Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) recognizes that there are times in the life of every family that demand more than most parents can bear alone. Though circumstances may require different kinds of help, we know that all families face the need for strength, warmth and support coupled with practical, user-friendly information that can help parents succeed at the world?s most important job.

So Parents Place was born.

Located in a comfortable Victorian in the heart of San Francisco, Parents Place started modestly in 1975 with a mother infant support group. Gradually we grew ? group by group and service by service. Today, Parents Place is a nationally-recognized full service family resource center for families with children of all ages. Parents Place offers a wide array of services to help build strong, effective families as parents guide their children to adulthood. Services include a diverse curriculum of parent support groups, classes and workshops, as well as a mobile program that brings support groups and workshops to parents at their worksites. Parents Place sponsors groups for single mothers, fathers, divorced parents, adoptive parents and blended families. The Father Support Project specifically reaches out to serve low-income dads by providing groups, workshops and counseling focusing on economic development and parenting skills. Parents Place also houses a drop in playroom, a parenting library with a selection of videotapes, and the only child care and community bulletin board of its kind to help match families and caregivers.

Parents Place is a ?home away from home? that helps parents raise healthy children. Emphasizing prevention and early intervention, Parents Place provides comprehensive, results-oriented mental health services for children, teens and their families. Through individual counseling, play therapy, socialization groups, family therapy and consultations to parents, Parents Place gives families access to the tools they need whenever they need them. Parents Place also provides consultation, staff training, prevention and early intervention services to licensed, early childhood programs that serve low-income children and families.

Because your child never stops evolving, neither does Parents Place. Our outreach to preadolescents and teenagers in the community includes programs that keep children involved and in-touch as they grow. The On The Mark Mentor/Tutor program provides one-on-one tutoring for students ages 8-18 from public and private schools. Serving both émigré and American-born youth, trained volunteers create a supportive environment to help students improve academic skills and explore career interests.

You are doing something important for your family at Parents Place. Our unique people and services make us the Bay Area's leading family resource center, providing a place for education, prevention and treatment services for children of all ages, their parents, teachers and caregivers. Serving more than 3,000 families annually, Parents Place has extended its reach over the past several years to service Marin County and the Peninsula. Parents Place is pleased to nurture our community and excited to grow with our families toward a bright future.

For more information, contact Kenny Altman (415) 359-2455 KennyA@jfcs.org.