The MIT Family Resource Center has added special discussion meetings to its fall programs to assist members of the MIT community in coping with the impact of the terrorist attacks on family and community life.
A discussion group will be held tomorrow (Sept. 20) from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 16-151 on "Helping Children with the Impact of Terrorism." Led by center staff, the meeting is designed to provide an opportunity for members of the community to share questions and insights about helping children from preschool through school-age years with their experiences of the recent terrorist acts.
A similar discussion group will be held Friday, Sept. 21 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 16-151 on "Helping Adolescents with the Impact of Terrorism" for those working with or caring for pre-teens and teens.
Attendees are asked to preregister for these two groups by calling the Family Resource Center at x3-1592 or sending e-mail to frc@mit.edu. Packets of information and relevant web sites are also available, and members of the community are encouraged to contact the center for these materials, as well as for individual consultations and referrals to other MIT and community services.
On Thursday, Oct. 4, a previously scheduled workshop on "When We Are Innocent Bystanders" led by Mary Rowe, ombudsperson and adjunct professor of management, will include case studies drawn from recent events as well as everyday life. The cases, such as encountering racist remarks on campus or witnessing activities that might be considered suspicious, will serve as a framework for discussion and exchange about some of the dilemmas experienced by all of us when we are bystanders. The workshop will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in a location to be announced.
The Family Resource Center's regular program of workshops and briefings begins next week with a workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 25 on "Moving to Boston: Tips for International Newcomers" from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 16-151, led by Anne P. Copeland, director of the Interchange Institute in Brookline. Other upcoming events include workshops on communicating in difficult situations, parenting and preparing for parenthood.
Also scheduled are biweekly infant/toddler child care briefings and a short-term/back-up child care briefing, as well as an elementary schools information fair.
For a complete schedule of workshops and briefings and to preregister, visit the Family Resource Center web site. Further information can also be obtained by calling the center at x3-1592 or e-mailing frc@mit.edu.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on September 19, 2001.
