Parents Advocacy Sessions Icon

Our goal is to provide advocacy sessions that will empower parents to help their children be successful throughout the school year and beyond. These sessions are also designed to support family growth and sustainability. These sessions were suggested and developed with Parents Challenge parents.

THESE SESSIONS ARE DESIGNED TO BE A RESOURCE FOR PARENTS WHETHER THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND PUBLIC, CHARTER, OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR CHOOSE TO HOMESCHOOL.

These sessions are not geared to tell parents what to do, they will be geared to provide parents with tools and resources to make informed decisions regarding their child’s education that can be applied at school or at home. Ideally, these sessions help parents to ask questions, seek additional support, develop goals with their children, learn to assess performance data and develop skills to monitor their students’ overall progress. These sessions also support low-income families with financial and community resources.

2025 Parent Schedule
SPRING Semester

If you are not a current Parents Challenge family and would like to attend our Parent Empowerment Sessions, please click the link below and we will provide you details for attending the session(s). Sessions are virtual and in-person.

Session Color Coding

Red – Mandatory Sessions (2 hours credit)

Blue – Regular Advocacy Sessions (2 hours credit)

Orange – Lunch & Learns (1 hour credit)

Pink – Series (need to attend all sessions in series for credit) 

Purple – Events (No credit hours)

Green – Platinum Families (Credit Hours Determined Prior to Project)

ALL sessions must be attended to receive CREDIT for the MULTI-SESSION TRACK.

SESSIONS WILL BE HELD VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON

Date

Topic

Time

January 23rd
Thursday
Session #26

(In-Person)

ALL FAMILY MANDATORY:
STANDING UP FOR THE VALUE OF EVERY PERSON
(Session is for Everyone – please bring your scholars)

What does it feel like to be embarrassed, humiliated or laughed at in front of others? Have you ever felt that way or have you ever done that to others? Learn how to stand up for people and how to not bully or be bullied. Learn how to show respect, value those around you and build trust, credibility and morale.

“You could hear a pin drop on the carpet in the auditorium throughout the whole presentation except when they were
bursting out laughing! “ – Parent

This session was held last year, but Bob was not able to attend, so we are holding the session again, with Bob and AJ. You don’t want to miss out and you want to bring your scholars to the session.

Location: Focus on the Family
8655 Explorer Drive, C/S 80920
(enter main entrance, look for flags)

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
(Dinner starts at 5:30 pm)

Bob Lenz
Dignity Revolution Founder

AJ – Animated Illusionist

January 25th
Saturday
NSCW Fair

(In-Person)

National School Choice Week (NSCW)

Location: Great Wolf Lodge
9494 Federal Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Over 70 vendors from private, traditional public, charter public, homeschool and organizations. Fun, Prizes and Activities.

January 30th
Thursday
Session #27

(In-Person)

BUILDING BRIDGES: HOME TO SCHOOL CONNECTION

Teamwork makes the dream work from elementary school to high school! Despite our children’s ages, they need to know that their parents have a powerful partnership with their teachers. This gives them confidence in all they can achieve with a strong team supporting them. It can be challenging to establish and maintain this partnership. Come and join us as we discuss breaking through the barriers to building bridges to positive parent-teacher partnerships, gaining strategies for establishing positive partnerships with teachers, asking the right questions in parent-teacher meetings, alternative communication for busy parents, and practicing having parent-teacher conversations that lead to impactful home-to-school connections.

Location: Sand Creek Police Station
950 Academy Loop, Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saadia Dumas
MAHS, Ed.D.

Session #28
Track #1
Mondays
(In-Person)
(Must attend all Sessions)
February 3rd
Feb 10th
Feb 17th
Feb 24th
March 3rd
March 10th
March 17th
March 31st

CORE KIDS
(Track is for Scholars and Parents)

Welcome to coreKids1.0: The Adventure Series. This 8-part book series for kids ages 9-11 contains the same information as corePurpose1.0, only in an age-appropriate context. Each book is packed with fun and exciting activities, including science experiments, movies, art, and even neuroscience, showing students what happens to their brain when they engage in activities, all pointing towards how to achieve brain health while investing in their Purpose!

