The Family Resource Centre continues to provide family support and install family values through a variety of programs.
"We have just recently introduced a new program for a short period of time with a family fitness program,鈥� said Karolyn Kosheluk, co-coordinator. "The program is free and offers fitness sessions combined with learning basics fitness ideas and healthy lifestyle concepts. The instructor for the program is Lisa Moekerk and it is hosted in Preeceville on November 20 and December 4 and in Sturgis on November 27 and December 11," she said.
The programs are all funded by grants.
Other programs that the centre offers is Filling the Gap and Christmas hampers.
"The Christmas season is once again approaching and the centre provides families in need with a hamper. There are more than 36 families that usually require a Christmas hamper which has an approximately value of $100 plus a gift for children 15 and under. The hampers rely on community donations as does the Filling the Gap program,鈥� she stated.
Newly elected committee members for Filling the Gap are: Marilyn Bader, president; Leanne McDonald, vice-president; Evelyn Reagan, treasurer; and Sheila Klebeck, secretary.
The Drop-In and Play programs offered in Preeceville and in Sturgis continue to be very successful.
"The other things that we are working are the Santa Day with children's activities and literacy treat bags at the Christmas craft sale to be held December 1," she said. "We will be having Santa reading with Mrs. Claus and giving literacy treat books for each child. The books that each child will receive are through First Book Canada, where the focus is to get books into the hands of each child. I received 250 new books that will be available for each child to take home.鈥�
The Centre provides outreach support for children, families and the wider communities in the Sturgis, Preeceville and Endeavour areas.
All programming offered is free and accessible to all families. The mission statement of the Centre states: "A community that responds to the needs of children, youth and families; works together to ensure that there are adequate resources; is aware of the resources and is able to access these resources.鈥�
"The programs organized by the Centre are all funded by grants but the funding has been cut drastically," said Kosheluk. "Since the core funding has been cut, we have been challenged to find money for the program co-ordinator who facilitates the programs. The success of the Family Resource Centre is that we offer more programming and have an increase in people looking for assistance. We look at each community and the needs that are required.鈥�
Some of the programs that the Family Resource Centre has administered are: The Breakfast Cafe in the Preeceville School; Come Grow With Me; Summer Fun; Filling the Gap; Christmas hampers; early childhood development; senior and junior leadership classes; Preeceville School garden; family yoga and infant massage; literacy events and resource centres in the libraries.
