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Christine-Evette Ngeve, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA, Owner of Peak Potential Journey and soon to be: Dr. Ngeve! Written by Student Blog Contributor: Bea Woods Bea is a student, leader, and multi-sport athlete at Page High School. Bea interns at Arboro Empowered and serves as an ongoing teacher assistant for Arboro's Workday and Summer Camps. As a student athlete, I find it hard to show weakness because weakness leaves you vulnerable to rejection. Throughout my life, I have dealt with the struggles of showing vulnerability, and it has affected my communication with coaches and my ability to give myself a break. I recently had an opportunity to interview Christine Ngeve, the owner of Peak Potential Journey and a PhD student for Sports Psychology. She helps student athletes out with balancing both their sports and school life, and also helps student-athletes understand who they are outside of their sport through her workbook and one-on-one sessions with the student athletes. During the interview, she taught me many important lessons about the importance of knowing when to give yourself rest and the struggles of admitting when you are hurt. For ten years of my life, I did gymnastics. I started when I was two, and when I was six, I was enrolled in the TOPS program at my local gym. TOPS is a program where the best gymnasts on the team go through harder training to reach higher and higher levels of competition. There, in order for me to fit in, I had to deny both pain and fear. Gymnastics is a sport built on having to be the best version of yourself, on weeding out the weak, and receiving constant critique of failure. Constantly being around people who would never show fear or admit when they needed to stop made me adopt that samehabit quickly in order to fit in. One of the earliest memories I have of gymnastics continued to teach me that it was not okay to show vulnerability. When I was six years old at practice, I remember I broke down into tears and headed straight to the lobby. An 8-year-old girl with poofy hair followed me out. “You’ve got to man up,” she said in her high, squeaky, but very bossy voice. When she was eight, she seemed very big and important, so that’s exactly what I did. I stifled my tears, put on a brave face, and continued to project invincibility for a very long time. Ten years later, showing vulnerability is something that I am much better at, but I know that there are many student athletes that are still afraid to show any signs of weakness. One part of showing vulnerability is admitting when you are hurt. I had a stress fracture and was out of sports for four months, and when I had to tell my coaches I had gotten a stress fracture, I was very afraid. Christine understands how this feels after competing for her college in three different sports. She said, “It is very hard to tell your coaches about injury, but you have to think about the longevity of it. If you were to have kept going and you did not feel 100%, would that really help with your long-term goals?  No! Injuries are part of the game and are not something that you did on purpose. They are part of being an athlete. You need to advocate for yourself and know that there are other people on the team.” This advice is something that I wish I had been told sooner, and I think many athletes need to be told this advice. It might be scary and hard to tell your coaches that you are injured, but learning how to be vulnerable is crucial and will make speaking with them much easier. Christine also gave some important advice about knowing when to stop versus when you need to push through. Sometimes, struggling with vulnerability means denying yourself rest. Knowing when you really need rest vs when you are just being lazy is a difficult skill to master. “I like to call it 'reading your gas tank,” says Christine. “I put it in perspective that if you are at 'empty' with five miles left in you, and you try to study, you will not retain anything. It is best to give yourself that break and come back to it. However, if you are really at half a tank, give yourself a basis of what that means. Do you have 30 minutes left or 45? You need to understand where you are in order to know how much you can keep going.” Christine also has advice about burnout. She says, “ Burnout is real. You need to know how your body feels physically and how you are doing mentally and emotionally. Know that sports will always be there. I stopped sports back in 2019, but now the door is opening back to sports as I am a coach. Stopping is just part of your fingerprint; it isn’t your whole general makeup. You need to listen to your body to know when it is time to take a break.” The most important thing that I learned through my journey of vulnerability was that even though it felt scary and intimidating to admit I needed help or needed to rest, every time I asked, there were always people there who were willing to help me. My friends, family, and coaches were always there for me throughout the good and the bad. I know that many other student athletes also experience the struggles of being vulnerable, so I wanted to share that even though it is hard to open up, you will benefit so much by doing so. “To share your weakness is to make yourself vulnerable; to make yourself vulnerable is to show your strength.” -Criss Jami, author Interested in partnering with Christine for your student-athlete, yourself, or your team? Email us at hello@arboroempowered.com , and we will get you connected with Christine for a consultation! Readers- In the comments, respond to a connection you have to this post or one of the prompts below: About a time you would have benefited more from allowing yourself to be vulnerable rather than 'toughing it out.' About a way you plan to practice vulnerability How you model vulnerability for your family What you remember about life as a student- athlete

