Family Strengths Network Executive Director Jen Demas speaks to Kiwanis Club members. Courtesy photo

BY BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos

At the November 4 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos, Jen Demas, Executive Director of the Family Strengths Network (FSN), presented an overview of the organization, its goals and accomplishments.

FSN is a broad scope family resource for the community. Their Resource Center on Orange Street is open Tuesday through Saturday with the mission to provide families with a place to meet and build a community. They provide access to other community resources as well.

The Center runs three support groups. Birth Talk is a community talk circle for pregnant women and mothers to learn about and discuss options in pregnancy and childbirth. The Loving Trans Families Together provides support for famil members of someone who is trans, gender queer, or gender nonconforming. The Grandparents and Kin Raising Children care group meets to discuss challenges associated with kinship care.

Programs for children include Toddler Tunes, designed to engage children in music and movement; Move With Me, encouraging movement and developing motor skills; Family Yoga, for parents and children together; and Toddler Craft for messy fun and fine motor skills. There are also once-a-month Play Dates and periodic field trips. The Center has a popular toy lending library.

Their biggest community event is Lucky Ducky Days with games, fun and food. It is popular, with 870+ people attending last year. At Christmas time, they will again have gingerbread house building. A clothing swap is held twice a year (spring and fall).

Demas noted that because of increased participation and need, the FSN is outgrowing their space. Nevertheless, she is excited about trying new projects andactivities and solicited any new ideas.