Parenting is challenging at times (and sometimes very often) – for all parents.
If you’ve watched friends have kids (or have kids of your own), you know how important the first few months of an infant’s life can be. Connecting parents to resources and supporting them with physical needs is crucial.
Acknowledging this and offering support makes it easier for parents to accept help. Offer resources, such as SafeCare or Nurse Family Partnership. Both of these programs, offered through Humboldt County Public Health, work with new families, or growing families and offer lots of support and resources.
Help to reduce silence and isolation. Be that person people reach out to for support.
Offer to babysit for a friend’s children so that parents can enjoy a night off.
“Fill in” for a family member when they can’t attend their child’s recital or soccer game.
Get to know the families that live around you.
Meet the kids and talk to the parents so that they know you are there if they ever need help.
Social connection and social support are the cornerstones of family well-being and child safety.
Contribute to concrete support for families.
Donate goods at Lots 4 Tots in Eureka, Youthability in Arcata, or Dream Quest in Willow Creek.
Need more information? Reach out for assistance.
Connect families to any of the 20 Community Pathway Sites, where resources can be accessed and referrals made to services supporting families.
Be a resource to families.
Get to know resources in your area so you can be a source of information for families – including your friends. Help connect parents with specific needs to the appropriate organization. Offer to contact the group yourself to make reaching out less intimidating.
Find local resources in the Humboldt Community Resource List and the North Coast resource Hub.
Learn how to intervene in a situation where you are concerned about domestic violence.
If you’re concerned about someone’s safety, reach out. Contact Humboldt Domestic Violence Services, they can provide help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers advice for friends.
Learn about how to support a survivor of abuse or neglect by referring them to healing resources. Though based out of southern California this organization has ties to Humboldt and are experts in delivering virtual therapeutic services in both English and Spanish.
Share Family First on Facebook and spread the word that there are ways to get involved.
Resources for Friends
