We Need This Connection: New PEPS Peer-Support Group Brings Military Parents Together
Parenting adolescents presents a unique set of challenges, from navigating mental health concerns, social and digital pressure, to understanding the complexities of identity development. These challenges are often compounded by language barriers and cultural differences for immigrant families and other historically underserved communities. Recognizing this, PEPS partners with community organizations to offer the Program for Parents of Adolescents and Teens (PAT) in a more culturally relevant way. The PAT Program offers peer support groups, where families gather in person or virtually with a trained facilitator every week for either four or nine weeks to connect, learn in community, and find support.
Extending PEPS Programming for Hispanic and Immigrant Communities
Since 2021, PEPS has partnered with Sistema Escolar USA to offer PAT Groups designed for Spanish-speaking families. This partnership involved “transcreating” the PAT curriculum—not merely translating it but adapting it to reflect the cultural context of Hispanic families. Liliana Medina, founder of Sistema Escolar USA, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
“I wanted to bring this to the Spanish community because I needed it when I was raising my own child. I didn’t have access to any program like this and all the resources were in English.” — Liliana Medina
Sistema Escolar offers PAT Groups virtually, reaching families in other states and even internationally. Since 2024, PEPS has expanded our PAT partnerships to include organizations such as NAMI Eastside, ChildStrive, and Mercy Housing, enabling in-person meetings in Spanish. New collaborations with Empower Youth Network and The Circle allowed the program to reach families on the Eastside and Snoqualmie Valley. PEPS also expanded English language groups through partnerships with Hamlin Robinson School and Launch, tailoring the program to the unique needs for neurodiverse kids and low-income families.
This year, PEPS has also collaborated with organizations such as the Lake Washington Parent Teacher Student Association (LWPTSA), King County Library in Newport Way, Girl Scouts, and Summit Sierra School to offer community workshops and we continue to seek new partnerships to expand the program to other languages and communities.
Building a Supportive Community
The PAT Program fosters a sense of community among participants, encouraging parents to share experiences and support one another. Isis Lara, an educator and now one of the PAT Group Leaders for Launch, reflected on the program’s impact:
“As an educator, I have seen the side of the administration, students, and teachers. The group allowed me to learn the parents’ perspective.” She also mentioned how “families were not afraid to go deep to share experiences, and that helped to learn a lot.”
These shared experiences underscore the program’s philosophy that wisdom is in the room, highlighting the value of peer support and collective learning.
Participants have reported significant personal growth and improved family dynamics. One parent shared a newfound understanding of parenting:
“Now I can understand better that raising a child is not just like directing the traffic, like giving orders and do this, do that. Raising a child is more like taking care of a garden.”
Another parent found the program provided a safe space to express vulnerability:
“In this space that the PEPS program provided for me, I could be really raw, and I could really ask for the help that I needed without having to pretend that everything is fine.”
As Romy Romero, the Bilingual Program Coordinator for NAMI Eastside, shared: “It was not only education—it was community connection.” The PAT Program provided an outlet for Hispanic families to learn more about mental health, an area Romy said they’re eager to explore. She was pleasantly surprised to see that half of the attendees of the PAT Group were male. She shared, “People did not have the information before, so the curriculum was very relevant.”
Why Parent Support Groups Matter Now More Than Ever
In his 2024 advisory, Parents Under Pressure, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized that disconnection is a public health crisis—especially for parents. He noted that community connection is not a luxury, but a necessity. “Creating accessible spaces where parents can share their experiences, build relationships, and receive support can dramatically reduce feelings of isolation and burnout.”
Dr. Murthy emphasized that when adults are mentally and emotionally supported, they are better equipped to care for and nurture their children. He calls on organizations to create safe, inclusive spaces where parents can connect, access resources, and reduce isolation. Organizations like PEPS and its partners are answering that call, building trusted, culturally relevant support systems that help families thrive through programs like PAT. These efforts not only uplift individual families but also strengthen entire communities.
As one of our partners mentioned, “On these days with social insecurity that Hispanics are facing, creating spaces where they can talk about mental health is more needed than ever.”
Different communities face different stressors, but everything becomes easier when we do it together. When we offer safe spaces for caregivers to seek support, we’re not only helping them—we’re also showing the next generation that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. We’re showing them the value of surrounding oneself with a trusted community for mutual support through life’s challenges.
Help Us Reach More Families
Learn more and partner with PEPS! Contact Gloria Martinez, the PEPS Program for Parents of Adolescents and Teens Bilingual Outreach Manager or visit the PEPS website to learn more.
About the Author
Gloria Martinez (she/her/ella) is the Program for Parents of Adolescents and Teens (PAT) Bilingual Outreach Manager at PEPS. She has a passion for building tools that support families and create meaningful change in the communities they serve. Her experience as a psychologist across different countries and communities, combined with her perspective as a parent, has deepened her conviction that connection is the foundation for collective growth and lasting impact.
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