What does family unit mean to you?

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Family is i of Exist Strong Families core values, first with respect for and appreciation of others no matter how sometime, how young, where they come from, what they've experienced, where they are, how capable they are, how healthy they are, who they love. It extends to individual'southward choices of who they call family – what intentional, meaningful relationships they form. Our value of family unit extends to customs and to sisterhood and brotherhood . Although we are united past this value, family unit means something dissimilar to each of us. Hear from our Board of Directors what family means to them:

"My family is and has been supportive in helping me heighten my children. They represent the foundation of who I have become in life. It was my aunt and uncle who drove me around looking at colleges as a high school student and encouraging me for higher teaching. My grandparents financed my college didactics. My family has e'er been there for me, in good times and non so good times. If it wasn't for my mother, I am not certain where I would be today. Since I got divorced 12 years ago, my mother has helped me financially to stay in my home and run across the needs of my growing kids."

- Nina Aliprandi (Lath Chair), Director of Programme Services, Maryville University

"Family unit for me represents the foundation of self, and a unity of acceptance, unconditional sacrifices, joy, support and love that is built on a continuum of resilience, and journeying in humility from the past, current and futurity generations."

- Sandy Baba, Ph.D., Educational activity Researcher

"I feel family goes across bloodlines, last names or obligations. To me, the word 'family unit' includes all the people in our lives who commit to dear and support us unconditionally. It is non a passive birthright but a choice, a field of study of kindness that helps usa thrive both every bit individuals and equally a guild."

- Fernando Barcelona, President / Creative Director, Barcelona and Friends

"Holding on as one

Roots rich with stories of life

Ancestrally linked"

- Denise Boston, Ph.D., Dean of Diversity & Inclusion, California Institute of Integral Studies

"Family, broadly and inclusively defined, is the foundation for individual and community health, well-beingness and prosperity.  Let'south join together to strengthen families, nurture positive relationships, and promote resilience and hope."

- Anne Douglass, Ph.D., Founding Executive Director, Institute for Early Education Leadership and Innovation and Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts

 "For me family unit is so much more than just the people I am related to, my family also consists of a supportive and caring group of friends who I can laugh and weep with. Without the strength of community, I feel that I would not accept as much hope to be the parent and person that I strive to be."

- Kassia Eide (Board Secretary), SPARK Family Date Coordinator, Fox Valley United Fashion

"I look at family as those who care nigh you the about and desire to see y'all grow and flourish. Helpfulness, respect, health, integrity and cooperation are my core values; my family unit understands my values and I empathise their values. Through agreement of each other'southward values, we arrive at a mutual respect and back up. People with open hearts and a willingness to accept you lot for the human that y'all are. Even when things get incorrect and crisis faces you, you tin can always depend on family. Family brings you back to your values and helps you brand good decisions."

- Kenneth Krantz, CFP® APMA®, Financial Advisor, Grezlik, Krantz, and Associates Ameriprise Financial

 "To me a family is whoever I tin depend on for back up, to laugh with, to play with, and to share the challenges and rewards of life with."

- Beth Lakier, Chief Operating Officeholder, Chicago Commons

"Family means having someone to love you unconditionally in spite of y'all and your shortcomings. Family is loving and supporting one another fifty-fifty when it's not easy to do so. Information technology'southward being the all-time person you could be so that yous may inspire your love ones. Family doesn't see color, race, creed non culture it sees centre. Family isn't always most being connected biologically, because understands that other things and influences bind u.s.. Family is unrelenting, it'southward secure and reliable. Family unit isn't just important, it's what is most of import!"

- Marvin Lazenbury, MHS, Associated Director of Housing, Bucks & Montgomery County Valley Youth House

 "I used to tell this to my kids when they were younger, 'Our family is like Noah's ark. The outside globe may sometimes feel chaotic or harsh or overwhelming, like a alluvion. In our family, we desire to create an ark for each other — where nosotros're safe and protected and feel a sense of belonging, loved, cared near, taken intendance of and protected.' They got information technology and that's the world our family is."

- Naomi Mark, LCSW, Director of Educational Programs for the Office of Workforce Development at NYC'south Department of Social Services

 "My honey for my family, my desire for them to exist proud of me and my decisions, is my life's compass. I hope to accelerate the organization'south mission through my time and judgment. I consider serving on this board as something of a civic duty, in addition to a challenging and enjoyable feel."

- Scott Reinglass, JD (Board Treasurer), Assistant Managing Attorney, Hartford Fiscal Services Group, Inc.

 "Family unit always feels nearby. The closeness is never adamant by distance or fourth dimension. Frequent gatherings develop into mutual back up. And occasional visits enrich lives with gratitude. Family is comfort; it is home. What is near important: I decline to limit family to a group or place. I am passionate about strengthen all communities. I believe, the foundation is respect and delivery and creating cherished moments."

- Antoinette Rice-White, Community Parent Leader, Foster Parent, and Kid Care Provider

 "Building stiff families is a self-preservation strategy for any rational and sane society. An enlightened society is one which supports all of its members in reaching their full potential as human beings. I believe nosotros can become true architects of our destinies rather than mere captives of our fate, of our past. This liberating model allows for true freedom as each segment of society takes responsibleness for itself and for our extended human family. It is a strengths-based and wellness model which leads to evolutionary growth, resilience, and evolution towards the higher reaches of human nature. It is a vision of hope, based on the most powerful force in all of nature: dearest."

- Carl Totton, Psy.D., Professor of Psychology, Phillips Graduate University

 "Nosotros are family."

- Katthe Wolf, MA (President), Founding Partner, and CEO of Exist Potent Families

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