Family Center

Parenting classes for those raising children ages birth through the teen years are scheduled throughout the year. Classes range in length from 4 to 10 weeks meeting one or two times per week. Two parenting classes, each for different age groups, are usually scheduled each quarter.

Parenting classes are provided in English and Spanish, and other languages when possible. All classes are free or very low-cost; scholarships are available as needed. Free child care is provided for all parenting classes.

For information on upcoming classes, check the SWYFS calendar or call the Parenting Class Coordinator at (206) 937-7680.

The Southwest Family Center offers free classes for adults who want to learn or improve their English speaking and reading skills. Classes are offered at beginning and intermediate levels and free on-site childcare is available for parents taking classes.

Please contact Marjorie Richards if you have any questions: (206) 937-7680 or mrichards@swyfs.org.

In 2008 the Southwest Family Center began a new English-learning class as a direct result of community input. In the ESL Sewing Class, students develop their English skills while working on a sewing project of their choice. By the end of the class students can read a pattern, describe colors and fabrics, give and read instructions, and name the parts of a sewing machine—all in English.

Please contact Marjorie Richards if you have any questions: (206) 937-7680 or mrichards@swyfs.org.

Program Family Statement
The Native American Advocate Program teaches traditional indigenous views about one's larger extended family. Beyond blood relations, family includes anyone a person seeks guidance from, trusts, and who provides consistency and a sense of belonging.

Focus
The program relies on traditional tribal values to help Native-American youth develop positive self-awareness and to understand their roles in the family and community. Young men in the program enhance their skills in:

• Effective social interaction
• Community service work
• Identifying and understanding internal colonization
• Decision making and problem solving

In keeping with Native American Traditional values, young men are engaged in positive, alternative, culturally-appropriate activities which may include:

• Elder support and activities
• Drumming and drumming events
• Arts and crafts
• Honor ceremonies
• Healing ceremonies
• Rite of passage ceremonies

Community Service
Youth who have graduated from the program may be involved in peer-leadership activities, where they assist other young men as positive role-models and mentors.

For more information on the program, contact Hiram Calf Looking: 206-937-7680 x218

The Parent Child Home Program is a home-visiting program to promote early literacy skills among very low income families with two-year-old children in Seattle. Children and their parents are visited twice weekly during the school year with books and toys. The home visitors model reading, playing and interacting with young children in ways that promote children's love of learning.

The program serves Arabic, English, Somali, and Spanish-speaking families. Eligible families are enrolled in late summer and early fall.

For information call Annie Soustek at (206) 937-7680.

Parenting can be challenging at times and families new to the United States face sometimes daunting barriers. Community advocates in the Family Center work with immigrant and refugee families to help them learn to navigate systems that are new to them, including medical, legal, immigration and school systems. Community advocates also work with families to help their children achieve success in school. Services are available to families who speak Arabic, Cambodian, English, Samoan, Somali and Spanish.

Services for Families with Children with Disabilities
Immigrant and refugee families with children with developmental disabilities are often unaware of community services available to them or are unable to access services due to language barriers. Community advocates work with families to support them in learning the complexities of access to services for children with developmental or other disabilities.

Call (206) 937-7680 for more information.

Iraqi Community Center staff work with Iraqi refugees providing advocacy and resettlement assistance, including help finding housing, employment, education and other basic services. Advocacy and interpretation are offered for Arabic-speaking refugees dealing with immigration, legal, medical and other systems.

A bilingual guide to southwest Seattle and Burien area services needed by refugees in the first 100 days of resettlement is also available.

Call (206) 937-7680 for more information.

The Native American Youth Program is a juvenile justice youth development project for high-risk Native American males ages 11-19 and their families. The program helps young men develop positive attitudes through community-based problem-solving and service activities.

The Native American Advocate Program teaches traditional indigenous views about one's larger extended family. Beyond blood relations, family includes anyone a person seeks guidance from, trusts, and who provides consistency and a sense of belonging.

Focus
The program relies on traditional tribal values to help Native-American youth develop positive self-awareness and to understand their roles in the family and community. Young men in the program enhance their skills in:

• Effective social interaction
• Community service work
• Identifying and understanding internal colonization
• Decision making and problem solving

In keeping with Native American Traditional values, young men are engaged in positive, alternative, culturally-appropriate activities which may include:

• Elder support and activities
• Drumming and drumming events
• Arts and crafts
• Honor ceremonies
• Healing ceremonies
• Rite of passage ceremonies

Community Service
Youth who have graduated from the program may be involved in peer-leadership activities, where they assist other young men as positive role-models and mentors.

For more information on the program, contact Hiram Calf Looking: (206) 937-7680 x218

Preschool is now offered at the Family Center in partnership with Sound Child Care Solutions. SWEL “Step Ahead” is a great new preschool for 3 and 4-year olds living in Seattle.*

There are many reasons to take advantage of the Step Ahead program:

• Prepares your child for Kindergarten
• High quality, culturally-enriched education
• Teachers are bilingual in English/Spanish and English/Somali
• Family Center staff also speak Cambodian, Samoan and Arabic
• Some spots in the preschool are reserved for families who have 3 yr olds
• Monthly tuition is $450 (FREE for families with 4 yr old child(ren)who meet income guidelines)

Children attend from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM OR 12:30-4:00 PM Monday-Thursday and eat lunch and snack at school Program runs from September to June and follows Seattle Public Schools schedule.

To enroll, call the Family Center at (206) 937-7680 or stop by our offices at 4555 Delridge Way SW.

*Children must be 4 years old by August 31 to be eligible for free preschool.

Step Ahead Guidelines and Eligibility