AU Students Host Family Conversation Night

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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University students from the youth leadership development (YLD) major put their skills to practical use for two Church of God congregations in Anderson in March. 

In a cooperative event with South Meridian Church of God and Sherman Street Church of God, the Anderson University psychology department sponsored a Family Conversation Training event for parents of children ages 5 to 12. Anderson University YLD majors taught conversational skills to both parents and children to facilitate deeper and more meaningful conversations. A total of 80 parents, children, and community leaders attended.

“Having the opportunity to serve the community through interpersonal training has been such a neat experience for myself and my classmates,” said Kayden Key, a senior youth leadership development and psychology major. “One of my favorite parts of doing these skill nights is being able to spend meaningful time with the families who come out to the events and being able to provide them with skills that can deepen their family’s relationships.”

Anderson University youth leadership development majors, trained and supervised by Department of Psychology professors, have many additional opportunities to help individuals in the community, including trainings this year with the following groups: Indiana Army National Guard Victim Advocates, Peace and Conflict Transformation, Bethany Christian Church Sunday Night Youth, AU dance students on body image, and Sherman Street Church of God Marvelous Monday.

“The Family Conversation Training was successful because it required Sherman Street Church of God, South Meridian Church of God, and the Anderson University Department of Psychology to work with families from across Anderson in learning and practicing good conversation skills in the home,” said Zach Caress, family life pastor at South Meridian Church of God. “When healthy relationships are established in a family through healthy conversation, then kids are prepared to build healthy relationships with anyone. And healthy relationships lead to entire communities that look like the Kingdom of God.”

For more information contact Dr. Laura Stull from the Anderson University Department of Psychology.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.