Parent Encouragement Program

Parents who use an encouraging and positive parenting approach help their children grow up to be confident and resilient. For more than four decades, PEP has trained parents and caregivers to do just that. Its 8-week program uses a peer-led model that convenes small groups of parents living in under-resourced communities. Parents discuss topics like managing anger, supporting their children’s mental health, and setting limits – as they role-play with each other, they learn to adapt parenting strategies to their own familial and cultural contexts. Critically, facilitators are graduates of the program who create a non-judgmental space where parents feel less alone. School and community partnerships and an online platform make PEP’s tools and approaches more widely available. By building long-lasting connections between parents and children, PEP ensures the confidence and wellness of the next generation.