Parents Are The Key
PEN believes parents desire to raise healthy youth and deserve guidance in successfully navigating this complex role.
Our Mission
PEN is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to support parents in raising healthy, happy humans.
Our Vision
Our vision is for all parents to feel supported and empowered throughout their parenting journey.
Our Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion
To fulfill our mission, PEN must be an organization for all parents PEN prioritizes the recruitment of board members, staff, expert consultants, trainers, and volunteers who reflect the diversity of our community, with an intentional effort to foster and cultivate an environment in which all who are involved with the organization feel welcomed, accepted and appreciated.
PEN strives to provide a safe environment that facilitates and promotes open and honest expression, without fear of reproach, as well as encourages individuality amongst all who are involved.
Acknowledging the potential for unintentional shortcomings, PEN welcomes candid and constructive feedback about how the organization can do better. To attract and retain a diverse population of engaged community members, PEN incorporates intentional diversity, equity, an inclusion practices into the parent educational programming and resources.
Our Values
Our work is guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to these values
1. Relevance
PEN delivers high quality information, tools and strategies that are responsive to the ever- changing needs of parents. PEN staff and volunteers:
- Stay informed of local, national, and international trends impacting families and communities.
- Develop and curate content in collaboration with experts in the field.
- Acknowledge parents as experts on their children and integrating their experience and wisdom.
2. Empathy
You can’t judge a person even when you have walked in their shoes. But, you can seek to understand and share in another’s experiences. PEN staff and volunteers:
- Meet parents where they are, no matter what.
- Authentically care and are deeply connected to the love a parent has for their child and the challenges they face raising them.
- Are vulnerable and normalize parenting by sharing their own experiences, challenges and successes.
3. Passion
PEN eats, breathes and sleeps their commitment to serving parents. This passion shows up when staff and volunteers:
- Express their love for parents in the way they live their day-to-day lives.
- Go above and beyond to help a parent who is scared and/or hurting.
- Access every personal and professional resource to help.
4. Tenacity
PEN’s commitment to helping parents has persisted throughout uncountable social, environmental, school, and community-based changes. PEN staff and volunteers:
- Strive to be their best at all times.
- Push the mission forward regardless of challenges and setbacks.
- Find the best ways to reach, support, and serve parents.
5. Respect
PEN accepts people for who they are and values their unique differences. PEN staff and volunteers:
- Honor people’s right to dignity.
- Strive to provide an environment where people feel safe and welcome
- Embrace conversations with openness and a goal of deeper understanding and support.
Who We Serve
Parents
PEN provides a community of support, a place to build your parenting toolbox, and a touch stone for dealing with challenging issues.
Parents of children from kindergarten to graduation come to us for:
- general parenting information
- prevention strategies
- ways to manage risky behaviors
- information to prepare their child for the future
“The presenter gave a fair, unbiased, unflinching look at the hard truths. It made me feel liberated to face reality and not be afraid to talk about such an awkward, painful, worrisome subject.”
— One parent after attending an event
“We work with students, PEN works with parents, together we work with families”
— Administrator
School Staff, Administrators & Other Professionals
While our main constituents are parents, individuals working with youth and families also benefit from our programming. Our offerings help them stay on top the most current information and build a professional network where they can learn from others. Professional development credits are available.
Businesses
PEN’s Lunch & Learn Program is designed to bring virtual or in-person parent education to the workplace. The impact of bringing work stress home has been known for years. Less widely recognized is that parenting stress impacts a person’s ability to concentrate and be productive at work. Bringing cutting-edge information to them at a time that is convenient will leave them empowered and resourced so that they can bring their best self to their job.
PEN’s Lunch & Learn program has 10 hour-long sessions that will give parents at your business relevant information and hands-on strategies to support them in navigating this complex role.
Our Team
Our trusted team makes it possible for us to do our work.
PEN Board of Directors
Kathy Valentine
Matt Bliss
Lisa Kaplan
Matt Eldred
Nathalie Pratt
Sandy Hay
PEN Team
Melanie Piazza
Paula Nelson
Nancy Davis
