Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign.
[00:00:07] Hey, hey, hey. This is Philip Clark. And welcome back to Just say Something podcast.
[00:00:14] Today we're recognizing a very special occasion, National Family Day, which takes place on September 22nd.
[00:00:25] Now, if you've been following just say something for a while, you know how much we believe in the power of family.
[00:00:32] Families, whatever shape or size they come in, are the foundation of a young person's growth, choices and opportunities.
[00:00:42] And National Family Day gives us all a chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate the truth.
[00:00:50] Family Day started a few years ago as a way to highlight the importance of of family dinners.
[00:00:57] Just sitting down together, talking, sharing a meal.
[00:01:02] Research shows that kids who regularly eat meals with their families are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like underage drinking, drug use, or even skipping school.
[00:01:17] But over time, National Family Day has grown into something much larger.
[00:01:24] It's really about everyday connections we make at home. It's about listening.
[00:01:31] It's about supporting each other and building trust.
[00:01:36] And here, just say something. That's exactly what we do through our Strengthening Families program.
[00:01:43] If you're not familiar, Strengthening Families is an 11 week program we provide free of charge to families in Greenville and Spartanburg counties.
[00:01:53] Is for parents and children between the ages of 6 and 17.
[00:01:59] And it's designed to help families do a few simple but powerful things.
[00:02:07] Listen more, yell less, prevent behavior problems before they start.
[00:02:15] Keyword prevent.
[00:02:18] Improve communication and bonding.
[00:02:22] Build effective parenting skills. And no mom or dad, we're not telling you that you're doing a bad job.
[00:02:29] We just know that there are some tools out there that can help you out and then help kids feel more confident in school, in themselves, and in life.
[00:02:43] Every week, families come together. Sometimes in English, sometimes in Spanish, depending upon which cycle you're in.
[00:02:53] We share meals.
[00:02:55] They learn new skills.
[00:02:57] They practice them in a safe, supportive environment.
[00:03:02] And the results are amazing.
[00:03:07] And actually, to see, those families from week one to week 11 are like night and day.
[00:03:15] Parents tell us they feel more connected to their kids, and kids tell us that they feel like their parents are actually listening and hear them. And the research backs it up. The program reduces truancy, delinquency, and underage substance use.
[00:03:37] So what does this have to do with National Family Day?
[00:03:41] It's simple. When families spend intentional time together, they grow stronger.
[00:03:47] And when families grow stronger, communities grow stronger.
[00:03:51] Think about it. Every conversation at the dinner table, every game night, every walk in the park, every how was your day?
[00:04:02] These small moments add up.
[00:04:05] They create a foundational trust.
[00:04:08] They give young people the confidence to make good choices when faced with tough situations.
[00:04:15] They remind parents that they are not alone in this journey.
[00:04:20] That's what National Family Day is really about. It's about carving out time, even in our busy schedules, to say families come first.
[00:04:32] So today I want to challenge you.
[00:04:35] Don't just let September 22nd slip by as another date on the calendar, but do something intentional with your family.
[00:04:45] And it doesn't have to be complicated.
[00:04:48] Cook dinner together, play a board game together, take a walk together, put the phones away and just talk.
[00:04:59] And if you're already doing these things, that that's great. Keep it up.
[00:05:04] If not, Family Day is the perfect time to start.
[00:05:10] If you're listening and you're a parent, or if you know a family with children between the ages of 7 and 17, I want to invite you to check out our next Strengthening Families program session. You can visit our website, just say something sc.org or for upcoming dates and registration details.
[00:05:33] Even if you think your family doesn't need help or need a program like this, I encourage you to think about that again.
[00:05:43] Every family can benefit from spending intentional time together and learning new tools.
[00:05:52] And if you're someone who wants to support families in our community, we we'd love to have your involvement, too.
[00:05:59] Whether that's volunteering, spreading the word, or making a donation, you can be part of helping families grow stronger.
[00:06:10] So as National Family Day approaches, I want you to remember this.
[00:06:15] Strong families don't just happen.
[00:06:19] They're built moment, moment by moment, choice by choice.
[00:06:25] September 22nd is a great reminder to put family first.
[00:06:30] But let's not stop there. Let's carry this spirit into the weeks and months ahead.
[00:06:38] From all of us that just say something, thank you for being part of this conversation.
[00:06:44] Together we can raise stronger kids, build stronger families, and create stronger communities.
[00:06:52] I'm Phil Clark, and this has been another episode of Just say Something podcast.
[00:06:59] Be sure to, like, share and subscribe.
[00:07:03] Now go spend time with the people that you love.
[00:07:08] Until next time. We'll see you later.
