Community events/ Family Coalition
Community events/ Family Coalition

Growing Happy, Healthy Kids with HOPE: April Family Coalition Recap

On April 17, we welcomed an incredible group of families, caregivers, and community partners to our Great Start Family Coalition Meeting focused on Growing Happy, Healthy Kids – The Power of Positive Childhood Experiences. The room was full of energy, connection, and meaningful conversation.

Our theme centered around the HOPE Framework (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences), a research-based approach that highlights how everyday moments—sharing a laugh, helping with dinner, feeling safe—can help children grow into healthy, resilient adults.

We explored the Four Building Blocks of HOPE:

  • 💬 Relationships – Safe and supportive relationships within the family and with other children and adults
  • 🏡 Environment – Safe, equitable, and stable environments where children can live, learn, and play
  • 🎉 Engagement – Opportunities for social and civic engagement to develop a sense of belonging and connectedness
  • 🌱 Emotional Growth – Opportunities for emotional growth where children feel supported through difficult events and emotions

💡 Presenter Jennifer Lange, LMSW, Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator at Livingston ESA Preschool, shared practical tools and research that helped us see just how much these building blocks matter—and how accessible they are in everyday parenting.

🎲 We played the Moments of HOPE Game to spark connection and reflection, and invited families to share their voices. Here are just a few things GSFC members said they want most for their children:

“Confidence.”
“Connection.”
“Kindness.”
“Safety.”
“To know they are loved, no matter what.”

🍽️ A heartfelt thank you to Agapé City Church for sponsoring our meal and to Torch 180 for preparing and serving a delicious dinner. And as always, we are deeply grateful to our amazing child care team who make it possible for parents to fully engage during our time together.

💻 Explore the Resources

We’ve added slides, handouts, and tools to a new Padlet you can revisit anytime:
👉 https://padlet.com/GreatStartLiv/gslhope

You’ll find:

  • The full slide deck from Jennifer Lange’s HOPE training
  • Family-friendly printables
  • Reflections & suggestions from coalition members
  • A link to order a GSFC T-shirt
  • And more!

✅ Want to Get Involved?

If you’re looking for ways to partner with Great Start Livingston to support families raising children ages 0–8, check out this post:
👉 Partner with Us

📅 Upcoming Events

  • May 1 – Family Fun on a Budget | Register now
  • June 16 – Books & Beats concert at 2|42 Community Church
  • June 19 – Family Picnic in the Park 🌳
📚 Families working together to explore the HOPE Building Blocks—this slide focused on creating safe, stable, and equitable environments for children to live, learn, and grow.
✨ Jennifer Lange, LMSW, from Livingston ESA Preschool led a powerful discussion on Positive Childhood Experiences and how we can create more of them through relationships, engagement, and emotional support.
👥 A full room of parents, caregivers, and community members committed to raising strong, resilient kids—together.
🥪 A huge thank-you to Agapé City Church for donating our meal and to Torch 180 for preparing and serving it with love. Families were nourished in every way!
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