Published: January 31, 2008 12:03 pm         

New Safe Harbor class aims to help families in trouble

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



A program designed to help families with rebellious children or teens is starting a new semester in Gardendale.

Safe Harbor kicked off in Gardendale last year at Gardendale First Baptist Church.

The faith-based program gives families the tools they need to become more disciplined and stop destructive behaviors, according to Suzie Walker, a Safe Harbor staff member.

Neeley Vance of Gardendale First Baptist Church is site director for the local Safe Harbor. Vance has been involved with Safe Harbor since 2000.

Vance said she has seen many families healed through the Safe Harbor ministry.

One Gardendale mother agreed to let a portion of her letter to Walker be published on condition of anonymity. She signed the letter, “A changed parent.”

“I just wanted to send you this letter to let you know how grateful I am for my experience with Safe Harbor. ... During the last four years I have struggled with two of my children because they chose the path of drugs. Safe Harbor gave me the parenting tools I so desperately needed to cope with the trauma and disappointment of living through such a trying time in my life.

“I had no idea that so many other parents had the same issues with their children as I did. I learned that God does not want us to live in fear and confusion.

“Before I became a part of Safe Harbor I did not even know that I should have something called a boundary. Now I have the tools of sound parenting that were always missing in our home.”

The next Safe Harbor semester begins at Gardendale First Baptist Church in Room 1022 on Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Classes will be held every Tuesday for 10-12 weeks.

Contact Vance at 488-8622 or Walker at 681-2734 for more information.