At the heart of every successful youth program is the active involvement of parents and guardians. In the Child Protection and Youth Empowerment initiative, parents’ meetings have become a crucial element, providing a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and support between families and the Open Fun Football Schools. These meetings not only strengthen the program’s impact but also foster a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Why Are Parents’ Meetings Important?
Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s development, and their involvement in sports programs extends beyond simply cheering from the sidelines. Parents’ meetings serve as a vital touchpoint where families can engage with trainers, organisers, and local leaders to understand the purpose and goals of the Open Fun Football Schools.
Here’s why parents’ meetings are key to the success of the program:
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Understanding the Program’s Vision
These meetings provide parents with a clear understanding of how the Open Fun Football Schools aim to shape their children’s lives—not as athletes but as individuals. The program focuses on values such as teamwork, respect, and discipline, which align with broader life skills that benefit children in all aspects of their growth. -
Strengthening Trust and Communication
By fostering open communication, parents’ meetings create trust between families and the program coordinators. Parents can ask questions, express concerns, and offer feedback, ensuring that their voices are heard. This two-way dialogue strengthens relationships, enabling the community to work together toward a common goal: the well-being and development of the children. -
Parental Support for Social and Cultural Integration
Many of the Open Fun Football Schools operate in areas affected by war, displacement, and cultural division. Parents’ meetings are especially important in these regions, helping to bridge gaps between different religious and ethnic communities. Through these sessions, parents learn how the program promotes inclusion and unity, encouraging children from various backgrounds—whether Christian, Muslim, Yazidi, or displaced families—to come together through sports. -
Promoting Safety and Well-being
Ensuring the safety and emotional well-being of children is a top priority. During parents’ meetings, organizers outline the safety protocols in place, particularly in areas where conflict has left its mark. This helps parents feel reassured that their children are participating in a secure, nurturing environment.
How Parents’ Meetings Connect with Open Fun Football Schools
The Open Fun Football Schools initiative is built on the foundation of fun, inclusion, and community development. Parents’ meetings are a natural extension of this philosophy, creating an integrated approach where families are involved at every step.
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Encouraging Long-term Participation
By keeping parents informed and engaged, the program encourages long-term participation from children. When parents understand the benefits of their child’s involvement in sports—such as physical health, social skills, and emotional resilience—they are more likely to support ongoing participation. This leads to a stronger commitment from the children, who, in turn, become more motivated to attend and engage in the activities. -
Building a Supportive Community
Parents’ meetings offer families a chance to connect, fostering a supportive network that extends beyond the football field. This sense of community is especially important in regions where children and families have experienced trauma, displacement, or division. Through these interactions, families can share their experiences, support each other, and work together to create a positive environment for their children. -
Empowering Parents to Be Role Models
These meetings empower parents to become role models for their children by reinforcing the values taught at the Open Fun Football Schools. By witnessing the impact of the program firsthand, parents can mirror these lessons at home, encouraging behaviours like teamwork, respect, and perseverance in their daily lives. -
Connecting with Local Leaders and Trainers
Parents’ meetings provide an opportunity for families to meet the trainers who guide their children, as well as local leaders who support the initiative. This creates a sense of accountability, trust and partnership, where parents, trainers, and local authorities work hand in hand to ensure the success of the program.
The Future of Parents’ Meetings in Open Fun Football Schools
As we expand the Open Fun Football Schools across Iraq, South Sudan, Ukraine, Nigeria, Moldova and beyond, parents’ meetings will remain central to our mission. These gatherings offer an invaluable space for collaboration, trust-building, and community engagement. By involving parents in the program, we are supporting the growth and development of their children and strengthening the community’s fabric as a whole.