Join us on this exciting journey and introduce your children to the beginning of their Purpose and meaning in life!

Location: PPUW Family Success Center
1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Victoria Jeffs
Executive Director
Day 2/Day 2 International

February 4th
Tuesday
Session #29

(In-person)

TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES

It’s easy to forget to have fun with your kids. Rules, responsibilities, schoolwork… and the day-to-day grind can prevent us from enjoying life as a family. That’s where intentionality comes in. You can stop and choose to take a moment to laugh and enjoy your family, but it may require planning.
Parents often want to know how to prevent problem behaviors, or make sure their kids don’t make poor choices.

One of the best, proactive, ways parents can protect their kids’ hearts is to build an identity of, “Our family knows how to have fun together!”

Location: PPUW Family Success Center
1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Eliza Love, MA
Watson Jr. High
6th Grade Teacher & Parents Challenge Family

February 5th
Wednesday
Sessions #30

(Virtual Lunch & Learn)

The “CLEAN YOUR CLOSET” Effect

What is your clutter and disorganization trying to tell you? Being disorganized can be overwhelming. It’s important to identify the chaos and why it is happening. Dr. Lewis will share her techniques for getting motivated and becoming well-organized. She will explain how her CLEAN YOUR CLOSET method works

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 830 4647 3287

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Dr. Regina Lewis
Professor Emeritus
Regina Speaking, LLC

February 5th
Wednesday
Session #31
(Limited seats available)

(In-Person)

COOKING MATTERS: STORE TOUR
(Parent Session)

Shopping healthy can be quite expensive. Learn how to shop healthily on a budget and how to get the most nutritious food with limited food dollars.

Location: Care and Share Food Bank
2605 Preamble Pt. Colorado Springs, CO 80915

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Cooking Matters Program Manager

Session #32
Track #2
Fridays

(In-person/Virtual)

February 7th
Feb. 14th
(will be rescheduled)
Feb. 21st
Feb 28th
March 7th
March 14th
March 21st
April 4th

 

NURTURING FATHERS
For Men
(Fathers, Uncles, Grandpa’s, Cousins, Friends, Foster, Adopted, Step)

The Nurturing Fathers Program is an evidence-based course designed to do the following:

• Teach parenting and nurturing skills to men.
• Provide effective skills for healthy family relationships and child development.
• Learn the importance of loving praise and a nurturing/secure environment.
• Bring men together from all backgrounds to Learn, Discuss, and Collaborate on topics that will benefit your family and the generations to follow.

Location: Legacy Institute
525 North Tejon Street, C/S 80903

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Colin Hueston
Certified Nurturing Fathers Instructor

Schedule will be flexible and arranged with the facilitator and attendees.

February 11th
Tuesday
Session #33

(In-person)

MATH: MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

Middle School Math is designed to help students prepare for High School, if they understand and can keep up.

Are any of these topics of concern – then bring your middle schooler to this session and learn ways to help them be successful.

• Numbers: Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, ratios, rates, proportions, percents, and real numbers
• Algebra: Introductory algebra ideas and solving equations and inequalities
• Geometry: Geometry and spatial sense
• Measurement: Measurement
• Data analysis: Data analysis and probability
• Graphing: Graphing linear equations and inequalities


Location: Sand Creek Police Station
950 Academy Loop, Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Mary Ann Hubl
Owner, Math ETC LLC
Tutoring, Speaker

February 13th
Thursday
Sessions #34

(Virtual Lunch & Learn)

DEALING WITH PEOPLE
(training for youth in relationships)

So much of a teen’s life revolves around screens that many have never learned how to speak face to face to others in their lives. I say “Good Morning” to everyone. I once had a student whose response to my greeting was always “Don’t Talk To Me.” Even if she was in a bad mood, this was not a proper response.

