Learn More About Parenting Journey

Our Mission

Our mission is to fundamentally transform family and community wellbeing by centering on strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches that help families and communities thrive. 

We do this by developing and teaching life-changing strategies, fostering a collaborative network of individuals and institutions that implement PJ programs, and who advocate for better opportunities for families and communities. 

Our Vision

We envision a world where every family has the opportunity to thrive, a future where proven practices inform policies that unleash the unique potential within each family, fostering resilient communities.

Our Programs are modeled on our NEST philosophy

At Parenting Journey, we don’t just say that our parent-development programs are successful, we back it up with proven results. All programs are modeled on our NEST philosophy, meaning:

  • Non-didactic: programs are not aimed at teaching how to parent, they help to identify the strengths needed to parent
  • Evidence-based: our core program has proven to help parents transition from negative to positive feelings about themselves and life in general 
  • Strengths-focused: programs hone in on what parents are already good at and amplify it, rather than focusing on weaknesses
  • Trauma-informed: programs are designed to acknowledge the impact of past experiences and create a safe space for growth

Evidence-Based Success

A quasi-experimental program evaluation completed in partnership with the Institute for Community Health and Boston University showed statistically significant improvements in parents and caregivers who have completed Parenting Journey 1, our core curriculum. The results offer solid evidence of the success of our innovative approach. Graduates of our programs experience:

GRADUATES OF OUR PROGRAM EXPERIENCE:
  • A transition from negative feelings to positive feelings about life and themselves.
  • A positive change in their relationship with their children.
  • A positive change in their relationships with other people in general.
  • An ability to freely communicate accomplishments resulting from their participation in the program.

Our Partners

Parenting Journey partners with agencies, organizations, and public systems, and with clinicians, counselors and teachers who support parents, youth, and families.

Parenting Journey parents and their families reflect a rich diversity of family structures and backgrounds. At Parenting Journey people and communities come together in an environment of fair and just practices where all are safe and valued.

If you are interested in bringing Parenting Journey groups to your organization, please reach out to training@parentingjourney.org

Our Impact

Since 1981, Parenting Journey has helped families to develop the inner strengths, life skills, and networks of resources they need to succeed. Parenting Journey’s trainings have been delivered in English, Spanish, and French with its curricula utilized with parents/caregivers who primarily speak Portuguese, English, Spanish, Kirundi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and ASL.

>500

non-profit partners across the country and internationally

>55,000

families impacted worldwide

>40,000

hours of professional training delivered to 2,000 human service professionals

Our History

Parenting Journey has carved out a unique place at the intersection of psychoeducation, trauma-informed family support, family therapy, and social justice. In 2016, a quasi-experimental program evaluation completed in partnership with the Institute for Community Health and Boston University showed statistically significant improvements in parents and caregivers who have completed the Parenting Journey 1 program. The results offer solid evidence of the success of our innovative approach.

With the core belief that all parents want what is best for their children, Anne Peretz, with the help of her teacher and fellow family therapist, David Kantor, founded The Family Center. Combining family systems theory with the impact of family support programs, The Family Center opened its doors in 1981, in Somerville, Massachusetts. 

At first, the clinical staff worked directly with families, learning about and responding to those families’ immediate and pressing needs. After 15 years of partnership with local residents, Parenting Journey was born. Building on the inherent strength in families by recognizing the power of intergenerational relationships to effect change, Anne and her team were led by three guiding principles: 1) go to where people live or feel comfortable meeting, 2) work with the whole family, and 3) join with families in searching for hidden strengths. This approach provided hope and possibility, and supplied the tools for families to rewrite their own narratives.

Today, Parenting Journey’s life-changing strategies have been adapted across cultures, generations, and contexts. Parenting Journey has trained facilitators all over the world including over 500 non-profit partners across the US and internationally. Over 55,000 parents have participated in Parenting Journey’s programs furthering our vision of a world where all families and communities thrive.