Anthem Strong Families began 15-years ago as a dream and recognition by community leaders that families must be fortified for communities to thrive. “Families are the building blocks of our community. The collective strength of families translates into the quality of our education, the strength of our economy and the safety of our streets. When […]
Many times, when we think of CHAMPIONS we think of sports figures. For instance, Mohammed Ali is considered the greatest boxer in history. We may be reminded of the Super Bowl and the World Series or the greatest hockey and soccer players. Yogi Berra of the New York Yankees won 10 World Series; Bill Russell […]
Families are the bedrock of communities. We have many conversations about the social ills in our world and culture today but what we learn, celebrate and teach our children in our families is how they will view the world. Children learn most everything they know from their parents. If they’re parents are loving toward each […]
At Anthem Strong Families one of our goals is to break cycles of generational poverty through resiliency. We know that one of the ways to reduce poverty and empower families is to offer pathways to work. Often in under-resourced communities surviving day-to-day is the overriding mindset that makes it difficult to see or plan for […]
Mothers are like superheroes. Actually, in the eyes of their children, they really are superheroes. Mothers can fix every bruise and scar. Miraculously the science project gets delivered at the right place and the right time; and somehow cookies appear for the school Valentine’s Day program. There are two old sayings about motherhood that accurately […]
We hear the statistics. 46 million Americans live in poverty and Dallas County has the dubious distinction of having the highest child poverty rate in the nation.
Many of us have assumptions about poverty. Poverty is not just a lack of material resources. One can be poor in relationships or community assets. Poverty is a mindset of lack and it affects the very soul of people and communities. Anthem Strong Families in concert with UNITE Dallas hosted THE COST OF POVERTY EXPERIENCE (COPE). More than 40 people “walked in the shoes” of a family living in poverty or an under-resourced environment. The 3-hour interactive event offered a glimpse into the lives of low-income individuals and their families. This experience was eye-opening for many of the individuals there, including those who thought they understood what an impoverished person’s life is like. We heard, “even though the resources were there I felt myself spiraling…” and, “in trying to navigate the resources I kept asking myself, ‘how am I going to pay for this?”
COPE offers a snapshot of the obstacles that are faced, the decisions that are made, and the consequences that impact families every day. COPE also reveals how the policies and systems within our community help, or hinder, the progress of these families. It’s complicated and can even be life-threatening. The easy thing to say is, “Why don’t they just get a job?” However, it’s much more complicated than that. Anthem Strong Families will host another COPE in the near future. But, in the meantime we ask that you examine your thinking and check your assumptions. As we heard in our experience, “The over-committed can miss a few deadlines. Dieters can take a break from their diet. The busy can take vacations. One cannot take a vacation from poverty” (Mullainathan 2014).
Through our classes and mini-clinics we provide tools to help under resourced communities navigate through life. Whether it’s grief, bullying or understanding more about how to handle money and grappling with depression or stress. Our view is that when we are strong our communities are strong, and poverty affects the essence of that. Please visit www.anthemstrongfamilies.org for more information. And, stay tuned. Another COPE is on the horizon.
We hear the statistics. 46 million Americans live in poverty and Dallas County has the dubious distinction of having the highest child poverty rate in the nation. Many of us have assumptions about poverty. Poverty is not just a lack of material resources. One can be poor in relationships or community assets. Poverty is […]
Anthem Strong Families’ TYRO CHAMPION DAD PROGRAM is one of the most integrated fatherhood initiatives in the State of Texas. The program restores lives, reconnects fathers with their children and empowers fathers to be their absolute BEST for their children and families. To be CHAMPIONS. Graduates from the program become TYROS– a Latin word […]
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. At Anthem Strong Families (ASF) we are advocates and champions for families. We, as a community must be intentional about combating domestic violence and become CHAMPIONS for change. Everything begins with the strength of the family and domestic violence is one of the many indicators of family brokenness. […]
My husband, Paul, and I were in private practice together more than 20 years. We were determined to help people obtain a clearer vision of how to navigate the rough waters of life and relationships. That passionate desire eventually led to the birth of Anthem Strong Families (ASF), as well as, walking the halls of […]
It’s difficult to believe that we are preparing for back to school! Other than the temperatures soaring, it seems like the days of summer have passed swiftly. But, here we are, making lists, shopping for school supplies and clothes, looking at the fall school activity agenda and being reminded of how to instill the best […]
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