“What Foreign-Born Parents Face Today” –

Saheli’s workshop focuses on immigrant parents’ challenges

Raising a child can be an uphill venture, albeit a rewarding one. However, immigrant parents, who are raising their children in an environment that differs from that of their own childhoods, face unique challenges.

 

Saheli, an organization that empowers South Asian women and their families to live safe and healthy lives; and Lexington Community Education, a part of Lexington Public Schools that provides life-long learning opportunities to all; are cosponsoring a free workshop that will focus on those very challenges that immigrant parents face. “This is the last of the parenting workshop series funded by a grant from CHNA 15,” explains Supriya Saurabh, president of Saheli. “We greatly appreciate their generous support.” CHNA 15 is a partnership that works with its stakeholders to improve the health of member communities.

 

Interactive opportunity

The interactive workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 26, at Lexington High School, Room 235, 251 Waltham St, Lexington, MA 02421. From 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Maya Ragavan, MD, Pediatrician, Boston Medical Center; and Uma Chandrika Milner, Ph.D., Psychologist, Lesley University and BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, will moderate the discussion.

 

“Parents will receive an opportunity to share their experiences with other parents, learn innovative ways to address everyday issues by using research evidence, stories and humor,” adds Savitha Rajiv, co-executive director of Saheli. They will hear about ways in which immigrant parents can deal with day-to-day predicaments, such as:

 

·         What if the dominant culture’s values do not support the parent’s goals for the child?

·         What if the child wishes to become something that the parent does not deem to be worthy?

·         What if the child’s career choice causes discomfort to a parent?

·         What if the child’s teacher sees a problem in the child that the parent does not see?

Workshop moderators will provide insight, tips and tools designed to help immigrant parents bridge the cultural gaps that would help them raise successful children.

 

Registration

To register, send an email to info@saheliboston.org or call 1-866-472-4354.

Saheli

Saheli has a unique standing among communities with South Asian backgrounds living in the Boston area. Founded in 1996, the organization offers free services to empower South Asian