While the affects of child abuse can be downright devastating, it's easy to lose sight of the big picture and what can be done to make sure parents have the tools they need to raise healthy and happy children.

Joyce Guest is every parent's dream: full of knowledge, tips and ideas.

"A lot of times you parent the way your parents parented. You know, that just crops up in your head. And, you know, maybe 20 years ago they parented more with spanking and hitting. But now it's more an emphasis on positive discipline, where you are teaching a child how to act and more self-control," said Family Services coordinator, Guest.

Guest works as a Family Services coordinator for the Salvation Army. It's her job to teach parents how to

parent.

"It'd be really simple to judge and say, 'You know, you're not a good parent.' But, you know, that doesn't accomplish anything. If we can help them by showing them a little bit of love and compassion and spend some time investing in them, then they are ready to change their heart a little bit and invest in making their kids and their family life healthy," said Salvation Army spokesperson Jenni Ragland.

And investing in parents is exactly what the Salvation Army is doing-- offering classes and in-home visits. It's just part of their Prevention Campaign designed to break the cycles that break families.

"I think the common trend is families that are dealing with substance abuse issues and moving on to sobriety and not relapsing and working with that family," said Guest.

The hardest part, Guest says, is asking for help. But once they do, the learning and treatment can be the key to a healthy family.

While most of the parents in the classes are referrals from the Office of Childrens Services, it's the Salvation Army's hope that all parents in need of a little guidance will come forward and take classes.

For the children whose parents didn't have that foresight, and they were taken from their homes

because of abuse and neglect, the Salvation Army is helping them too with their Cares for Kids program.

But they need your help. If you would like to donate to our Baby Blessings gift drive, here's how:

The Salvation Army is in need of new baby and children's items: from diapers and wipes to toys and videos. Gift cards are also very helpful.

Donations can be dropped off at their headquarters at:
143 East Ninth Avenue.

or at CBS 11 News headquarters at:
1007 W. 32 Avenue



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To contact Laura, call 907-273-3186.