family meeting.” The series focuses on the importance of open communication, especially when it comes to preventing substance abuse. According to the Healthy Youth Survey , alcohol and marijuana use increases significantly among Spokane County students from 6th to 8th grade.
The Strengthening Families Program aims to help parents and children establish healthy boundaries early. Georgette Spring attended the program and said she’s already seen positive changes in her family. “Throughout this entire process, I’ve seen changes that I think are going to stick,” she said.
The next Strengthening Families Program is open to families with children ages 9 to 14 in the greater Spokane area. The next session begins April 24, with meetings on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The program is free and dinner is provided. For more information and to register, click here . PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Free seven-week parenting and family workshop for East Valley families COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY.
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