By By ANNA M. LEE Managing Editor
For the second year in a row, Hope Place has received funding to continue a program that offers solutions to troubled teens and their parents. This year, the Parent Project will be funded by a $35,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
"We're so excited to get this back again. This is a project for strong-willed and out-of-control children and their parents," said program coordinator Angie Johnson. "We give parents the education they need to make their homes better."
The 10-week program meets once a week on Tuesday nights for two to three hours at Hope Place, and parents and teens engage in activity-based learning separately. The last session included 18 parents and 16 teens from throughout the county.
"Our class last summer was very successful. Our slogan is 'Give us 24 hours and it will change your life,'" Johnson said.
Families may be court ordered to attend the program or referred through the Brewton or Escambia County school systems or the Department of Human Resources, but any family is welcome to attend. The most recent session began this week on Tuesday night, but Johnson says families may still register and begin the session this coming Tuesday.
"This is not therapy, it's education. We give parents solutions, not just suggestions," Johnson said.
Promotion for the Parent Project has been airing on local Channel 6 in the form of a 30-minute segment about the classes. More information on the program can also be found at www.parentproject.com, or parents can call Hope Place at 867-4686 to register.