LiFT (Linking Families & Teens)

Connect With Your Teen

LiFT is an interactive full-day family connection workshop designed to help families share their values, build their family bond, and talk about the tough stuff – including sexual health and healthy relationships.

Youth ages 13-19 and their supportive adult(s)* are invited to attend this FREE program, coming soon to locations around WV.

*Supportive adults may include parents, stepparents, grandparents, foster parents or any adult who is helping to raise a teen.

Breakfast and lunch are provided, and each youth and adult participant receives a $50 gift card at the end of the program. Adults will also receive an additional $50 to help offset transportation and other related costs.

Interested in attending? Click the button to sign up for notifications about upcoming workshops in your area.

Click Here to Sign Up!

Hear What Participants Are Saying!

“This program has taught me to be open to communicate about the ‘tough stuff’ with my girls. My daughter now comes to me with questions or experiences and I listen with an open mind, no judgment. I greatly appreciate how this LiFT program has helped open up the communication in my family.”

– LiFT Supportive Adult

“It’s helped my adult and I gain more confidence in one another. I feel like I got to know more about them and now I know I could trust them with anything.”

– LiFT Teen

Why LiFT?

Although teens say they want to connect and talk with their adults about sexuality, many adults say that they feel uncomfortable and ill-equipped to have conversations with their young person about sexual health topics.

Research shows that strong connection between parents and teens is a superpower that helps teens achieve their goals and supports healthy outcomes, including: decreased rates of unwanted pregnancy, STIs, depression, drug and alcohol use; and increased school success.

In qualitative data collected at the end of the LiFT workshop and 9 months later, youth and parenting adult participants say they are having more tough talks, and credit LiFT with building their confidence and skills to have conversations around sexuality and relationships; helping to increase trust between family members, and to be more open and empathetic with one another. These results are supported by quantitative data three months after LiFT workshop completed by youth and their supportive adults.

Partner With Us

Are you part of a West Virginia-based organization that serves parents or teens and interested in bringing LiFT (Linking Families & Teens) to your community?

WV FREE is seeking youth- and family-serving organizations and trusted community members across the state to partner with us in hosting and recruiting for LiFT workshops.

LiFT is designed to strengthen communication and connection between parents/caregivers and teens — and we know it works best when it’s rooted in community.

Whether you are an organization ready to host or a parent leader ready to mobilize your community, we would love to partner with you.

📩 Reach out today or complete our interest form to get started.

Click Here To Complete Our Partner Interest Form

Girl Scout LiFT Patch

Want to bring LiFT to your local Girl Scout Troop? We have a LiFT Program Patch for that! Youth can attend a LiFT workshop, complete the corresponding steps based on their level (Cadette, Senior, Ambassador)

Questions?

Contact our SHARE Program Coordinators:

Kiaya Pierson | kiaya@wvfree.org

Kelsey Gray | kelsey@wvfree.org

Or give us a call at:

(304) 342-9188

Organizational Partners (Host Sites)

Organizations can serve as official LiFT host sites and receive a stipend for recruitment, coordination, and space support.

Partners Can Include:
Nonprofits, clinics, schools, faith communities, local businesses, youth programs, parent groups, sports/arts programs, and more.

What We Provide:

  • Qualified trainers and full LiFT curriculum

  • All workshop materials and supplies

  • Registration management and outreach materials

  • Participant stipends and meals/snacks

  • Data collection and reporting

  • Follow-up resources for families

Partners Help Us By:

  • Recruiting youth and parents/caregivers

  • Providing a safe, welcoming, and accessible space

  • Ensuring one staff member is present during workshop sessions

  • Coordinating logistics with WV FREE

  • Submitting an invoice after program completion

Organizational Partner Stipend

Stipends are tiered based on the number of youth participants recruited and supported through workshop completion.

Stipend Tiers:

  • 10–14 youth participants: $500

  • 15–19 youth participants: $750

  • 20+ youth participants: $1,000

Final stipend amounts are confirmed based on actual participation.

Important Details:

  • Stipends compensate for staff time, outreach, coordination, and space use

  • A signed MOU is required prior to payment

  • Payment is issued within 30 days of completed workshop and invoice submission

  • Stipends are contingent on meeting recruitment minimums

  • Adjustments may be made if participation falls below the selected tier

  • Subject to funding availability

If you think LiFT would be a fit for your community, we want to talk to you! Fill out our partner interest form or send us an email directly to get in touch with us! 

Become a Parent Ambassador

Parent Ambassadors are trusted community members who help connect families to LiFT through relationship-building and grassroots outreach.

This role recognizes the power of family-to-family trust and lived experience in strengthening participation.

Parent Ambassador Stipend

Parent Ambassadors receive a $250 stipend for successfully recruiting and supporting families to participate in a LiFT workshop.

To Qualify:

  • Recruit 3–5 families who enroll and attend the workshop

  • Complete agreed-upon outreach and coordination responsibilities

Final stipend amounts are confirmed based on actual participation.

Parent Ambassador Responsibilities:

  • Share outreach materials through personal networks (text, social media, word-of-mouth, community groups, etc.)

  • Help identify potential workshop spaces

  • Suggest scheduling preferences and meal options

  • Provide insight into community needs

  • Optionally assist during the workshop (welcoming families, check-in, creating a supportive environment)

Parent Ambassadors may also host informal LiFT Info Sessions (“Pizza Parties”) in partnership with WV FREE.

Payment Details (Parent Ambassadors)

  • Payment is issued after workshop completion

  • Minimum recruitment threshold must be met

  • Payment issued within 30 days of confirmed participation

  • Required paperwork must be completed prior to payment

  • Stipends are subject to funding availability

  • Parent Ambassadors are community partners, not employees of WV FREE