Parent Support Groups (PSG)
Parent Support Groups (PSG) were developed by INROADS parents to provide support for members and interns, as well as offer assistance to local affiliates and INROADS, Inc. Initially created in a single affiliate, Nashville, in 1982, the multiple benefits of the PSG quickly ignited parents in other cities to create sister organizations across the country. Three affiliates, Nashville, Atlanta, and Charlotte, united in 1983 to officially begin the National Parent Support Group. In 1987 the first NPSG conference was held in Kansas City, MO. Bill McDaniel of Nashville, chairman of the NPSG, traveled nationwide to foster parent involvement, organization of local PSGs and develop a spirt of national camaraderie. As a result, by 1995 there were thirty-four active PSGs in existence.
To represent their commitment and appreciation for the benefits their children received, the NPSG began an essay contest that awarded $12,000 annually to students and worked to fulfill a $250,000 five year pledge to INROADS, Inc. In addition to contests, newsletters, annual family picnics, golf classics, and Safe Haven program, NPSG initiatives expanded into economic recycling, parent skill training, and the production of a cookbook – “Making INROADS in the Kitchen.”
The Safe Haven program was designed to provide students away from their home cities with a base of local support in the event of an emergency. Thirty -four cities had volunteers available to provide ‘safe haven’. The second National Golf Classic held in Nashville had attendees from St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, North Carolina Triangle as well as Nashville. In 1998 the Colorado PSG sponsored two golf outings that netted $80,000 which supported several INROADS activities, student scholarships, and other supportive initiatives.
The Safe Haven program was designed to provide students away from their home cities with a base of local support in the event of an emergency. Thirty -four cities had volunteers available to provide ‘safe haven’. The second National Golf Classic held in Nashville had attendees from St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, North Carolina Triangle as well as Nashville. In 1998 the Colorado PSG sponsored two golf outings that netted $80,000 which supported several INROADS activities, student scholarships, and other supportive initiatives.
National Parent Support Group Reflection:
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