12081995 - News Article - Center helps families rebuild bonds of love

Center helps families rebuild bonds of love
NWI Times
Dec 8, 1995
http://www.nwitimes.com/uncategorized/center-helps-families-rebuild-bonds-of-love/article_5cbb5036-f442-55be-aa0a-89bb15011983.html
CHESTERTON -- Children and their parents are finding time to share and rebuild the bonds of family love, thanks in part to the Children/Parent Center.

"Families are Forever" is the motto of the center, which was established to provide a warm, comfortable setting for families to "find each other".

The center receives court referrals from the Porter County Superior Courts related to marital dissolutions and offers supervised and unsupervised visitation for children, parents and other relatives of the children. Transfers for custodial visitation and parenting classes are also offered at no expense to the parents.

Beatrice Lightfoot, Guardian Ad Litem for the Porter County Superior Courts, established the Children/Parent Center in October to meet a need for families in Porter and other counties for extended hours and especially holiday and week-end availability.

The non-profit corporation is located at 709-7 Plaza Drive in the Indian Boundary Plaza in Chesterton and is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturdays and Sundays are scheduled for the convenience of people referred for visitation.

The center is also open on holidays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. so that children will be able to share this time with their parents and families.

Karen L. Klein is director of the center. Klein was previously employed as office manager and visit supervisor at Family House in Valparaiso for two years, following 32 years of professional experience in the medical and business field. She will also supervise visits and transfers at the Children/Parent Center.

On Thanksgiving Day, the center's families and children enjoyed a turkey dinner compliments of The Country Cafe restaurant in Chesterton.

The restaurant, which is owned by Tom Nellesson and John and Diane Skoutaris, donated a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Any donations to the center are greatly appreciated. For more information, contact the facility at 921-0541.

A Child's Rights
A child has the right to love each parent without being subjected to the other parent's hurt or anger.

A child has the right to develop an independent and meaningful relationship with each parent and to enjoy the uniqueness of each parent and each home.

A child has the right to be free from involvement in parent's personal battles or being used as a spy, messenger, or a bargaining chip.

A child has the right to extended family relationships, which include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and others and to appreciate the unique differences of each side of his or her family and not have these differences referred to as better or worse.

A child has the right to be free from questions about the other parent's private life.

A child has the right to see his or her parents treat each other in a courteous and respectful manner.

A child has the right to develop and maintain activities and friends without fear of losing time with a parent.

A child has the right to be a child without having to assume adult and/or parental roles or duties.

A Parent's Rights
A parent has the right to love and nurture one's child without harassment from the other parent.

A parent has the right to receive respect and courtesy and the obligation to show respect and courtesy.

A parent has the right to attend and participate in a child's special activities.

A parent has the right to information regarding a child's physical, mental and emotional health.

A parent has the right during parenting time to follow one's own standards, beliefs and style of child-rearing without interference from the other parent.

A parent has the right to a separate and private life.