The Estevan Family Resource Centre has come a long way since it opened back in the winter of 2002.
At that time, it was located in a tiny building on Fourth Street. There was a small area for children to play, and a few programs geared towards children under the age of three.
About a year after their opening, the family centre relocated to a larger space in the 1300-block of Seventh Street, which has been their home ever since. They have expanded their fleet of programs to include people of all ages, and some single people have accessed their programs as well.
Colleen Macmillan has been the centre’s co-ordinator almost since its inception. She has witnessed the changes that have occurred, and how the community has been behind it.
“Our focus eventually became the zero to five age group, and then we added the summer programs, and workshops and programs for the older kids,” she said in an interview with Lifestyles. “And then there were adult programs, workshops, forums and parenting classes that ran more than evening workshop sessions.”
The family centre has also built up connections with other community groups and agencies over the years.
A counsellor position was eventually created due to the number of people accessing the programs and looking for assistance. Deanna Brown has held that job since September. She provides crisis intervention counselling, and she provides support to individuals and families who might not fit the mandate of other agencies.
“This is the best job I’ve ever had,” said Brown. “I’m so glad and happy to work here. There is a definite need for my position.”
She has seen people from all demographics and economic classes. And she is willing to see single people, too, since, according to Brown, everyone is part of a family in some fashion.
Programs cover such topics as early learning for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers, and they have programs for children, and parent education and support. They also have a girls’ circle that provides interaction and support for teens and pre-teens.
A community kitchen is not only used for their programs, but is available for use for free for community groups.
There have been some constants since they opened 15 years ago. One has been Drop In and Play time each day, in which parents or guardians can bring in children to play with toys, enjoy games and interact in a fun setting. Last year the sessions attracted more than 13,000 visitors.
It wasn’t their only popular program, either. About 300 families participated in their summer programs, and another 500 families used their programs throughout the year. They also had close to 300 people utilize their counselling services.
Macmillan noted they’re starting to see second generation visitors. Some people who visited the family centre when they were children are now adults and are bringing their own children on a regular basis.
Others who used to be at the centre in their younger days are now running the summer programs at the centre.
One other aspect about their operations hasn’t changed: their programs are free. The exception is the summer programs, which carry a small fee to attend.
“The summer programs are also very expensive to do,” said Brown. “It helps with attendance and supplies to charge a nominal fee.”
Macmillan said free programming has always been a priority for the centre.
“It’s no secret right now what the economy has done to the southeast part of Saskatchewan,” said Macmillan. “I think there are a lot of people who don’t understand how hard hit some families are, and a lot of families who have never experienced needing free services before are now needing them, and accessing them a lot.”
The economic slowdown has had an impact on the organization. It has reduced the number of donations they receive, and it has also affected the types of programs they offer. One of their upcoming workshops is on budgeting.
“It was something that we’ve discussed in great length here because of the way the economy is, and the amount of people coming in for emergency supplies has increased,” said Macmillan.
Those emergency supplies include infant formula, diapers, wipes and baby food. Macmillan proudly stated that even though the family centre doesn’t question people who need the supplies, nobody has abused the system.
People who access the programs are very appreciative, Macmillan said. For them, the family centre is a “safe haven” where they can use the play space, ask questions, and access the emergency supplies.
They will have several fundraisers this year to ensure their programming remains free. A winter garage sale will happen at their building on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m.
The agency has taken over the organization of Estevan’s Baby, Bump and Toddler Expo, and that event will occur in May. They will also have a golf tournament in June.
And they are a member agency for the United Way Estevan. The money they receive also goes a long ways for their programming.
The family centre will celebrate their 15th birthday, as well as Valentine’s Day and Family Day, by hosting an open house on Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
