In 2019, B.A.B.E.S., Inc. implemented the 14-Week Strengthening Families Program. The SF curriculum provides guidance for parents and their children, exercises to practice at home, as well as real-time experience during the workshops. This evidence-based curriculum will: (1) be life-changing for all involved, (2) significantly reduce child abuse and neglect in our communities, and (3) help our communities grow much stronger, as families are strengthened.
Parents learn to meet children where they are, to understand appropriate age behaviors, and to ignore or address certain behaviors. Children learn to improve communication skills, to create good behaviors, and to develop their coping and problem-solving skills.
Each program participant will complete the Strengthening Families parent education workshops. Active program participants are eligible to receive Economic, Educational, and Emotional Wellness support services from B.A.B.E.S., Inc.
To enroll in the Strengthening Families Program, please click the button below to access and complete our programs pre-qualification form.
We accept referrals from social workers, therapists, counselors, teachers, and other service providers. Please complete our Referral Form and submit it to our administration team via fax or email (listed on the form).
B.A.B.E.S., Inc. offers free respite care to registered program participants as a way to help alleviate stress. Registered families contact us once per week to schedule a time for their “positive time away”. During this “break”, the children are cared for in a structured, educational environment that includes healthy meals and snacks. Parents utilize this free time to rejuvenate.
Access to a sufficient supply of diapers is essential for infant health. Without enough diapers for routine changes, parents feel distressed and find the job of parenting more stressful. As a Fox Cities Diaper Bank partner, B.A.B.E.S., Inc. distributes diapers on a bi-monthly basis to our registered, low-income families.
On a monthly basis, active program participants with B.A.B.E.S., Inc. are eligible to receive a care package. Care packages include hygiene items, cleaning products, toilet paper, and paper towels (while supplies last). Care Packages are valued at $30-$50.
The WM’s Project is designed to assist young parents returning to school or continuing their education. Often, as parents pursue the knowledge and skills necessary to move into living-wage jobs, there is a gap in care for their children. The WM’s Project helps fill the care gap by providing a warm, safe, nurturing environment for their children, while parents pursue self-sufficiency.
Thinking Cap is a tutoring program available to students as young as 1st grade. This free service is open to the community and provided each academic semester on Monday and Wednesday evenings; from 6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Starting Point 2.0 and Empow HER are free programs designed to help women ages 18-29 with financial planning skills, empowerment, and career planning that will lead to further education and/or a new career. These programs are open to both single mothers and women without children. B.A.B.E.S., Inc. delivers the children’s educational component of the SP 2.0 program, in collaboration with the Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley Region and Fox Valley Technical College. Both Starting Point 2.0 and Empow HER are offered each academic semester. To apply, visit www.fvtc.edu/women.
Engaging in family-fun is a key to healthy familial relationships. To assist families with this area of their growth and development, B.A.B.E.S., Inc. hosts two family events each year: Takin’ It Outside (June) and Christmas Holiday Activities (December). These events are designed to provide families an opportunity to have fun together, for free!
Young parents often need support, encouragement, and guidance. The Skill-Building sessions at B.A.B.E.S. are conversations between program participants and our community counselor. During these sessions, parents discuss strengths, goals, and how to improve themselves and their family. Once a family completes the Strengthening Families workshops, a Family Development Plan (FDP) is created. The FDP then becomes the primary focus during the Skill-Building conversations.
Parent support groups are offered quarterly. These group sessions are facilitated by our community counselor, to allow parents the opportunity to express themselves and find camaraderie with their peers, as they endeavor to provide the best childhood experiences for their children. Support group discussions cover various topics such as: parenting, discipline, communication, and interpersonal relationships.
At B.A.B.E.S., Inc. Child Abuse Prevention Program, our volunteers are the backbone of what we do. We count on them to fill roles throughout our organization. This includes everything from teachers’ helpers in our respite care to facilitators in our Strengthening Families Workshops to assisting with cleaning and other light office duties. In addition to these ongoing roles, we also count on volunteers for special events throughout the year including our annual fundraiser, Holiday Workshops, and other special events.
To stay up-to-date on the latest volunteer opportunities, or to learn more about becoming a volunteer with B.A.B.E.S., Inc., please look for us on getconnected.volunteerfoxcities.org. We’re always looking for great people!
I’ve been a participant with BABES since 2018; receiving countless care packages throughout the years and I have always felt welcomed and safe coming through their doors. My family and I have recently completed a Strengthening Families Workshops course and it has given us so many skills to better communicate with my child and as a unit overall. Thanks for all you do! – Skylar
Christmas toys, care packages, S.F. workshops, and respite care. I am thankful for all the many things I have received from B.A.B.E.S. I am also grateful for the US2 Behavioral therapy sessions. Having an adult to talk to when dealing with my anxiety and depression has totally helped my mental health. – Davis
