Lift Community Service’s (Lift) Family Place Resource Centre is celebrating 20 years of supporting young families in the qathet region with an open house event on Wednesday, November 27, between 11 am and 1 pm. People who drop in will have an opportunity to see the space, meet the team and learn more about the program, according to a media release from Lift.
Family Place, which has been located inside Powell River Town Centre mall since 2004, originated out of a community needs assessment Lift helped conduct in the early 2000s. That identified the need for additional support for young families.
“Family Place truly is one of Lift’s original programs that focuses on reducing harms associated with food insecurity,
isolation and poverty,” stated program manager Jessica Colasanto. "We recognize the importance of early intervention for young families facing any type of barrier and set them up for success with a whole range of supports."
Colasanto said the program offers free hot lunches and snacks, grocery cards, a free food pantry and hygiene cupboard, clothing and toy swaps, playgrounds for babies and children, group field trips and community activities. The centre also hosts parent workshops and connections to local service providers such as public health, dental hygienists and infant development specialists.
“The thing we hear most from caregivers is how valuable the sense of community and connecting with other parents is for them,” added Colasanto. “Especially in the early days of parenting, many of these families would otherwise be home alone with no sense of connection or community. It’s inspiring to see the friendships that have developed and the personal growth that can happen when someone feels supported by their community.”
Guests are also encouraged to bring a contribution to the program’s food and toy drive.
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