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You've reached the web site of the Lower Merion-Narberth Community Coalition, based in suburban Philadelphia, PA. LM-NCC is a partnership of community agencies and individuals working together to foster an atmosphere where children feel safe, secure, and included.

Performer to Bring Young Teens and Their Parents Together in Lower Merion

“Why don’t they hear us?”  It’s a question teens ask about their parents, as much as parents ask it about their teens. And on May 20, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 p.m, that – and many other important questions – will be addressed in a fun, yet provocative way by Michael Fowlin, who brings his exciting one-man interactive show to the Penn Valley Elementary School auditorium.

A unique performer who combines the fun of playing multiple characters with the skills and knowledge of a PhD in clinical psychology, “Mykee” -- as he is known to students – engages his audience in a way few people can.

As one student said, “We really got into his show.  He understands us and our problems, and I like the way he related to us.” That type of relating will be a main feature of this performance, which is intended mainly for middle school-age kids and their parents, though all age groups are invited.

Sponsored by the Lower Merion Narberth Community Coalition, the interactive performance promises to live up to Michael Fowlin’s long history of reviews that describe him being “enjoyable,” “funny,” “spellbinding” and someone who “knows how people want to be treated.”  Parents and teens alike can learn more about him by visiting MichaelFowlin.com.

The Lower Merion-Narberth Community Coalition (lmncc.org) is a partnership of local agencies and individuals working together to involve parents, students, educators, businesses and institutions in making the community a healthy, safe, caring, and nurturing environment that supports our youth.  For more information, contact Stephanie Shell of the Lower Merion Narberth Community Coalition at (610) 527-8731 or info@lmncc.org.

Location:        Penn Valley Elementary School
301 Righters Mill Road
Narberth, PA 19072

Contact:         Stephanie Shell, Lower Merion Narberth Community Coalition
Please RSVP To: info@lmncc.org

Not Just for Dads/Daughters…Not Just for the Holidays

DADs Tips for the Holidays

Year-end Holidays can make wonderful experiences and memories for dads, daughters and stepdaughters. They can also be stressful, and whip by incredibly fast.  Here are a few things to keep in mind for making the most of your Holiday.  (These tips work just as well for sons, if you have them—and for moms, too!)

1. Presence always trumps presents. More than any transient toy or other physical object, your kids crave your time and attention, so let them bask in your presence. If you’re a live-away dad, be with her through personal communication and traditions (see below), rather than trying to “make up” for your situation with a flood of presents.

2. Give her a "Time Machine." Instead of the latest electronic gadget, give your daughter time (and be sure to keep the commitments you make). Here are a few examples:

• A simple trip together
• A commitment to spend one hour of one-on-one time with her, once a week, all year (for dozens of great ideas, check out The Dads & Daughters Togetherness Guide: 54 Fun Activities to Help Build a Great Relationship at www.DadsandDaughters.org
• Make homemade decorations together
• Build a project together
• Bake Holiday cookies and regale her with stories from your childhood Holidays
• Learn some new things which make you a better Dad for her like learning to coach or practice “her” sport with her or reading a magazine like Daughters®(www.Daughters.com).
• Pick one day between now and the Holidays to just watch her non-judgmentally all day. Just be aware of how unique and special she is. At the end of the day write down everything you love about her and then go share the list with her as a Holiday gift.

3. Redefine interactive. Nowadays, interactive seems to mean a toy or machine that “interacts” with us people. Remember that what really builds families is interaction between people and other people! Make room for a feast of personal interactivity this season--like a neighborhood Football Romp to exercise away those extra calories and catch up with the neighbors!

4. Consider “One In, One Out.” To relish the giving nature of the Holidays, some families use a simple and powerful tradition: For every present a family member receives, she or he donates one of their previous possessions to charity. It’s a concrete way to live the Golden Rule—and cuts down on clutter, too!

5. Make your own presents. Regardless of age, almost any daughter can work with her stepdad or dad to make gifts—from homemade crafts to certificates for services to be rendered (e.g.: “Mom, this certificate entitles you to one month of me vacuuming the house”).

6. Wrap recycled. Use “pre-owned” wrapping paper, newspapers, old maps, and other paper products to wrap your presents. It’s a perfect way to personalize a present, while cutting down on waste (and saving money). See other ideas at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/specials/funfacts/winter.htm.

7. Remember that simple is "in." A Center for the New American Dream poll finds that a majority of families are getting a bit sick of all the Holiday hype (see www.newdream.org/holiday/poll05.php). So, you’re not alone when you simplify and focus first on the true Holiday spirit!

8. Give to others. Help your daughter decide on a set amount of money she will give to charitable causes this year. If she’s too young to earn her own money, give her some to donate. Some kids even give donations as a gift to a loved one—“Big Sister, in your honor, I bought a Heifer® International (www.heifer.org) goat for Women in Livestock Development in Kenya.” Or “Dad, to show how much you mean to me, I donated to Dads & Daughters in both of our names.” Some other ideas from dads:

• “Adopt” a family through a local nonprofit. We shoot for one practical (shirt, socks etc.), one toiletry (bath soaps, shaving kit, etc) and one pure fun (game, book, stuffed animal) per person. We have a lot of fun shopping for these people that we do not know, but care about.
• Volunteer at a local charity. I devise a "menu" of places in our city that need help over the holidays, and my daughter picks. We’ve done Meals on Wheels, singing carols to seniors, helping at the animal shelter. Be sure to ask the kids for their ideas too. Often, theirs are the best!

