New School Year with Help from Community Partners

As the new school year begins, Extended Family is working with
counselors and administrators at schools and juvenile diversion programs
to identify students for our groups and create a schedule which will
begin in August and run through next spring. Our staff of nine program
leaders will lead forty groups across four counties with the goal of
reaching every child who needs us.

Extended Family for Kids (EFK) and Extended Family Leadership Academy
(EFLA) are character development programs that equip children with
essential life skills and healthy coping strategies. Each weekly lesson
is thoughtfully designed and delivered by trained staff, with support
from volunteers and community partners who are committed to enriching
the lives of our students.

These programs are made possible through generous support from civic
groups, private donors, and grant funding. Local contributions are
critical to our ability to serve students in need, and we are deeply
grateful for every donor.

A key to our success is meeting with students during the regular school
day, eliminating barriers such as transportation or scheduling conflicts
for families. School staff, including administrators, counselors, and
support personnel, help identify participants, provide meeting space,
and ensure academic schedules remain uninterrupted.

Community involvement enhances the impact of the programs. Popular
lessons like “Cops!” foster positive connections between students
and law enforcement by creating a safe space for open, respectful
interaction.

Volunteers play an essential role, some assisting with logistics and
student support, with others sharing their professional journeys,
inspiring students to dream big. Over the years, we’ve welcomed
judges, coaches, business owners, and even video game developers to
connect with students based on their interests.

Together our staff, along with schools, donors, volunteers, and
community leaders, are working to break the cycle of incarceration,
prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system, and deliver
the powerful message to each child: “You matter.”

To learn more or get involved, visit www.extendedfamilyhelp.org [1] and
help change one life, because it’s never just one life.