The Strengthening Families Program, which is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has just celebrated an important milestone. It has served our community for 15 years.

This impressive undertaking helps local sixth-graders prepare to cope successfully with some of the challenges they may confront during their junior high and high school years. Sixth-graders in all four Fort Dodge schools — Fort Dodge Community School District, St. Edmond Catholic School, Community Christian School and St. Paul Lutheran School — are eligible to participate. Doing so is voluntary. The youngsters and their parents or caregivers all take part in a seven-week curriculum.

The goal is to strengthen family relationships. It teaches children to use their family values to help them deal with peer pressure. It also strives to help both the adults and the young folks learn ways to make their family unit stronger by improving the quality of the interactions and communications in the home. It recognizes that youths need to know how best to resist the negative peer pressures that all too often lead to risky behaviors. A key concept is that the family plays a critical role in that process.

According to an overview of Strengthening Families included on the ISU website, the scientifically tested curriculum:

• helps parents/caregivers learn nurturing skills that support their children,

• teaches parents/caregivers how to effectively discipline and guide their youths,

• gives youths a healthy future orientation and an increased appreciation of their parents/caregivers and

• teaches youths skills for dealing with stress and peer pressure.

Locally, Strengthening Families is funded by the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way, as well as by donations from local businesses, churches and service clubs.

The Messenger strongly supports Strengthening Families. It’s hard to imagine anything more important than helping maturing youngsters develop the values and orientations that will make it possible for them to navigate life’s sometimes hazardous course appropriately. We congratulate everyone who has helped make the last 15 years such a stellar success for this program and look forward to the contributions it will make far into the future.