That don’t involve screens... plus two that do. By Jenna Gilfillan, M.Ed. Little Leo and Little Harper on a snow day back in 2018- Jenna and Lindsay's kids - who are now in 3rd grade! Tent Takeover- I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t love building tents. The best part of tent-building is that it takes forever to build and they play inside the tent afterwards!  Worth taking over a room for the day. Be the hero and give the kids extra sheets, clothespins, and cushions. Watch out though, it might be too fun not to keep building it with them.  Science Experiments-  There are plenty of fun projects with immediate results and wow factors.  However, there are even more lessons to be learned from long-term experiments including a much-needed skill- patience! Try out a gross-out experiment such as putting 3 slices of bread into individual plastic bags, then placing them in three different environments- perhaps one goes in the refrigerator, one goes in a cabinet, and the third goes outside. Which grows mold fastest? Why? Not into the ick factor? Try planting seedlings and doing the same process as the bread! Schedule weekly check-ins either way. Kids can chart and draw the changes they notice!  Flashlight Fun-  Bundle up and venture outdoors! Send those kids outside with headlamps and flashlights in the backyard, even after sunset. Have you ever heard the phrase “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”  This Scandinavian mentality originates from places where it’s colder and darker than what we are used to! Imagine the memories they will make, not to mention the much-needed physical activity.  Chances are you’ll be able to supervise them (depending on the kids) from the warm side of the window by watching their lights!  For more ideas of screen-free inspiration, read Jenna’s book Rain, Rain You Can Stay- available on Amazon . Email hello@arboroempowered.com  for a personalized, autographed copy!  Sometimes screen time is more for us adults than it is for the kids (shhh- don't tell them that!). If the screen is what we need, here are two ways to make the most of it. Stick to the slow-paced shows. Avoid rapid scene changes. Here are some shows that pass the slow-pace test. According to a 2011 study in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, " Just 9 minutes of viewing a fast-paced television cartoon had immediate negative effects on 4-year-olds' executive function. Parents should be aware that fast-paced television shows could at least temporarily impair young children's executive function." The same is true for screen-based apps and games. Try Khan Academy Kids for a slower version. PBS Kids has some great skill-based apps as well! Interactive channels for the win! Here is a favorite that Lindsay introduced us to a few years ago- Mo Willems Lunch Doodles Give the kids a marker and plenty of paper for these episodes. It's fun to do with your kids too! Pretty please monitor and supervise any time on YouTube- ya never know what might pop up. Gift Shop Items Perfect for Cozy Winter Play - Hand-selected by our specialists! Order online and pick up at Arboro or ship to you. Valentine's Day is in one month by the way... Crayon Rocks- Selected by Rachel Burgess, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist specializing in Fine Motor Development Pick your puzzle from this awesome collection! USA, World Geography, Periodic Table, or Art History (the Periodic Table is about 50% finished on my kitchen table right now). Like Magnatiles, but better. This STEAM toy was our biggest hit this year! Choose from the big pack or a small pack. Tip: The big pack can be split into two smaller ones easily for a better deal. Elevate (wink wink) your Floor is Lava game with these aesthetically pleasing stepping stones, stack them to make a stool, and flip them over to become bowls for playing restaurant. We have 3 more sets in stock! What are your favorite winter weather tools, hacks, and activities? Comment below!

Thank you to Jaimie Irvan for being a part of our parent interview. We are so thankful for your family to be a part of our boro' ! Read on to learn how Arboro empowers their family. How did you learn about Arboro Empowered? A friend told me about Arboro when it first opened, but I didn't research it right away. A few months after that, another friend was raving about how great it was, so I decided to try out a class for my 6-year old. It was the best decision we made! Arboro has been his favorite place to go ever since.  What has been your experience at Arboro Empowered? I'm a homeschool mom of 2 boys (plus a baby), so I'm with my kids A LOT. I love how Arboro gives me the chance to drop them off and be assured that they are receiving quality instruction, being challenged academically, and making lots of new friends. Out of all the activities we participate in, Arboro has always been the favorite with my kids. They think about things, they create, they discuss, and they also give me a little time to be alone. :)  What three words describe the culture and community at Arboro? Open, engaging, honest   What skills or experiences is your child gaining in their classes at Arboro? Learning to think critically, deal with new situations, disagree respectfully, and make friends  How do you feel empowered as a parent at Arboro? I feel some of that homeschool burden of "doing it all" lifting away because I know I have a community of people who are dedicated to teaching my children.    What’s your favorite way to spend your time while your kids are in classes? Before the baby was born, I would curl up and read a book, or go run errands without distraction. Now that the baby is here, I spend time with her! There's a nice trail near Arboro that we like to walk in. I also use some of the time when one child is in Arboro to work individually with the other one.   What would you say to a parent who is on the fence about signing their kid up for their first class? Do it! There are lots of options for all age groups, and everyone is so nice! Try out one class one day a week, and see how it goes. No pressure . . . but you'll love it!   Interested in signing up your child for a class... email us at hello@arboroempowered.com to schedule your first free class! Also, check out our events page for more empowering events at Arboro you can sign up for!

