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Thanks to our generous donors, over the last year Childreach has:
- led monthly Parent Circle programs in the Kipps Lane community, bringing families together to address parenting and neighbourhood challenges;
- introduced a new summer program AND a second stage program for our young moms group that has doubled in size;
- provided over 100 one-on-one parenting sessions to parents that are struggling; some of which required a translator;
- piloted a very successful ready for school family literacy program in a vacant store at Northland Mall.
Parents are the most important influence on a young child. By supporting parents, we work toward our dream of the best start in life for all children. We can’t do it alone.
Thanks for Giving!
Parents and caregivers of children with special needs will once again be able to draw on the experience of local educators and professionals during the third annual School Age Workshop.
The workshop, scheduled tomorrow Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, will feature staff from the centre, as well as the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board.
The full-day interactive workshops get underway at 9 a.m. and are geared to parents and caregivers of children with special needs who are now school-age or are about to enter the school system.
Sessions focus on topics such as social skills, sibling information, behaviour management, learning assessment recommendations and financial planning. The children’s program is about having fun, getting together to make friends and gaining new experiences such as a drum circle or yoga.
Keynote speaker Jeff Preston, an adult with MD and Founder of Mobilize March, has advocated for the needs of himself and others with disabilities who wish to live an independent and barrier-free life.
Parents and caregivers can also view displays about programs offers by TVCC and other community agencies, as well as demonstrations of new technology. Activities will also be offered for children age 4 to 16.
Registration for the workshop
– although subsidy may be available – is $10 per adult and $5 per child, which covers lunch, snacks and materials.
Go to www.tvcc.on.ca for more information and registration.
For More Information:
Carrie Connell, Education & Program Coordinator Thames Valley Children Centre, 779 Base Line Rd. E 519-685-8700 ext. 53367 Carrie.Connell@tvcc.on.ca
TERRORFEST 2010 is coming your way!
(WARNING: Terrorfest 2010 is not intended nor appropriate for those under 16 years of age. )
What is TERRORFEST 2010 you may ask? Well, it is one stellar week of Hallowe’en themed events that has been designed for YOU by the USC Charity Committee! The BEST part is that ALL of the money raised from these events will support a local charity. Our main attraction for the week is a HAUNTED FOREST that takes you on a horrific journey through a dark forest with a group of your closest friends! Not enough for you? Check out the full roster below!
Haunted Forest: Oct 26-29th, 7-11pm (Oct 28, 7-10pm)
$2 entrance fee
Located in the forest behind Saugeen (meet at the bonfire in the Saugeen Parking Lot)
E-mail usc.charity@uwo.ca for large group bookings.
Horror Films: Oct 26-29th, 4pm
McKellar Theatre @ 4pm daily
FREE
Movie Selection:
Oct 26 – Paranormal Activity
Oct 27 – Scary Movie
Oct 28 – The Blair Witch Project
Oct 29 – I Know What You Did Last Summer
Zombie Pub (19 ): Oct 28th @ the Wave
Doors Open at 9pm
$3 Cover Charge
Costume Contests!
Come and celebrate Hallowe’en in style while supporting CHILDREACH!
Questions? Concerns? Email, usc.charity@uwo.ca or find us on Facebook!
Happy Hallowe’en!
The USC Charity Committee – To enhance the educational experience and quality of life for all undergraduates at The University of Western Ontario
October is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Ontario. The CAS of London and Middlesex has launched the Purple Ribbon Campaign this month to remind our community of the importance of preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect.
You are encouraged to visit the Purple Ribbon Campaign website www.useyourvoice.ca to learn more about how to recognize the subtle signs of child abuse and neglect, and the importance of reporting suspected incidents to CAS.
The CAS website www.caslondon.on.ca contains a comprehensive information package for both parents and professionals. CAS encourages us to download the information and share it with others.
Show your support for this campaign and help raise awareness of the devastating effects of child abuse and neglect by wearing the purple ribbon. If you would like ribbons for you and your family, friends and neighbours, please contact Andrew Holt at 519-455-9000 ext. 439 or at aholt@caslondon.on.ca .
Do you know someone who has had a baby and is feeling sad? overwhelmed? alone? or anxious?
The Mother Reach Drop-in program offers a safe place for women and families to connect with a peer support, a professional, and other families who are having similar experiences.
When: Every Thursday 1 – 3 pm
Where: Chalmers Presbyterian Church
342 Pond Mills Road (at Commissioners Rd.)
London, ON
For more information about postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, as well as other Mother Reach programs, call 519-672-HOPE (4673) or go to www.helpformom.ca.
You are not alone. There is help!
The Daddy and Me program is a weekly “program for dads, run by dads” that looks at ways to be better fathers for our children.
This program includes biological fathers, step-fathers, same-sex fathers – any male who is in a parenting role whether it’s custodial or non-custodial. This program is also open to soon-to-be fathers.
The group meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Childreach. Childreach is located at 265 Maitland St. between Bathurst St. and Hamilton Rd. Childminding is available at no cost for children 0-6 years old. Support fror this program is generously provided by funds from the Labatt 24-Hour Relay.
There will be a different topic every week which might include guest speakers. A light snack will also be served. Check for weekly updates on the Childreach website.
To register, contact Mary Ann Avey at 519-434-3644 x19 or register online here.
The Fathers Network is an 8-week group for dads run by dads that looks at ways for men to be better fathers to their children. The group may include biological fathers, step-fathers, same-sex fathers, and males who are in a parenting role. It is also open to first time fathers or soon-to-be fathers. Call Steve Didham at 519-455-9000 for more information.
We also have two “dad-specific” workshops coming in the New Year at Childreach :
Play With Me Daddy
Saturday, January 23 from 10 am to 12 noon – for dads to learn the importance of play and how it builds the father/child relationship.
Infant Massage
Saturdays, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 10 to 11 am – for dads and their babies under 6 months of age. Build a special connection!
Register online or call us for more information.
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.
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.
