This month I turn back the page and travel in time on H.G.

Covid really laid a lick on our world and we quickly woke up to a new normal.  In the wake of the pandemic, relationships have changed, churches have altered, families have morphed and businesses have adjusted. While wearing masks, we at CK came up with a corporate motto, “Stronger After” and indeed we are stronger.  With an immense amount of effort, flexibility and ingenuity, we managed to not just stay afloat but to thrive.

My family and I were 9,000 feet up in the Rockies, having a great time as usual. It always takes me a day or so to adjust, but water, Advil, and acetazolamide shorten the altitude’s negative side effects. This time, however, I just wasn’t feeling like myself. I was short of breath and fatigued to an abnormal extent. I made a mental note and went on with the fun.

Despite sweltering temperatures reaching a scorching 107 degrees, the CK Family Rangers Game turned out to be a roaring success! Drawing together hundreds of families, staff, and supporters, the event was truly one to remember.

Picking your home can be an exciting milestone moment. After visiting countless open houses, comparing different options, and researching the perfect neighborhood – finally you’ve found the one. However, once we move in we slip into our little bubble and the closest people to you are the furthest away. This summer, get beyond the awkward “hi” as you pull into the driveway and get involved in your community. Here are three ways you can make a difference and be an active neighbor.

I have spent a lifetime working with kids. Most of my work with children has been with teenagers. I very rarely do groups because I prefer to spend time with a young person one-on-one, eyeball to eyeball, heart to heart. Sometimes I only have one opportunity with a kid so it has to count. While many of my children have been hurt by the events of life such as the passing of a family member, bullying, poverty, racism, and various other tragic circumstances, a very large percentage of them have been directly damaged by the actions of adults. The pain is palpable.

Parents licensed by CK Family Services for foster care, adoption, respite care, or as professional parents have a new method for obtaining their annual and ongoing required training. CK University is an online learning management system accessible via a variety of internet connected devices.

Being a good dad has always been a tough job. Add to that a busy schedule and its not hard to see why being a father can sometimes feel a lot like work. But fatherhood doesn’t necessarily mean having all of the right answers. Some days, being a good dad is as simple as sparing a little time to talk with your kids.

Tip #1: Make Time

“You can pick up a great many insights about what a child needs and what’s behind outbursts simply by observing. Small details of body language and behavior will convey a message that the child is unable to speak directly.”

– Karyn Purvis, The Connected Child.