by, Chloe Greenfield Mandel, MS, AL-P Owner of Mandel Fitness Hi everyone! I am thrilled to get started working with the families of Arboro and getting to know you all in the kitchen and on the field.  As a personal trainer, I have always been passionate about how fitness and wellness can fit into a person's life no matter their age, ability or experience level. In high school, I played volleyball, basketball, soccer and ran track. This love for movement translated into teaching group fitness at East Carolina University while completing my bachelor's in Health Fitness. While there, I managed a gym for kids with a focus on making exercise fun and teaching them the importance of nutrition and how to healthily fuel their bodies. Research indicates that the more involved children are with preparing their own foods, the more likely they are to consume it. I witnessed this firsthand teaching kids how to make silly face sandwiches, build-your-own trail mix to learn the food groups and portion sizes, as well as exploring new fruits and vegetables at the grocery store.  After graduating, I went on to work at a wellness resort in Western NC where I met people from all over the world who wanted to experience wellness and fitness holistically. I lead fitness classes, educational seminars, meditations and hikes. The skills that I gained from there directly translated into my approach for coaching clients. It is most important to me that individuals understand how movement and exercise fuels their brain and body and should not be experienced as a chore.  From there, I moved to Buffalo, NY to get my Masters in Exercise Science and complete research regarding workload capacity. Through my research project and TA position for undergraduate students, I knew I had a love for educating. This gave me the insight that my true passion is working with individuals seeking autonomy, education and freedom of movement. I relocated to Greensboro after graduating and worked at a local gym until I had my sweet baby boy. After having Oliver, I realized that my priorities had shifted and I wanted to train and educate clients while still being able to be home with my baby.  That is why I started Mandel Fitness. I offer remote and in-person training sessions for women at every stage of life. I am here to be a reliable and safe resource to women whether they are pregnant, postpartum, going through menopause or simply wanting to feel healthier and more confident in their own skin.  I am so excited to work with all of you at Arboro and provide a safe and fun environment to exercise and teach your kiddos how to prepare yummy simple snacks! I hope to see you all at the Grown-Up & Me Snacks and Circuits event or the Grown-Ups only Workout!  What is your favorite healthy snack? Comment below!

From a Pediatric Feeding Therapist Post by: Amanda Flowers, MOT, OTR/L; Empowering Early Eaters, LLC Whether you start with purees or follow baby-led weaning (spoiler alert: either, both, or a combination is fine!), follow these tips to help make your transition to solids easy peasy.  Want to learn more? Let’s meet! KNOW WHEN TO START Look for these readiness signs (usually around 6 months): Interest- signs of curiousity about food Ability- Able to reach and grasp objects and bring them to their mouth Strength- Strong head control and able to sit upright with little support GIVE BABY INDEPENDENCE If you are spoon feeding: Wait until baby gives you eye contact and opens their mouth to accept the spoon. Sit so you are eye level in front of your baby. NEVER force feed. Let baby bring a loaded spoon to their own mouth. Small silicone spoons work well. Bring extra spoons to the table! Leave foods directly on their tray for self-feeding MAKE SURE BABY IS SUPPORTED BY THEIR CHAIR Use a supportive feeding chair that allows me to sit completely upright and easily reach their tray. Opt for high chairs with an adjustable footrest.   LET THEM BE MESSY Messy hands and faces are good for the development of their sensory systems. INTRODUCE FOODS THAT REQUIRE CHEWING BY 9 MONTHS Reflexes are present to help baby learn to chew safely. So even if you start with puree, start solids by 9 months. Start with soft foods that mash easily between your fingers. *Always follow the nutritional and readiness guidelines recommended by your pediatrician **Be aware of the signs of an allergic reaction. Remember, reactions don’t typically occur until a food is eaten more than once! ***Know what to do if your baby begins to choke. Make to sure to be CPR trained and ready to respond if baby needs you. Learn more and try new foods under Amanda's guidance! Sign up for our Baby Brunch today. Just in time for holiday meals! Grown-Up and Me Snack Lab- a Friday Snack Club facilitated by Amanda Flowers. The perfect chance to gain confidence and ask questions in a safe and supportive group environment! Click, "Request to Join" to let us know you're interested. New baby and caregiver friends included! Interested in booking a consultation with Amanda? Email hello@arboroempowered.com and we will get you connected! Stop by Arboro Empowered to shop for feeding products hand-picked by Amanda Flowers herself. Coming soon to our online store! 5415 Old Lake Jeanette Road, Greensboro, NC What questions do you have about starting solids? Comment below!