9. Remember ritual. Repetition of meaningful rituals is an important part of building Holiday traditions and instilling positive Holiday memories for a lifetime. Rituals can include attending religious worship services, having special friends and family for a traditional meal, reading a favorite story every year, making a special Holiday morning breakfast, or anything else that draws you closer to each other. Take pictures to help remember—and be sure that YOU are in some of them!

10. Nurture the Holiday spirit all year. The Holidays remind us what special people we have for children, family members, and friends. Try to remember and cherish that special feeling everyday. We only get one crack at being her dad while she’s a girl. So let’s make the most of it!

Dads & Daughters: Making the world safe and fair for our daughters
To learn more about healthy fathering of girls, visit www.DadsandDaughters.org

The Pressure of being a pre-teen girl

On Sunday, Nov. 18, The Philadelphia Inquirer explored the pressures facing
preteen girls in today's society and the support groups that have emerged in
the area to help with the challenges. LM-NCC's Vice President Paula Singer,
who leads a summertime program called Club Ophelia, is featured. Here is the
link: http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/11296581.html

Fighting binge drinking on campuses is "a never-ending battle"

April 17, 2007 -- The drinking-binge death of a Rider University student spurred commentator Carol Suplee to write that such a tragedy could "occur at any school." Read more on the Inquirer's website.

Results Released for 2006 Student Life Survey in Lower Merion/Narberth

April 10, 2007 -- More than 135 representatives from schools, community organizations, faith communities, counseling centers, and local and state government attended the public celebration of results of the 2006 Student Life Survey today in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Members of the Lower Merion-Narberth Community Coalition Steering Committee presented the results in a Student Support Card (see below). The survey showed that that the average number of assets possessed by our youth has increased from 19.5 to 21.5 (out of 40) from the first survey, conducted in 2000, and the most recent survey, conducted in fall of 2006.

More than 5,100 students participated from the following schools: Lower Merion High School, Harriton High School, Welsh Valley Middle School, Bala Cynwyd Middle School, The Agnes Irwin School, The Baldwin School, The Episcopal Academy, Friends' Central School, The Haverford School, and The Shipley School.

The results give reasons to celebrate our youth and the support provided to them by our parents, schools, and community. The results also give reasons to stay connected with our youth.

To read the slide presentation and to read much more, visit our Survey page.

The Philadelphia Inquirer on "Families who have it all -- child trouble included"

The recent arrests of Eagles Coach Andy Reid's sons sparked an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the challenges of raising children in an affluent community. The article is available for a limited time at the following webpage: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/16700927.htm

LM-NCC on Lower Merion Channel 7's "Eye on Lower Merion" Program

Throughout the month of February, members of the Lower Merion-Narberth Community
Coalition will appear on Lower Merion Township's Channel 7 as part of the "Eye On Lower Merion" series. The half-hour program covers the history of the Coalition, the issues affecting today's youth, and how families are helped by this worthwhile organization. Comcast subscribers can tune in each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on Tuesday,
Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Main Line Times Op-Ed by LM-NCC

Nov. 30, 2006 -- It can be hard to talk to teens about the risks of drinking parties, so the Lower Merion-Narberth Community Coalition offers several questions to get the conversation started. Visit The Main Line Times Op-Ed pages online. This was in response to an earlier opinion piece by LM-NCC steering Committee member Paula Singer, who wrote this Nov. 9 Main Line Times Op-Ed piece entitled "Parents who cheat the law are sending kids the wrong message."

Thank You!

Oct. 23, 2006 -- Thanks to all the students, parents, and school administrators at both the public and private schools in Lower Merion and Narberth who made it possible to conduct the Search Institute's "Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors" survey in October. The results will provide parents, schools, and community organizations with a snapshot of what life is like for young people in our community.

Participating schools included Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Welsh Valley Middle School, Harriton High School, Lower Merion High School, The Episcopal Academy, The Haverford School (upper school only), Friends Central School, The Agnes Irwin School, The Baldwin School (upper school only), and The Shipley School. Results will be shared with the public in the spring of 2007.

To read more, visit the News page.

The Lower Merion-Narberth Community Coalition (LM-NCC) is a partnership of community agencies and individuals working together to foster an atmosphere where children feel safe, secure, and included.

Since 1999, the Lower Merion-Narberth Community Coalition (LM-NCC) has worked with Lower Merion and Narberth residents; public and private schools; municipal, state and federal governments; business and religious organizations; mental and physical health professionals, and law enforcement officials.

We provide programs and resources to build assets in our children, our families, and our community, to help reduce stress, alcohol use, drug use, violence, and other risky behavior among youth. We are increasing and strengthening our coalition through public meetings, an active central steering committee, an extended advisory committee, bringing in additional sponsors from area organizations, and dedicated community volunteers.

LM-NCC Members include: The Baldwin School, The Episcopal Academy, The Haverford School, The Lower Merion School District, and The Shipley School, in conjunction with Lower Merion Township, the business community, religious organizations, adolescent health professionals, and state and federal government representatives.

For more details, please call our information line at (610) 526-8731 or e-mail us at info@lmncc.org.

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