June 2018
Families participate in a workshop on the "Love Languages of Children" at Glory Chapel International Cathedral.
Strengthening Families
With The 5 Love Languages

Words of Affirmation. Acts of Service. Receiving Gifts. Quality Time. Physical Touch. While many refer to these "five love languages", that were developed by Dr. Gary Chapman , in the context of marriage, their significance also spans to the way children express and receive love.

"Children receive love emotionally, Chapman explains. "but because they are all different, we must pay attention to their individual needs. We must learn to speak our children's [love] language if we want them to feel loved."

At Glory Chapel International Cathedral , leaders recognize that without healthy families it is impossible to have a healthy church and community.

Because of this, the children's ministry leaders at Glory Chapel set out to help parents and caregivers of the young children they serve learn about their children's emotional needs, the importance of parent-child relationships, and ways they can use words and actions to build strong relationships with their children.

Backed with a grant from Urban Alliance through its Thrive initiative, a one-day workshop was offered, and more than 20 families took part.

"I was encouraged to see families at our church come together to learn how to strengthen their relationships with their children," shared Jessica Sanderson, children's ministry co-leader at Glory Chapel. "It is the first time we had an event that involved both the parents and children in this way."

"We began the workshop by providing a Biblical framework for loving our children," explained Sanderson.

What followed was an overview of The Five Love Languages, examples of how to love children using each language, group discussion and an activity where each parent and caregiver committed to one way they will express love using their child's love language.

"The Love Language Workshop was enlightening and an opportunity to reflect on the needs of my children. The leaders did a great job presenting the information and giving examples of how to communicate in my children's love languages," shared Esther Gonzalez-Torres. "I'm practicing what I learned and observing my children's responses. I love learning new ways to develop a relationship with my children."

Grant support from Urban Alliance helped the ministry provide lunch, childcare and books for parents and caregivers to take home.

"UA support was integral," said Sanderson. "The lunch created an opportunity for children and their caregivers to complete the love languages quiz and enjoy time together. Without childcare, many of the families would not have been able to attend. By providing books to take home, it gave parents and caregivers the opportunity to continue building on the information they learned at the workshop."

Because of the overwhelmingly positive response they received, the church plans to offer more workshops based on topics most requested by the families they serve.

"We're excited that our children's ministry has the opportunity to strengthen families in our church and community." said Sanderson.

For more information about Urban Alliance's Thrive initiative, click here or contact Rosaicela Rodriguez , Urban Alliance's Director of Implementation, Children & Youth Initiatives.

Did You Know?
Through Urban Alliance's Beyond the Basics initiative, churches and parachurch organizations have the opportunity to receive training, tools and grant funding to help the people they serve through their basic needs programs set goals, connect to appropriate resources and take steps towards achieving their goals.

With support from UA, churches and parachurch organizations can provide one-on-one case management services, facilitate a community resource center or simply interact with people while their basic needs programs are in operation.


For more information about this opportunity, participating in Beyond the Basics, or about the next upcoming Case Management Training on July 25 and 26, contact Angela Colantonio , UA's Director of Implementation, Health & Basic Needs Initiatives .
Charis Training Provides Tools to Effectively Facilitate Support Groups
Would you know what to do if a member of a support group dominated conversations, initiated arguments, or provided unsolicited advice?

On May 24, 25 people from 15 churches and parachurch organizations in the UA network participated in a training, facilitated by Urban Alliance and offered through Charis, to help them continue to learn and improve their group facilitation skills.

Attendees left with several resources including, assessments to evaluate learning preferences, listening skills, and communication skills, as well as two books.

For more information about participating in Charis, contact Angela Colantonio , UA's Director of Implementation, Health & Basic Needs Initiatives .
Congrats, Next Generation Grant Recipients!
Congratulations to Glory Chapel International Cathedral and Triumphant Church of God , who were recently awarded scholarship grant funding through Urban Alliance's Next Generation initiative. The scholarships will subsidize the cost for youth from their churches to participate in The Hartford Project (THP) , an opportunity for middle- or high-school youth groups to join together with other youth groups from Connecticut, to learn and serve in the Hartford community, and build new relationships.

For more information about participating in Next Generation, click the button below or contact Rosaicela Rodriguez , UA's Director of Implementation, Children & Youth Initiatives .
Are You a Case Manager?
Are you a certified case manager? Are you looking for an opportunity to help people who are facing homelessness gain greater stability in their lives?

Consider volunteering with a local basic needs program by providing timely, effective, equitable and client-centered care, helping clients make informed decisions, act as their advocate, and help them explore options for reaching their goals.

Click the button below or contact Rosa McGuire , UA's Volunteer Manager, for more information about this opportunity.