STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
ANCHOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Strengthening Families is an interactive, family-centered program designed to help caregivers and young people strengthen their relationships, improve communication, develop healthier parenting and coping skills, and create lasting positive changes within their families.
Applications Are Now Open for Our
October 2026 Fall Cohort
Anchor Family and Community Services is seeking families who are motivated to make positive changes, open to learning and practicing new skills, and willing to participate consistently in our 14-week Strengthening Families Program.
Strengthening Families is an interactive, family-centered program designed to help caregivers and young people strengthen their relationships, improve communication, develop healthier parenting and coping skills, and create positive, lasting changes within their families.
Every family has strengths. Every family can grow.
Is your family ready to communicate more effectively, grow closer,
and develop practical tools for managing everyday challenges?
Could the Strengthening Families
Program be right for your family?
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Would you like to improve communication with your child?
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Would you like to build a stronger, more positive relationship with your child?
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Would you like to learn better ways to manage conflict and disagreements at home?
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Would you like to learn effective parenting skills and establish healthy boundaries?
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Would your family benefit from spending more positive, quality time together?
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Would you like to help your child develop skills for managing emotions and making healthy decisions?
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Would you like to connect with other parents and families in your community?
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Are you willing to participate in a program where caregivers and children learn, practice, and grow together?
If you answered YES to one or more of
these questions, the Strengthening Families Program
may be a great fit for your family!
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
We welcome families who:
• Have children or teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17.
• Want to improve communication and strengthen family relationships.
• Are experiencing parenting, behavioral, emotional, school, or relationship challenges.
• Are open to learning and practicing new skills together.
• Can commit to attending and actively participating in the full 14-week program.
• Are motivated to build a healthier and more connected family life.
Families do not have to be in crisis to participate.
This program is for families who recognize areas in which they would like to grow
and are ready to work together toward meaningful change.
WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL EXPERIENCE?
Each weekly session will include:
• A shared family meal
• Separate, age-appropriate learning groups for caregivers and youth
• Practical parenting and family-relationship skills
• Youth communication, emotional-regulation, coping, decision-making, and resilience activities
• Guided opportunities for families to practice new skills together
• Encouragement and support from trained program facilitators
PROGRAM DETAILS
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Fall Cohort Begins: October 2026
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Program Length: 14 weeks, with a planned holiday break
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Ages: 9–17 (some 8-year-olds may be considered when appropriate)
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Meeting Day: Tuesday evenings
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Meeting Time: 5:30–8:30 PM
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Location: Columbia, South Carolina
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Cost: FREE! There is no charge for participating families.
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Because this is a family-centered program, participating caregivers and youth are expected to attend consistently, arrive on time, and actively participate in weekly activities.
ARE YOU READY TO
STRENGTHEN YOUR FAMILY?
Take the first step toward stronger communication, healthier relationships,
and a more connected family.
Please complete the Family Interest and Application Form below. Submitting an application does not automatically guarantee enrollment. An Anchor representative will contact eligible families to discuss the program, answer questions, and explain the next steps.
GIVE AND PARTNER WITH ANCHOR
Help us provide family meals, transportation assistance, childcare support,
program materials, youth activities, and community outreach.
GIVE: Make a direct impact in the lives of local families.
SPONSOR: Support a cohort, event, or program need.
PARTNER: Collaborate with us to build stronger communities.