The Kamsack Family Resource Centre, which evolved from the former Families First program in the community, began its support of district families late last year from its space located in the lower floor of Crowstand Centre.
Last week, as families assembled, either for one or more of the various programs offered, or merely for social reasons, the youngsters were able to have a hands-on, up-close exposure to a family of five baby rabbits which, with their mother, inhabited a cage in the corner of the centre’s playroom. Kerry Ann Nunn, a district farmer, had brought the cage of “tiny bunnies” to the centre.
The Kamsack Family Resource Centre offers programming that is focused on supporting healthy childhood development and positive parenting skills for families with young children, said Andrea Verigin, the centre’s facilitator. “We welcome parents or caregivers with young children who live in or visit the community.
“We are a gathering place where families with children can attend programs that address their interests and needs,” Verigin said. Sunrise Health Region is operating the centre in partnership with the Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (SIGN) to provide various programs and supports, utilizing the expertise and resources of local service providers.
“Your family will have free access to all of our programs and services including round trip transportation if needed,” she said. “We also offer child care for our parenting education classes.”
Among the programs that are conducted from the centre are: Triple P (Postive Parenting Program), drop-in and play times, regional Kids First programs; a Shelwin House outreach, Sunrise Health Children’s therapy program, a mom-and-baby yoga program and baby massage.
Open Mondays through to Fridays, the centre is a place for the sharing of parenting information, said Lois Okrainec, the manager of the Kids First program for Sunrise Health Region, who is also a member of the centre’s board of directors and the supervisor of the program.
Kim Gelowitz, who had been essential in the establishment of the Yorkton Family Resource Centre, is a mentor for Verigin, Okrainec explained.
“Our programming is geared to families from the pre-natal stage to about age five,” she said, urging persons interested to contact the program’s Facebook page where a calendar of upcoming events and programs is posted.
“We are a connection to many other services,” she said. “We’re like a ‘one stop shop,’”
Included in the list of current programs at the centre is a baby massage session that is held once a month, and a support group for breast-feeding mothers.
In the past it was discovered that when families needed to arrange for sessions with various professionals, there had been no place to have those meetings, Verigin said, explaining that the centre is an ideal place for such meetings.
“We’re also learning that food security is an issue in Kamsack,” she said. “We need a food bank.”
Verigin said the board of the Kamsack Family Resource Centre is very pleased that the board of the Kamsack Library has agreed to allow the centre to make use of the larger space in the library when needed.
“We plan to have a grand opening of the centre in late spring,” Verigin said.
