Summer Activities as Help Savio Families Apply What They Are Learning

Savio families are working very hard at the treatments that will lead to long-term stability and success. With the help of their therapists, they can use summer activities as a real-world application of the skills that they have been working on during sessions. The lessons learned from summer camps, sports activities, and part-time jobs will help them build on their strengths and demonstrate to families what they are capable of.

They may feel like they can't join these summer activities. The cost of camps, access to transportation, and lack of a support network can all make it hard. Families have to learn how they can overcome these challenges. This is where Savio staff come in, helping families apply the skills that they have been working on during sessions to set up for a successful summer. 

These families deserve to have the opportunity for positive social interactions to help motivate them. It can also be very rewarding for these families to see how this hard work can impact all relationships in their life, including the ones that they gain through summer activities.

Fifty percent of Savio families have an income of less than $30,000. For these families, the cost of many summer activities seems out of reach. Therapists can provide guidance on applying for scholarships to summer camps, ask sports teams about sliding scale payments based on income, or help develop a plan to save money from a summer job.  Each of these tools will allow for families to continue to participate in the future and provide them the confidence that they need to know that they can provide opportunities for their children.

Families often have teens that are at the age where getting a summer job can be rewarding, not just for the chance to have some spending money but also for the important lessons that it teaches.  Teens benefit from having the support of Savio staff members who are constantly sharing information on potential job opportunities. Therapists can also work with teens to build the tools that are needed at a summer job, including how to deal with conflict, communication, and dedication. Armed with these skills, the teen will be more prepared for when they enter the adult workforce.

Additionally, all of these activities can help youth focus on positive social interactions. Having a set schedule will make it more difficult for them to participate in concerning behavior. While taking the time to set up summer activities may not feel like parents’ first priority, doing can prevent parents from having to take more time out of their already stressful schedule if their child ends up having to run-ins with the law.

Savio families are processing complex issues, such as substance abuse, mental and behavioral health concerns, abuse and neglect. The hard work that they are putting into their relationships can be very heavy and very straining. These families deserve to have the opportunity for positive social interactions to help motivate them. It can also be very rewarding for these families to see how this hard work can impact all relationships in their life, including the ones that they gain through summer activities.

With a solid plan, the right tools, and a little support, Savio families are working to make sure that they not only are working toward long-term stability and success but also having a summer to remember.