Cultivating Community & Growing Together

We have three recurring gatherings, weekly and annually

Tuesday Nite Live for Parents

On Tuesday evenings each week, parents gather over dinner at Just Initiative. We create space there to cultivate community between everyone at the table. Sometimes we have a workshop educating us on various subjects, but usually we have discussions. All of this time is focused on strengthening families.

We take seriously learning and adopting the Adverse Childhood Experiences Protective Factors . We know based on the research that when a family can adopt and embrace the Protective Factors their children have a better chance of thriving in life.

Over these meals, we learn, we laugh, and sometimes we cry. We pray together and hold space for each other's stories. It is a special place of safety and growth.

Tuesday Nite Live for Kids

The Just kids are gathering each week for a time together we call The Zone.

Our focus is to increase positive social/emotional knowledge and skills while sharing the love of God. The kids eat dinner together, have a lesson and usually a craft before also engaging in play outside.

Some of the kids in The Zone come with their parents and some we pick up in the Just Initiative van. Our staff and volunteers become trusted adults in the Zone kids' lives. They may not stay in the same school or neighborhood, so many adults may come and go, but the connections at Just Initiative are long-term.

In addition to the weekly gatehring, we have enriching field trips such as organic farms, book stores, movies, and more. And we also host events for family fun while addressing issues our children are facing. For example in the fall of 2024 we hosted an event to reduce gun violence amoung children.

Just Kids Week

The Just Initiative team values the next generation. Our Just kids are strong, resilient, beautiful and fun! We look forward to the summer and having focued time with our kids at Just Kids Week!

This is one of our most special events of the year. This week is grounded in understanding the love of God and the call to love your neighbor. We take 5 days and pack it with every good thing we can. In 2025 we learned how we are called to do good works, and how to speak up and use your voice. Also the importance of advocating for your neighbor as well.

At Just Kids Week, we dance, we sing, we eat, we play and it is an unforgettable week for the kids and the adults alike.