Putting the Protective Factors Into Action
Written by Tim Buckley & Jim Seymour, June 2024
Maribel Calderon, pictured far right preparing for an upcoming NFC event
Maribel Calderon spoke at the last CBEL Collective gathering, where more than 100 people heard her remarkable story. There was no hint of arrogance, no “See What I Did?”. Rather, Maribel talked about how putting the five Strengthening Families Protective Factors into action lightened her load and brightened all four of her children’s life prospects.
The Strengthening Families Protective Factors are:
Maribel with her husband and kids
Positive Social Connections
Concrete Support in Times of Need
Knowledge of Child Development and Parenting Skills
Parental Resilience
Social Skills and Emotional Self-Regulation in Children
See if you can find them as Maribel tells her story in her own words.
“Growing up, I was never involved in sports or extracurricular activities because my parents were always working. It was the culture in our family for the kids to help at home instead.
As an adult, I was following that same pattern. But then, the same day I came home from having my daughter, the police were waiting for me because my oldest son was in trouble. That’s when I realized I had to change things and couldn’t follow the same path as my parents. It was very challenging at the beginning. I felt that I was failing as a mother and didn’t know how to support my son.
This is when I attended the first presentation of the Highland Neighborhood Family Council. I saw this as an opportunity to get out in the community and find ways to help my family. Ever since, I have been more outgoing and informed about the resources available to us. It has helped my four kids a lot too. My three oldest boys are all participating in some sort of extracurricular activity, including wrestling, soccer, and after-school clubs. It has been life changing.
I’m still going through the probation process with my son. It’s been a long year and a half, but with the help of a therapist, juvenile department, teachers and community resources, the process has gotten easier.
I’m now facing another challenging phase in my life. My 2-year-old daughter is getting tested for autism and needs a lot of support. This time around, since I am more aware and informed, it has made the process much easier. I have received immediate attention and support for her. She has started early preschool and I’m getting a lot of assistance not just for her but for me as well. I’m learning how to handle certain situations and getting support for my mental health.
Before it was very hard for me to ask for help. I thought that it would make me look like a weak person if I did but now, I have learned that it is okay to ask for help. Support from others has changed my family for the better. My son has turned his life around and a bad situation has made us stronger. I believe that by supporting each other, we make a better world.”
Maribel holding a bowl full of raffle tickets for a local child to choose a winner at Highland NFC’s first Winter event
Maribel speaking at the 2023 Highland NFC Winter event alongside her fellow NFC members