In this training geared to teens, we talk about the proper way to deal with parents, teachers, peers, and bosses – even if you disagree with them. And in relating to them properly, you will find that you will get what you want more often.

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 863 9463 6406

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

James Divine
Music Educator/Motivation Speaker/Author/Jazz Artist

February 13th
Thursday
Session #35

(In-person)

THE MALE BRAIN AND HOW BOYS LEARN

This session will address how the male brain develops and processes information. It also speaks to the power and influence of the hormone testosterone on the male brain. This session draws from primary brain research and the work of Michael Gurian and Leonard Sax.

Location: Sand Creek Police Station
950 Academy Loop, Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Dedrick Sims, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Sims-Fayola Foundation

Session #36
Track #3
Tuesdays

(In-person)
(Must attend all Sessions)

February 18th
Feb. 25th
March 4th
March 11th

PARENTING, PILLARS FOR SUCCESS: COMMUNICATION
(Track is for Parents)

The Pillars for Success for Parents is a program that teaches parents to understand and successfully redirect/reverse challenging behaviors by:

• Disengaging from the power struggle.
• Establishing and maintaining boundaries. Learning behavioral techniques to communicate effectively and avoid misperceptions.
• Empowering pro-social behavior choices by implementing the technique of “irresistible influence” to effectively replace futile power struggles.
• Building child’s self-esteem and sense of mastery by presenting the child with choices that guarantee the adult’s ultimate control while simultaneously empowering the child.

Location: PPUW Family Success Center
1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sandra Kwesell,
MSC, MFCT
Founder, Pillars for Success Author, Instructor

February 20th
Thursday
Session #37

(In-person)

EXPLORE RELATIONSHIPS: HEALTHY, UNHEALTHY,
AND ABUSIVE
(parents and high schoolers)

Explore the Key Elements of Relationships to Recognize the Difference Between Healthy, Unhealthy, and Abusive Behaviors. This presentation is designed to help parents/students understand the fundamentals of building respectful, supportive, and empowering relationships.

Mrs. Jenkins will use interactive activities, compelling statistics, and thought-provoking scenarios to encourage self-reflection and discussion. The overall goal is to provide parents/high schoolers with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions, build healthy relationships, and avoid dating violence.

Location: Sand Creek Police Station
950 Academy Loop, Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Lisa Jenkins
CEO, Kingdom Builders Family Life Center

February 26th
Wednesday
Sessions #38

(Virtual Lunch & Learn)

THE PIVOT POINT OF MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

Physical health is typically the first thing that comes to mind when a person thinks of health. The most powerful form of health is mental health. Do you know someone struggling with mental health challenges? How do you encourage them to talk to someone? How can you become an effective advocate? Join Dr. Lewis to learn active listening skills, recognize nonverbal communication through body language, and be proactive in being the pivot point of mental health advocacy.

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 846 8982 2376

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Dr. Regina Lewis
Professor Emeritus
Regina Speaking, LLC

February 26th
Wednesday
Session #39

(Virtual)

MONEY MAPPING

Every journey begins with a single step — so start your quest for financial success by:

• Learning how to pinpoint your financial goals and then explore budgeting and savings strategies.
• Learning to adopt good money habits and debt repayment strategies to chart your course to financial empowerment.

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 895 7589 4957

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Laura Straub
Ent Credit Union
MBA, CCUFC, Community Educator Lead – Southern Region

February 27th
Thursday
Sessions #40

(Virtual Lunch & Learn)

HOW TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE:
GOAL SETTING FOR TEENS

We discuss the difference between a goal and a dream, the 5 essential elements that must be included in a goal, why it’s important to write goals down, why it’s important to do the difficult thing first, the 3 success principles that – if followed – give you a 97% chance of avoiding poverty.

