Recap of February 2010 FAST Project

On February 22, 24, 25 and 26 Sinergia held four pilot training modules to teach families and their children to become self-advocates as part of the FAST Project (which we talked about in our Feb. 17th post). The topics covered were: Employment – Getting and Keeping the First Job, Effective Parent Advocacy, Working for Change - The Power of a Personal Story, and The Journey to Adulthood: What Parents Need to Know. The trainings were presented by Lizette Dunn-Barcelona, Cassandra Archie and William Bird Forteza.

Even during the worst snow storms in New York City history 104 parents attended and participated in the four trainings, and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that was there.

Here are a few comments we received from parents during the trainings:

"The workshop was very empowering."


"I learned from this workshop I should to talk to my child about the difference between friendship and romance."


"Very effective in covering key information to help kids have a quality education."


"As a mother I need workshops like these to be able to help my daughter with issues wherever we find them."


"What I learned most was the attitude you need to have when you ask for something and to speak clearly and with self assurance."

"The whole concept of telling a personal story was great, useful in focusing on what is important about our children."