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As a member of the Hyde Park Lions Club, our Board President Matt Brown is helping organize their first ever Santa Claus Parade along Gainsborough Road on Saturday, November 28 from 11 a.m.
The parade with begin at Sherwood Forest Mall and travel west on Gainsborough Road. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available along Gainsborough Road, so bring a lawn chair, pick out a good location, and enjoy the parade!
The parade is operated by the Hyde Park Lions Club as a service to the Community. Any profits will be used for Lions programs and community betterment.
Plans are underway to have many community groups take part with parade participants collecting non-perishable foods to support the local food banks and the Salvation Army. Canada Post staff will be collecting those important “Letters to Santa” and much more.
Here’s the facebook event page .
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Matt.
Project Overview
Childreach applied for Community Services Innovation Funding from the City of London in December 2008. The proposal was accepted and will help to fund the development of parenting support circles in the Kipps Lane area. This is a time-limited project. It began in September 2009 and will end in the spring/summer of 2010.
This project will engage parents of children (0-13 yrs) in the Kipps Lane area. Community surveys have indicated that families living in this area struggle with issues of isolation, poverty, language, literacy, and employment. There are many single parent, immigrant, and young parent families. The issues they face decrease their quality of life. If we can influence the impact of these issues in positive ways, we can reduce the long-term negative impact on the development of young children, creating pride and hope for their future. We will build on the existing strengths in this neighbourhood by providing leadership training and coaching to six parents with regards to facilitation of ongoing parent support groups.
Parent Leaders will be selected from this neighbourhood and represent diversity in age, gender and culture. Monthly leadership sessions will be followed up with monthly parent circles (comprised of parents from the neighbourhood). Topics for discussion will be determined by the participants. Parents often request information and support regarding positive discipline, finding community resources, feeling more confident about their parenting, and stress management. Childminding will be provided. Snacks will be prepared by participants (funding will be provided for food purchases). Feedback regarding group facilitation will be provided by the mentor after each parenting circle. Subsequent leadership training will involve goal setting, problem-solving, reflection, and resource-seeking skill development.
This initiative emphasizes citizen engagement and community development. By building the capacity of parents living in this area, the project will build on the work of the City of London, ongoing work of community organizations, and countless individuals. The project will also contribute toward strengthening the uniqueness and resourcefulness of the community. An honorarium will be given to group facilitators for the duration of the project, and it is hoped that parents will continue to see the value of meeting together to improve understanding and increase support to one another. This project will create an opportunity for community development and family leadership.
If you or someone you know would be interested in joining the parenting circles, please call Marg at 519-434-3644 x38. Meetings are held at Northbae Public School, 335 Belfield St. here in London. Dates to be announced.
After a thoughtful process, the Board of Directors of Childreach is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne McKay to the position of Executive Director effective immediately. We are confident that given Anne’s extensive experience with this organization and within this community that she is exceptionally well suited to lead Childreach moving forward.
Anne has a long history of success throughout her over 20 years of experience with Childreach. Most recently Anne served as the Program Manager for the organization where she managed the London system of Ontario Early Years Centres for London North Centre and was responsible for all aspects of Childreach programming in our community. Anne’s dedication to children and families, to building community partnerships and to the Childreach team will be important assets in her role as Executive Director and will serve the organization well moving forward.
As Childreach approaches its 35th anniversary in the coming year, we are excited about the vision and leadership that Anne brings to her new position in our organization. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with you as we work together to serve children and families from our community.
Childreach has a very proud history – and it has a bright future. Please join us in welcoming Anne to her new role.
Sincerely
Matt Brown, Board President
Childreach and Community Living London are pleased to announce the blending of the Toy Lending Library and the Teach and Play Program at Childreach, 265 Maitland St.
Please join Childreach Board President Matt Brown and Community Living London Board President Ann Hutchison at an Open House on Wednesday, November 4 from 4 to 5 p.m. to celebrate this exciting partnership.
Please RSVP to Jane Powers by email or by phone at 519-434-3644 x36.
Mark your calendars! Friday, November 6, 2009 is Childreach’s 5th Annual Soup & Chili Luncheon fundraiser for the United Way Campaign. Last year we had more than twenty of the most delicious soups and chilis from which to taste – all home-cooked by our staff, and we raised over $750! We guarantee you will not be disappointed. It’s all-you-can-eat for a minimum donation of $7 to United Way. Just drop in for lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to fill up; although, we recommend coming earlier rather than later as the crockpots empty fast!
Nadine Reeves, Administrative Assistant
With funding from the City of London, Childreach is pleased to present Parenting Support Circles for parents of children 1-12 years old living in the Kipps Lane neighbourhood. The next meeting is on Monday, October 26 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Northbrae Hub, 335 Belfield St.
Being a parent is a joyful experience, but it can also be very stressful. Parent Support Circles give mothers and fathers an opportunity to meet other parents and recognize they are not alone. At Parent Support Circles, parents can invite guest speakers, organize activities for children and parents, talk about the worries (and excitement) of being a parent.
For more information, call Marg at 519-434-3644 x38.
While family and friends are gathering for Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate and share all that they are thankful for, Childreach invites you to join a new tradition of giving back, called Thanks & Giving. Make your Thanks & Giving contribution to Childreach here or to another charity of your choice through www.canadahelps.org.
Childreach knows that parenting is learned, not inherited, and recognizes that it is the most important job you will ever do! Everyone needs help at some time, and our special parenting groups and one-on-one supports are provided to the London community free of charge. These programs are dependent on grants, donations and the proceeds of special events held throughout the year. In 2009/2010 Childreach must raise $50,000. Please give as generously as you are able.
Thanks & Giving is an initiative of Imagine Canada to encourage philanthropic giving in Canada. Imagine Canada is a national charity that looks into and out for Canada’s charities and nonprofits.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Powers
Community Relations & Development
519-434-3644 x36
Nobody’s Perfect is a free parenting program for parents of children from 0-6 years. At a Nobody’s Perfect group, you and other parents will talk about things like:
- why children act the way they do
- how to keep children safe
- what children can do at different ages
- how to keep your children healthy
- how to feel good about yourself and your kids
Free child care for children and snacks are provided.
When: Fridays, November 6 to December 18 (no class November 20)
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Northbrae Public School, 335 Belfield St., London, ON
To register or for more information, call Marg at 519-434-3644 x38.
