Hosting it's second annual Family Dinner Project night, the Summit Area YMCA's (SAY) Togetherhood™ Committee held another successful event to build community relations in conjunction with the Central Presbyterian Church (CPC). Families were invited through the SAY's large network and this time, with the CPC connection. The goal of the Family Dinner Project is to encourage families to improve their family dinner time together.
Over the past 15 years, research has shown what parents have known for a long time: Sharing a fun family meal is good for the spirit, brain and health of all family members. Recent studies link regular family meals with the kinds of behaviors that parents want for their children: higher grade-point averages, resilience and self-esteem. Additionally, family meals are linked to lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, eating disorders and depression. We also believe in the power of family dinners to nourish ethical thinking.
Now, through this movement, families will come together to share their experiences and insights to help each other realize the benefits of family dinners together.
10 families came with their children to the CPC auditorium where Volunteers and 6 youth from Fountain Baptist Church encouraged games, crafts, and interaction. The family meal was catered by Tito's Burritos in Summit.Togetherhood™ volunteers guided the children in creating and serving ice cream desserts to their parents while Reverend Greg Davis, of the Fountain Baptist Church and Togetherhood™ member, led the parents in conversation to find ways to improve their family dinner time together. It was a great hit!
For more information on the Family Dinner Project visit https://www.thefamilydinnerproject.org
Watch for ways that YOU can Volunteer for the Togetherhood™ at the Summit YMCA, visit www.thesay.org/volunteer
Learn more about the Togetherhood™ program at www.thesay.org/togetherhood
Our next volunteer opportunity to give back to the community will be on December 15th! the Summit Area YMCA's Togetherhood™ program is partnering with Summit Helping Its People (SHIP) to offer our members volunteer opportunities serving and/or cooking meals to the homeless and less fortunate members of our community. For more information, click below:
Holiday Cookie Walk Bake Sale - December 8
Feeding Those in Need - December 15
For more information about Togetherhood™, please contact Lisa Meyers at
(P) (908) 273-3330 ext. 1186
(E) lisa.meyers@thesay.org