River Oak Center for Children: Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities

Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities is a 10-week class offered at the River
Oak Family Resource Center that addresses general parenting concerns such as discipline,
but with a focus on helping parents explore their cultural and moral beliefs and hopes for their
children. At the same time, the course helps direct parents to teach and guide their children
through "rites of passage."

Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities is targeted towards ethnic and
culturally diverse parents of children three-18 who are interested in raising children with a
commitment to leading a violence-free, healthy lifestyle. The goal is to reduce violence against
self, the family, and the community.

Studies have shown that Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities:

Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities is one of three effective parenting
classes funded by First 5 Sacramento that are offered at the Family Resource Center. Learn
about the other two classes, DARE To Be You and Make Parenting a Pleasure.

•   Significantly improves parental sense of competence, family/parent/child
    interactions, and child competence and behavior
•   Increases parent involvement in community activities, political issues, and
    school involvement;
•   Helps with child rearing challenges;
•   Encourages family bonding;
•   Promotes pride in family heritage;
•   Supports community bonding; and
•   Reduces life-threatening risks for children and teens.