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To the Editor:

My name is Marie Suarez I’m currently in the Parent Leadership Training Institute provided by the Bridge Family Center in West Hartford. It’s been a delight participating in this community family-based program. I have learned so much with peers and staff.

Parenting Leadership Training has really opened my eyes to address real issues involving children and parents, as a mom I am and desire to remain.

As a parent leader, I have decided to work on a community project to address children being abruptly removed from their biological parents and committed to the Department of Children and Families. As a mom, you can never prepare for such an event taking place – nestled happily with your children over your bosom as a safety net being torn and separated by the Department of Children and Families. While people enjoy their own families never expecting it to happen and hiding it under the rug, it happens more than often, and many parents must deal with this reality such as myself.

I’m currently a mother of six and had to fight for the one child I had in my care and am battling the family court system still today with my youngest. It happened to me twice with people I trusted and believed they were responsible enough to include me in my children’s life.

My community project is based on these issues that happened to me and others and still to this day being affected by the abrupt separation that fell within the state agency, Department of Children and Families. “Voices Heard and Voices Honored” focuses on supporting parents in an informal group setting to relax, take a step back and express your feelings in a safe way. Rebuilding trust that has been knocked down by people we should trust at their level of professional work position and also people who claim to have best interest.

We will share experiences and common interests within these issues. Really analyzing the DCF procedure and regulations that may have been violated in some cases. Getting knowledge and understanding by being aware of our rights as a parent should always be a priority for any nuclear dynamic family structure.

“Voices Heard and Honored” will meet at the Mosaic Parenting Center located in Hartford which is referred to by the Department of Children and Families as a reunification process while regaining custody. This program works hand-in-hand in the reunification process which is good opportunity to seek out parents to support for an hour every three weeks and make positive connection to possibly changing policy with the state government agency. This area has a domino effect and could possibly knock down generations.

We live amongst the community, and family plays a big part, and separation will only hurt the growing next generation to come. I am one of the many getting impacted as a mother, parent, and a strong woman. “Voices Heard and Voices Honored” will partner up with community agencies and build off parents with same hurtles and address real issues that need awareness to stop separation and isolation.

Once again, my name is Marie Suarez and I am a Parent Leader starting with real issues in my home and reaching out to others with awareness and changes amongst the community.

Marie Suarez
West Hartford
PLTI participant