Building Strong Futures is a program led by The Turning Point. It holds weekly workshops for parents and youth at the Deffibaugh Community Center in Princeton. Courtesy photo

A Princeton program launched last year is helping families strengthen relationships, manage everyday challenges and connect with resources — while also providing food assistance to those who need it.

Building Strong Futures, a free program for families with school-age children in the 75407 ZIP code, has served 52 families since May 2025 through workshops, health fairs and other support services.

Thirty-five parents and 73 youth have participated in the program’s six-week workshops, and more than 530 boxes of food have been distributed to participating families.

The program, led by The Turning Point, holds weekly workshops for parents and youth at the Deffibaugh Community Center in Princeton.

Aditi Parolkar, program coordinator for Building Strong Futures, said the program is designed to help families reduce stress, strengthen relationships and develop practical skills for navigating challenges involving health, finances and family life.

Parent workshops cover topics including resilience, health literacy, goal setting, boundaries, family communication and financial management.

Youth participate in an age-appropriate curriculum covering identity, self-esteem, compassion, consent, boundaries, leadership and money basics.

At the end of each session, parents and youth come back together to discuss what they learned. Families also share a meal every other week.

Although the workshops are organized in six-week sessions, families do not have to stop participating after completing one round.

“Registration for the Building Strong Futures program is always open and families in Princeton are encouraged to join,” Parolkar said. “Workshops are offered on a rolling basis and there is no deadline.”

Families can attend as many sessions as they would like, she said, and several have completed multiple rounds of workshops.

Building Strong Futures also partners with The Samaritan Inn to provide food assistance to participating families. Food boxes are distributed at weekly workshops and monthly enrichment sessions.

To qualify for the food assistance, families must participate in free or reduced-price school lunch, SNAP or Medicaid, or be experiencing a food crisis. Families needing additional help can be connected directly with The Samaritan Inn’s food pantry in McKinney.

Currently, 10 families are participating in weekly groups and receiving food support.

The program also hosts Community Health Fairs that connect Princeton residents with local services, screenings and wellness resources. Another health fair is being planned for October.

Building Strong Futures was launched with support from a Texas Health Community Impact grant. The current grant period runs through Dec. 31, 2026.

Parolkar said the organization has reapplied for Texas Health funding and is pursuing additional funding sources in hopes of continuing and expanding the program after the current grant period ends.

The Turning Point, which has served Collin County for more than 40 years, provides services for survivors of sexual violence as well as community-based violence prevention and education.

While Building Strong Futures has grown since its launch, Parolkar said organizers are continuing to seek families and community organizations that can help spread the word about the services available.

Groups are offered in English and Spanish, and food and childcare are provided.

Families interested in participating can visit buildingstrongfutures.com, call or text 469-946-0116 or email [email protected]. Registration is ongoing with no deadline.

Financial and in-kind donations also are accepted through The Turning Point.

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