About Heart & Hope
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Nevada's domestic violence rates are some of the highest in the nation. Needs assessments in Elko and Churchill Counties showed that domestic violence prevention is a high-priority issue. Children living in violent homes are at greater risk for abuse. Research shows that as children witness violence at home, they develop attitudes about violence and power in relationships that can pass to future generations. Children who witness violence also experience problems as adults, such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, and increased tolerance for and use of violence in relationships.
Extension's Heart & Hope: Family Violence Prevention Program, led by Extension Educator Jill Baker-Tingey, works to spread awareness and prevent violence in Elko County in three ways:
- Prevention education for surviving families
- Community education
- Law enforcement training
Building Hope for the Future
A family violence prevention program for families who have previously experienced domestic violence
The Heart & Hope program provides parents and children with resources and skills to strengthen family relationships and build resilience. Parent survivors of former domestic violence and their children ages birth -18 may be eligible to participate. This nine-week education program includes a light meal, separate skill building activities for adults and children, and family activities to practice skills together. Program topics include communication, emotions, problem-solving, healthy relationships, stress management and more. For information, contact Julie Woodbury at 775-340-8360 or woodburyj@unce.unr.edu.
Program Purpose: To provide parent and child survivors of past domestic violence with resources and skills to strengthen family relationships.
Program Goal: To decrease domestic violence in our community.
Heart & Hope Family Violence Prevention Program meets weekly for 9 weeks, two times per year (in the fall and in the spring)
Each workshop includes:
- Welcome
- Family meals
- Separate parent, teen, youth and children’s meetings
- Family –based activities
- Take-home activities
Workshop Topics:
- Adults
- Teambuilding
- Communication
- Child development
- Parenting styles
- Guidance
- Emotions
- Problem-solving
- Healthy relationships
- Strengthening families
- Children, Youth, Teens
- Teambuilding
- Communication
- Self-efficacy
- Feelings
- Feelings
- Empathy
- Problem-solving
- Friendship skills
- Strengthening families
Who can participate in Heart & Hope?
- Adult and child survivors of past domestic violence
- Additional groups may include:
- Adults who have custody of children who have been exposed to domestic violence
- Parents who were exposed to domestic violence as children
Building strong families
Families engage in nurturing and trust-building activities that encourage positive family interactions.
Encouraging positive relationships
Children, youth and teens participate in activities geared for their age. Children, birth to 3 years, play, read books and sing together. Children, ages 4-8 years, learn about feelings, solve problems and play with new friends. Youth, ages 9-12, and teens, ages 13-18, learn to communicate respectfully, use tools to calm down, make good decisions and build healthy relationships.
Moving forward
Kids learn to recognize and manage feelings, build positive friendships, make good decisions, care about others and solve problems.
“I was so lost before this program. I felt like a failure of a woman and mother. This program has helped me regain my sanity and confidence that I can do this.” – Heart & Hope parent
Having fun together
Group activities and Family Night Out events provide opportunities for parents and kids of all ages to have fun together, learn positive skills for family interaction and encourage curiosity and imagination.
"The different topics helped my family grow closer and healthier together." -Heart and Hope participant
Learning new skills
Parents learn to actively listen and communicate with family members, reduce stress, calmly solve problems, maintain healthy relationships and guide children, youth and teens.
“My family has really enjoyed coming to class each week and learning new tools. This class has brought my family closer together. We are much more aware of how we treat each other.” – Heart & Hope parent
Connecting with others
Families engage in fun activities to help build supportive networks, learn about community resources and make new friends with other families in the program.
“It has taught me how to deal with stressful situations, the power of communication, and the importance of family time.” – Heart & Hope parent
Planning for a positive future
Parent survivors and their children who have experienced domestic violence gain skills to strengthen their family
Contact Heart & Hope Today