by, Amy Garcia-Andino, Arboro Intern Ana Velas is Arboro's beloved lead Spanish coach. Questions Answers by Ms. Ana What is one positive change you’ve seen happen at Arboro in its first year? The growth in children that attend Arboro by that I mean, seeing them actually enjoy learning.  What do you hope to see in Arboro’s future?  Many more children come through the doors and discover this amazing place. What are three words you would use to describe experiences at Arboro?  Exciting, Engaging, and Learning Why is Arboro a good fit for you? Arboro is set up in a way that you can use your creativity in just about any way possible to engage the children to learn. To me, there's nothing better.  If you could change one thing about the Arboro experience, what would it be?  Funding for every child that wants or needs to come to Arboro.  What aspect of Arboro services do you think makes the most significant impact? The arsenal of resources that Arboro has to help children achieve their maximum growth. How does Arboro empower you personally or professionally?  Personally, I just feel like it is priceless to be around children as they grow and learn all while having fun.  Can you tell us about a positive experience you’ve had at Arboro? I'm telling you the truth when I say I've had so many. But one that sticks out is when a child who didn't speak looked me in the eye with a big smile and said clearly, “Hola Miss. Ana.” There are just no words.  Ms. Ana works her magic every Wednesday at Arboro Empowered. She is a source of joy for our students who adore her and love the way she incorporates Spanish language learning through student-centered play. She also goes above and beyond to take care of her colleagues, regularly insisting on preparing everyone a home-cooked lunch! Registration for Ms. Ana's winter and spring classes is coming soon. Email hello@arboroempowered.com if you would like to pre-register or learn more about Spanish immersion opportunities at Arboro. Help Ms. Ana's dream for Arboro come to life by contributing to our Empowered Community Fund . Comment, Inspired by Ana when you donate and100% of those funds will go towards financial aid for families who need it!

A few questions for you... Comment with ideas, suggestions, and if we must have childcare....

Why we're not throwing a party Even though it's our first birthday. Arboro is our DIY labor of love. We Choose You We had big party plans in the works. It was going to be called 'Electric Garden Party' and feature a gorgeous glowing botanical theme complete with signature cocktails, flowers galore, live music, and a massive charcuterie table.   It would have been fun. Someday we will bring it to life and it will be a blast.   But we are entrepreneurs, who were formally teachers and are only one year into our small business. Our labor of love involved literal blood, sweat, tears, and a ton of new gray hairs (or as we call them, fairy hairs). It has been worth every pulled muscle, sleepless night, and every penny we've spent.   21.9% of small businesses fail before they hit their first birthday. We are thrilled to be celebrating continued growth on our first birthday! 50% of small businesses don't make it to their fifth birthday. We have plans for Arboro that go well beyond 5 years.   At Arboro Empowered, we help individuals and families thrive by equipping them with empowering experiences and resources. We know that when Arboro succeeds, our community succeeds. Not just because we are creating jobs and partnering with other local small businesses. But because the services we provide change lives, and there is nothing more motivating and important than that.   That's why instead of the party, we are investing in our community, Our Boro. How you can help Forward this to your network of friends and family. Tell them about Arboro and invite them to support our fundraising efforts. Click the image below or this link to enjoy a video telling the story of Arboro Empowered's first year! Thank you for being part of our journey. It means the world to us. Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna and Lindsay Comment below with other ideas to provide relevant and useful experiences for families in our second year and beyond.