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 880 4401 6706

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

James Devine
Music Educator/Motivation Speaker/Author/Jazz Artist

March 5th
Wednesday
Sessions #41

(Virtual Lunch & Learn)

STRESS BUSTERS 2025

Gone are the days when bills, jobs, or family issues were the common stress triggers. It seemed there was never enough time to relax or exercise to feel better. Join Dr. Regina Lewis as she shares some not-so-obvious stressors with unique, easy solutions that will positively impact your life!

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 874 7066 0602

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Dr. Regina Lewis
Professor Emeritus
Regina Speaking, LLC

March 5th
Wednesday
Session #42
(Limited seats available)

(In-Person)

COOKING MATTERS: HACK YOUR SNACK
(Family Session)

Always on the go and trying to put together quick and healthy snacks for your family. This session will provide tips for easy, healthy snacks and drinks for the family.


Location: Care and Share Food Bank
2605 Preamble Pt. Colorado Springs, CO 80915

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Cooking Matters Program Manager

March 13th
Thursday
Session #43

(Virtual)

KINDERGARTEN AND BEYOND!

What does it take for your child to have an incredible kindergarten experience? In this session, parents will explore skills that support optimal learning, promote positive academic outcomes in Kindergarten through 12th grade and foster lifelong success. Learn the developmental markers that ensure joyful learning. Families with scholars in K-3 will benefit from this session.

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 840 5623 5664

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Dr. Bridgitt Mitchell, MBA
Administrator, Professor and Consultant

March 18th
Tuesday
Session #44

(In-Person)

MATH: BATTLE OF THE SKILLS

Let’s make learning math fun for your scholars at any age. This session will use games/competitions to teach skills and help scholars have fun in the process.

Parents, you will learn a few tricks as well.
We will us baseball, football, spoons, jeopardy – to make math fun and easy to master. Don’t miss out on all the prizes scholars and/or parents can earn.

Location: PPUW Family Success Center
1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, Co 80910

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Mary Ann Hubl
Owner, Math ETC LLC
Tutoring, Speaker

March 19th
Wednesday
Sessions #45

(Virtual Lunch & Learn)

JUST FOR THE HEALTH OF IT:
A LOOK AT HEALTHY EATING

Do you feel sluggish, bloated, achy, or have low energy? It could be from what you’re eating. Join Dr. Lewis, who will share some surprises about some of our favorite foods that have been hiding their negative effects on you and help transform you to feel good and look your best from the inside out.

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 871 2630 8907

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Dr. Regina Lewis
Professor Emeritus
Regina Speaking, LLC

March 20th
Thursday
Session #46

(Virtual)

BOYS AND THEIR EDUCATION

This session will focus on how young men engage in school and how school culture impacts their learning experiences and outcomes. It draws from a variety of primary educational research articles, videos, the work of the Sims-Fayola Foundation, and personal narratives from young men.

Zoom Link
+1 719 359 4580 US
Meeting ID: 849 3128 8859

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Dedrick Sims, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Sims-Fayola Foundation

April 2nd
Wednesday
Session #47

(In-Person)

COOKING MATTERS: THE POWER OF PLANNING
(Family Session)

Let’s make this a family affair. How to get the family involved to plan and prepare quick, budget-friendly meals at home.

Location: Care and Share Food Bank
2605 Preamble Pt. Colorado Springs, CO 80915

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Cooking Matters Program Manager

April 5th
Saturday

(In-Person)

PLATINUM FAMILIES EVENT
Platinum families will be notified on BAND

Families wanting to get volunteer hours or participate in this community event are welcome to attend.

Locations: TBD

Morning & Afternoon projects.

April 19th
Saturday

(In-Person)

SENIOR DAY
Special day planned for our Senior Scholars

Location: TBD

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

May 17th
Saturday

(In-Person)

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY KIDS DAY

2025 Kids Day at the Focus on the Family Bookstore. It will be a day of great activities, giveaways and more! Q102.7 will be LIVE

Location: Focus on the Family
8655 Explorer Drive, C/S 80920

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Free Community Event

Please be advised. These sessions could be changed or postponed due to instructor cancellations, school dynamics or limited enrollment.

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