Connecting Families to Health & Wellness

Operation Shoestring’s parent initiatives connect holistically with our Project Rise parents and other family members to support their current needs, create spaces to express and be themselves, and start on the path to realizing their dreams. Many of our parents have told us through surveys, focus groups, and conversations that the health inequities within our community have been a significant barrier to achieving their goals. To connect families with the health services prioritized by families, we partner with clinical health providers, community health organizations, and other key stakeholders to help create an ecosystem of support for the families in our neighborhood. 

Participants in our program this year took part in nutrition education workshops, classes taught by a physical therapist, and therapeutic counseling sessions. The majority of the program’s participants reported feeling more confident about nutrition, exercise, and managing their mental health. For example, they reported feeling more in control of managing their mental health, more informed about how to cook healthy meals, and having more agency over navigating their health than they previously believed.

One parent told us that by participating in Shoestring fitness classes, she found herself better able to “decompress” after work and caring for children, and that, in turn, resulted in her feeling like she was thinking more clearly and experiencing less stress. Another parent told us that she was grateful to have participated in our parent program because it gave her “the opportunity to do something for myself, and get the support I need.”

At Operation Shoestring, we believe in supporting the whole family. From wellness workshops to family social nights focused on fun and creating friendships, our family support program works to empower all members of our Shoestring community.