Pictured: Arboro kids playing "Not a Box" and making memories. By, Maggie Grimes Growing up, like most kids, I always looked forward to summer.  Summers meant sleeping in, spending long days by the pool, beach trips, and summer camps.  Out of all of these, summer camps were my favorite!  I remember one in particular that I loved.  It was a sleepaway camp in the mountains of NC where you were able to pick electives to participate in during the week(s) that you were there.  Among the electives were swimming, archery, crafts, and high ropes - just to name a few.  I always loved the many options and the fact that I was going to be able to try something new. Although devices/screens weren’t as easily accessible back then as they are now (I’m an 80’s baby), I would’ve chosen camp over screens simply for the experience.  Camp introduced me to many things - sports, adventures, friendships - that I may not otherwise have experienced.  Screen time is something that is, in some cases, taking the place of these interactions and experiences. According to an article in the online journal, Cureus (June 2023), “. . .screen time reduces the amount and quality of interactions between children and their caregivers. . . Additionally, excessive screen usage has detrimental effects on social and emotional growth, including a rise in the likelihood of obesity, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.” As children settle into summer with more free time on their hands, consider how much time they spend on screens, whether at home or camp, and what effect it has on their behavior and/or mood.  If you feel your child is spending too much time in front of a screen, consider setting a timer to let them know when their time on the screen is up.  Before signing your child up for camp(s), ask if the campers have access to screens, and if so, what their policy is so you can be sure it's a good fit.  What other things can we try at home to limit screen time for children? This summer and fall, look to Team Arboro or Camp Arboro for screenless inspiration- from STEAM challenges, outdoor exploration, art projects, team-building activities, mindfulness, and literacy integration. In the end, choose experiences over screens.  Interactions with others and experiences are what shape us into the adults that we become. About the Author Maggie Grimes is a wife, mother, and former elementary educator of 11 years.  She lives in Wilmington, NC with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family by the pool, beachcombing for unique finds, and reading.  She hopes to continue to inspire and encourage a love for learning in all children. We want to hear from you! Comment below and keep the conversation going. What other things can/do we try at home to limit screen time? When we do offer the screen (no judgment- it saves the day sometimes), what digital resources offer open-ended creativity rather than passive consumption?

Let's cut to the chase. Moms are begging for a break, pampering, and most of all, the gift of being seen. Last month, we surveyed local moms on a popular local Facebook group, mostly moms of young children, in Greensboro and the surrounding areas. Over 400 votes were tallied asking Moms what they really want for Mother's Day this year. April 2024, Greensboro, NC Top 5 Requests Pampering Appointments- massages, manicures, pedicures Professional Cleaning- A deep clean of the house Alone Time- Breakfast in bed followed by a peaceful day of zero responsibilities (and full access to the remote) Acknowledgment- Heartfelt notes with specific details on their gratitude and love for me Gifts I actually want- Look for clues on my Amazon Wishlist or Pinterest Page A note to Mother's Day Gift-Givers: After analyzing the results, here is the ultimate in Mother's Day luxury*gifting: Book her a hotel room on an upcoming date for a solo stay-cation complete with room service meals and a massage. Explain to her, in detail, why she deserves it! While she's away, hire someone to clean the house and her car. More (financially) realistic versions of this would include: Take the kids out of the house for the day after making her breakfast in bed and leaving her heartfelt notes. Suprise her with a couple of items from her wishlist or items that have been lingering in her online shopping carts. Or Schedule a nail salon or massage appointment and, together with the kids, deep clean the house and her car before she gets home. Leave her thoughtful notes to find in the house and her vehicle. Most importantly, consider how mini-versions of these can take place throughout the year! One week to go- Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12th. A note to the moms: Now, Mamas, let's remember that while it's lovely to have someone else take care of us, there is no one better equipped for the job than ourselves. At least once a day at Arboro, we remind parents that taking care of ourselves is a way that we take care of our family. When we are at our best, we are able to parent with more patience and empathy. We are able to be more present with others when we are not preoccupied with ignoring our own needs. Mother's Day is a good excuse to practice scheduling self-care, but a holiday is not a prerequisite to prioritizing ourselves. When our kids are adults, do we want them to have healthy bodies, healthy minds, and healthy emotions? Of course, we do! Dr Luley often reminds us of the importance of modeling the behaviors we want from our kids. That includes modeling healthy eating habits, setting boundaries with others, dedicating time to exercise, practicing self-advocacy, and adding ourselves to the darn calendar! Take a look at your calendar. What is the ratio of appointments for family members vs. yourself? Is your yoga or kickboxing class actually on the schedule or just something you think you "should do one of these days." Do you have a therapy appointment coming up? Mental health maintenance through consistently scheduled therapy helps us keep our healthy habits strong. How frequently do you hang out with friends or enjoy a date with your partner? Put it on the calendar- today! Imperfect in Arboro, Jenna Gilfillan Arboro Empowered Co-Owner Maybe we can help get that calendar filled. Here are a few ways that Arboro offers self-care. Book a meeting with an Arboro coach or therapist. Gather your friends and schedule a private party. 'Just because' is a perfectly good reason and Arboro will take care of planning a fun experience for you. Schedule pampering appointments while your kids are at camp. Enjoy the solitude of our Grown-up Grove while your kids are in one of our classes! Sign up for Yoga for Caregivers! Add yourself to your schedule today. Links below! What are you waiting for? Forward this email to every dad you know! What would you add to the list of what moms really want? Comment below!

