Voices of parent leaders
Sharing the Journey
Sharing the Journey: Voices of Parent Leaders was created by the parent leaders of the FRIENDS National Center Parent Advisory Council (PAC) who work in their communities and nationally to help family support and child abuse prevention practitioners and organizations.
The resources include the 2022 collection of thirteen audio stories, and the 2017 collection of twenty audio stories. Spoken with his/her authentic voice, each parent shares a unique story of how their lived experiences or parent leadership journey has positively impacted their personal growth and the well-being of their children, families, and community. These vignettes may be used to increase public awareness or as tools to support training for staff, network members, partners, parents, and other key prevention stakeholders about the value of meaningful parent engagement and involvement.
Illustrated Versions
A story about asking for help by Vadonna Williams.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/just-ask-utilizing-resources-can-make-a-difference
A story about resilience and empowering other parents by Eileen Graham.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/unstoppable
Una historia sobre la importancia de un padre como factor de protección.
An illustrated story about parents and grandparents working together to parent children by Dawn.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/grandparent-co-parent-story
An illustrated story on fathers and parent engagement by Sam Blue.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/sam-blue-wagon-story
A Caring Adult Makes a Difference in a Child’s Life
Known as “My Secret Life” – Beth’s story has won 3 Telly Awards for 2019. They include:
Gold Telly in Social Video: Fully animated piece
Silver Telly in Social Video: Public Service and Activism
Bronze Telly in Online: Fully animated piece
For more information about the Telly awards, visit http://www.tellyawards.com/winners
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/caring-adult
2022
A story about loving yourself through trauma by Marcela Henao.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/self-love-heights-is-possible
A story of advocating for yourself as a non-custodial parent by Elizabeth Reddick
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/showing-up-as-a-noncustodial-parent
A story about a parent’s journey with a child with special healthcare needs by Heather Stenson.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/a-brigther-future-for-all-children
A story about kinship caregiving and not being afraid to ask for help by Valerie Lebanion.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/asking-for-help
A story about resilience and empowering other parents by Eileen Graham.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/unstoppable
A story about the acknowledgement of the importance of healing by Joanne Hodgeman.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/healing-to-lead
A story about co-parenting by Melissa Zimmerman.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/co-parenting-gave-me-hope
A story about fatherhood and accessing services by David Armstrong.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/making-the-invisible-visible
A story about asking for help by Vadonna Williams.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/just-ask-utilizing-resources-can-make-a-difference
A story about adoption and working with the foster care system by Anntoinette Johnson.
To download the audio version of this story visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/god-has-a-sense-of-humor
A story about the importance of fathers by Michael Cupeles.
To download the audio version of this story, visit: https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/the-importance-of-a-father-as-a-protective-factor
2017
A story about working with practitioners as a support and partnership by Sam.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/working-with-practitioners
A story about parents and grandparents working together to parent children by Dawn.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/grandparent-co-parent-story
A story about neglect and its impact by Dawn.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/story-of-neglect
A story about the cycle of abuse and prevention by Jill.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/stopping-cycle-abuse
A story about primary prevention by Eliza.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/primary-prevention
A story about how parents can advocate for themselves and others by Jill.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/parent-voices-make-difference
A story about the journey of a parent leader by Beth.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/parent-leadership-journey-beth
A story about mentoring Parent Leaders by Eliza.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/parent-leadership-by-eliza
Una historia sobre los hijos en español de Fátima.
Para descargar la versión en audio de esta historia, visite https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/my-son-spanish
A story about sons by Fatima.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/my-son-english
A story about parent leader mentorship by Eliza.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/mentoring-parent-leaders
A story about the role grandmother’s can play by Sam.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/grandmothers
A story about the journey to parent leadership by Eliza.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/leadership-journey
A story about taking care of family by Bruce.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/kinship
A story about her personal journey by Jessica.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/friends-jessicadial-story
A journey about parent leadership by Dena.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/friends-denahillman-story1
A story about daughter’s and how they can be impacted by Dena.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/friends-denahillman-daughter
About father engagement by Sam Blue.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/sam-blue-wagon-story
Talking fatherhood by Bruce Bynum.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/fatherhood
Abogando por mi hijo como madre en español por Fátima.
Para descargar la versión en audio de esta historia, visite https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/advocating-son-spanish
Advocating for my child by Fatima.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/advocating-son-english
A story about how a caring adult can impact the overall journey of a child.
To download the audio version of this story, visit https://soundcloud.com/user-616990317/caring-adult