by Michael Karpman
Cities and towns across the country will participate in National Family Week, November 20-26, 2005.
Celebrated for more than 30 years, this week gives communities the opportunity to honor the connections that strengthen families. That?s why this year?s theme is ?Connections Count.?
These connections include:
? Relationships within families and between families and their communities.
? The roles played by policymakers, neighborhood organizations, businesses, nonprofits and other community networks and institutions in supporting families.
? Community efforts to promote economic self-sufficiency, dependable transportation, reliable child care, accessible health care, applicable education and training and affordable housing.
This week offers municipal officials an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to helping families thrive.
Efforts are being coordinated nationwide by the Alliance for Children and Families, with support from hundreds of nonprofit organizations, including NLC.
For example, this year Bart Peterson, mayor of Indianapolis, Ind., will host a Family Strengthening Summit in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation?s ?Making Connections? initiative and Family Service of Central Indiana, Inc.
In Jacksonville, Fla., city officials will discuss issues of concern to families with representatives of community agencies, school boards and law enforcement at the Family Counseling Service?s 3rd annual family forum.
In 2004, the City of Chicago, Ill., promoted financial and tax information services provided by Tax Assistance Centers in community papers in conjunction with National Family Week.
The Parks and Recreation Youth Services Department of the City of Roanoke, Va., invited seventh- and eighth-grade students and their families to a family dinner with games and music.
Municipal leaders can get involved in this year?s National Family Week in many ways:
? Participate in a family summit or forum in which area leaders and residents can discuss issues of importance to the community and address local concerns;
? Issue a proclamation for National Family Week;
? Speak out on behalf of child- and family-strengthening objectives;
? Elicit support through the news media;
? Serve as a judge in a family-oriented art or essay contest; and
? Advocate for a family-friendly initiative and time it to coincide with National Family Week.
Details: For more information on participating, visit www.nationalfamilyweek.org.
An NLC toolkit for local officials seeking to address the needs of families, titled ?Strengthening America?s Families: An Agenda for Municipal Leaders,? is available at www.nlc.org/content/ Files/IYEF-FamilyStrengthenReport.pdf, or leave a message at (202) 626-3014 to request a hard copy.