By, Christine-Evette Ngeve, MSW, Owner of Peak Potential Journey Being raised by a single mom I observed early what hard work, dedication, and strength eluded. Being an only child, sports were a central part of my life that allowed me to engage in friendships and socialization with other peers that I didn’t get all the time as an only child. I tried multiple sports and extracurriculars growing up including dance, basketball, jump roping, softball, volleyball, clogging, cooking classes, etc. As I got older, I had to choose which sports or activities I was going to continue. Volleyball and softball shaped my identity in profound ways. Fast forward to my college years where I attended Shaw University representing my school in not one, but three sports. Yes, you read that correctly, while receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I also was playing volleyball, softball, AND track and field. But it wasn’t just about the games for me; it was about using my platform to make a difference, both on and off the field. As a former athlete and Top 30 NCAA Woman of the Year Honoree in 2019, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of sports. One of my favorite quotes that I live by in helping students and student-athletes is from Dr. Dudley Flood who states “Children are not what you think they are..they’re not what they think they are..but they tend to become what they think you think they are.” Why does this quote matter? Because sports have the potential to be so much more than games. They can be a catalyst for positive change, empowering young athletes to become leaders, advocates, and role models in their communities. All of those characteristics are in addition to being a student-athlete. One unique thing about all of us is that our fingerprints can’t be duplicated. The idea I want you to continue to consider as your child goes through their journey in athletics—they are more than their sport and being an athlete is not their only identity. I challenge families to allow our student-athletes to have a purpose-based athletic identity. Helping your student understand their purpose which could include their culture, their character strengths, their relationships, and other gifts they have to offer in the world will cultivate their internal motivation for their whole self and not just their athlete self. The more constrained the story is, the more the person’s self-worth depends on their identity as an athlete (Search Institute, 2021). My passion relies on academic achievement and a whole person-driven focus for student-athletes. I invite you to attend my upcoming events at Arboro, including student-athlete study halls and Athletic Identity/Life After Sport Coaching. Join Christine-Evette at Arboro for her upcoming community event- Game Plan for Academic Progression. Post written by: Christine-Evette Ngeve, MSW LCSWA, LCASA Peak Potential Journey https://www.peakpotentialjourney.com/ Instagram: @peakpotentialjourney_ Parents, how do you think our community can better support and empower student-athletes to become leaders and change agents, both on and off the field? Join the conversation! Write your response in the comments below.

Local Support Networks for Families By Lorie Jones, M.Ed. Arboro Empowered Coach Recently, I received a text from a friend and mother to three beautiful children, that said “I need help! What child-development resources are there in Greensboro for young children and families?” She was frustrated and felt defeated. As a former teacher, she felt she should know how to help her child from her experience in the classroom, but felt like she was on a merry-go-round with phone calls from the school and the pediatrician. I quickly told her “Hang tight, Mama, we’ve got this..together!” It was then I had an “ah-ha” moment, that families aren’t always aware of the community resources that are available for children, and I was on a quest to help do a better job and create a post about different resources right here, in our ‘boro! I hope you will find the list below helpful and share it with your friends, classmates, and neighbors! We are ALL in this together; it truly takes a village to help raise a child. Don’t ever feel embarrassed to ask for help.  Trust me, as a mom of three and an educator, I am certain that someone else has had the same question and if not, we will work together to find a solution! First and foremost, Arboro Empowered is an incredible resource. We offer a variety of tools to help you and your child, from speech-language therapist, Ms. Nicole, to child psychologist, Dr. Luley. We offer individual coaching for parents, educators, and children.  Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out about class offerings, even if you haven’t seen a class for a specific need, we are here to help at Arboro Empowered! Resources compiled by Arboro Empowered Coach & Early Childhood Expert: Lorie Jones, M.Ed. What support networks have been helpful to your family?  Comment below and share the love!