The Family Center’s mission is to create safer, more resilient families by supporting them in developing the inner strengths, life skills, and networks of resources they need to succeed. The Family Center’s approach is based on the family systems principle that people do not exist in isolation; they live in families (however defined) whose relationships can affect each other in both toxic and healing ways. Through recognizing and harnessing families’ strengths, our programs create changes that benefit all members, both individually and as a family.

The Family Center is committed to helping as many families as possible discover and nurture their natural strengths. To expand our reach beyond our local community, we maintain an active and growing training program, both at The Family Center in Somerville as well as at our Parenting Journey Training Institute in New York City. Our training evolves from our successful therapeutic approach: we develop curricula for training others in our unique models. Since 1993, we have trained nearly a thousand human service providers throughout New England and New York. In 2008, over 175 human service providers participated in our training program.

At the Family Center, we believe:

• All families have strengths they can tap to build a fulfilling life together and to support their individual members’ growth and dreams.
• By focusing on these strengths rather than on problems, we can help families discover their own path to wholeness.
• Families can be their own healers. With our guidance and support, they can draw on inner strengths, develop skills and reach out for the resources they need to succeed.
• Families need different supports at different times. We provide support services ranging from therapy to practical help developing parenting skills, finding a job, or even negotiating a lease.
• Families are the center of individual and community healing. No individual – and no family – exists in isolation. When families grow strong, so do the individuals within them and the communities they call home.