“Where Families Grow”
For more than 35 years, Family Dynamics has been committed to protecting children and strengthening families through programs and services that build on the strength of the family and the community. Based in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick, Family Dynamics reaches thousands of families throughout central Brooklyn.
Family Counseling
Through a combination of center-based workshops and counseling, Family Dynamics works closely with families who have experienced crisis and helps prevent crisis situations in the future. Family Dynamics offers numerous individual and family counseling services both on site and at home that help to ensure that all families get healthier and happier starts. These efforts have been highly successful at reducing foster care placements as well as accelerating family reunification when a placement was unavoidable. Family counseling is available at three locations centrally located in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick.
Parenting Support Groups/Workshops
Family Dynamics offers educational and supportive workshops for parents to improve and enhance parenting and coping skills. These programs focus on preventing child abuse and neglect, reducing foster care placements and accelerating family reunification. By covering topics such as child development, anger management and stress reduction techniques, parents learn how to communicate with their children better. Childcare is provided.
School Based Programs
The Family Dynamics School Based Programs are based on the philosophy that communities need centers that provide young people with constructive alternatives to life on the streets, to help reduce drug use and violence, and to provide a means for problem solving. These programs provide safe and progressive environments for inner-city children. Family Dynamics’ School Based Programs are located in schools throughout Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick. Participation is voluntary.
Beacon Center at MS 35
The Beacon Center has become a cornerstone of the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Located in MS 35, the Beacon Center provides a wide range of after-school activities as well as evening and weekend services, workshops, summer enrichment programs, and recreational activities open to every family in the neighborhood. More than 1,300 children and adults participate in programs and events at the Beacon Center each year.
After-School Programs
The After-School programs were created in response to the city’s need to have a safe and supportive environment for children when they are out of school and may be lacking parental supervision due to parents working. It offers a mix of academic support, sports and recreational activities, the arts and cultural experiences for free. The program continues during school breaks and operates during the summer as a camp.
Summer Enrichment
The Summer Enrichment Program, which takes place at 3 different Brooklyn Public Schools, runs for 8 weeks during the summer and gives students the opportunity to learn about different cultures utilizing their academic, creative, and artistic abilities. All programs are designed to enhance student learning. While each programs’ culminating event may be different in scope, all of the programs are intended to showcase what students have learned through art, music, film, writing, song and dance. The Summer Enrichment Program is open to students in grades Kindergarten thru 12th.
Attendance Improvement and Dropout Prevention (AIDP)
Family Dynamics’ AIDP program is located in 3 area public high schools - 1 in Brooklyn and 2 in Queens – including Flushing High School, which has been recognized as the top AIDP program in the New York City School System (out of 120 schools that participate). AIDP focuses on truancy prevention through academic support, counseling and guidance services, as well as parent involvement and family literacy services to the students and their parents. Students who are enrolled in Family Dynamics’ AIDP programs have a successful track record of improving attendance. Over half the children enrolled have reached their goal of 90% or better attendance. Students are referred by the schools.
Adult Education
Family Dynamics provides adults in the community the opportunity to learn a variety of skills through its New Horizon Program. New Horizon’s focus is to break the cycle of poverty by offering a comprehensive educational program for adults. With the help of a network of teachers, counselors and administrators, students grow in self-sufficiency, confidence, and self-esteem. New Horizons offers day and evening classes that are open to adults of all ages in the community.
Programs:
• Adult Literacy
• GED Preparation
• Adult Basic Education
• Computer Training
• Job Readiness
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Project AFFIRM
For more than 20 years, Project AFFIRM has worked with incarcerated mothers at Bayview Correctional Facility to strengthen and maintain the families and promote stability and continuity for the children who might otherwise be placed in foster care. Project AFFIRM provides parenting classes, a family visitation program, a “Survivors of Abuse” support group, a relationship support group and life skills workshops. Through the family visitation program, mothers are able to continue to strengthen the bonds and attachments with their children. Family Dynamics provides transportation for the children and their caregivers to attend these visits. All of these services are free.
Mothers in Transition
We provide services to women/mothers who have been released from Bayview Correctional Facility to help them transition back into society. Our counselors help these women find housing and work, assume parenting responsibilities and locate needed resources. We also offer follow-up services – helping newly released mothers maintain contact with their children and continue building on the mother-child relationship established while the mother was at Bayview.
Mentoring Program
The Family Dynamics Mentoring Program matches young professionals with children ages 7 through 12 for fun and educational outings. The mentors, all volunteers, serve as as great role models for the children they mentor, taking the kids to a variety of museums and events throughout the city year-round.