HUMBOLDT — MLA for Humboldt-Watrous and Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer cut the ribbon, welcoming community members to Humboldt’s first Early Years Family Resource Centre for area families.
The grand opening on March 3 heralds the actual opening later this month, giving families with young children up to five years of age a range of drop-in and scheduled programming after $215,000 in provincial funding to go toward the startup of the facility was announced in April 2021.
Programming will include activities for babies and toddlers, access to information, professionals, as well as support groups where parents can share their experiences with others and seek advice.
Kevin Garinger, Horizon’s director of education, said they can’t underestimate the impact the new facility will have on Humboldt and area.
The Horizon School Division serves as operating partner, while Partners Family Services serves as the staffing partner. A community board of directors serves as an advisory committee.
“We know that early childhood development sets the foundation for lifelong learning, it sets a foundation for behavior and for health,” Garinger said.
“We know play is how children learn to master their environments, how they test things and satisfy their curiosity. This natural drive for play mirrors another, equally important life skill and that’s resiliency.”
He said that the centre came about after doing a Horizon-wide assessment of children from three months to starting school, which identified youth have needs for early years programming. Following this, the Ministry of Education contacted Horizon about the opportunity to bring a centre to the community.
“It was through that conversation then that I took it to our board of education and I said, ‘This is what we have an opportunity to do,’ and they were very excited about it.”
Harpauer said having support for early years is critical for who someone becomes as an adult.
“There are times children may have developmental issues, parents are frustrated and are not sure where to start – there you go. This is the resource they need,” Harpauer said. “To have just that support, to have this steering where you need to go is critical.”
Other dignitaries in attendance included Hayley Kennedy, executive director of Partners Family Services, Elder Stuart Bitternose of George Gordon First Nation, and Coun. Larry Jorgenson from the City of Humboldt.
“We’re very fortunate to be living in one of the more prosperous areas of the province and with prosperity comes growth and with growth comes more people,” Jorgenson said. “We’re going to need more and more of these supports. So it’s great to see the Horizon School Division and the other partners getting together to create this facility, and hopefully there will be more of them to come.”
The Centre is located at 1605 Glenn Hall Drive. Community members who are seeking more information are encouraged to visit the website on heyfrc.ca, but may also call at 306-682-5004.
