Newsletter
June 2017 Newsletter
May 31, 2017
June 16, Friday: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Family Daycare Morning Family daycare providers are welcome to bring their kids for a special morning of playtime just for them! Please sign up with Maria or Ewa.
June 30, Friday: 10 AM - 1 PM Canada Day Celebration Join us as we celebrate Canada turning 150 year old! Crafts, face painting, and entertainment are just some of the fun festivities. Bring your own lunch and a picnic blanket.
Thank you to all our families who have purchased or renewed their memberships. Your support is greatly appreciated. In order to meet our fundraising goal, we need 333 families to purchase/renew their membership. We continue to accept payment via cash, cheque or credit card. The annual membership is $45 for the year (which breaks down to only 86 cents per week!) and expires at the end of April 2018. For more information, please talk to any staff at the Family Centre.
Please be aware that the gravel is very slippery. We are working on finding a solution to this problem. In the meantime, if any family member can donate some time to shove/sweep the gravel back in its place, please let us know. We have a shovel and some brooms readily available in the bike shed. As well, parents and caregivers should monitor/prevent the children dumping the gravel on the blue surface, wooden benches and walkway.
July 7 - August 11, Fridays: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Nobody's Perfect This parent support education group allows parents to get a better understanding of their children's development, meet other parents and share ideas. For more information, please contact Flora at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A current Family Centre membership is needed to participate.
May 2017 Newsletter
April 28, 2017
May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, Wednesdays: 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm during afternoon Drop-In. Participants do not need to register. Come sing, dance and play with Music Therapist, Melody Owen in our playroom. Family participation is required.
May 6 - June 17, Saturdays: 10 - 11:30 AM 1-2-3 Jump! Physical Literacy for 2.5 - 3.5 yr olds. Have fun with your child moving and learning in new ways. Registration is required.The program is offered free in partnership with Little Mountain Neighbourhood House. We ask that you have a current Family Centre membership to participate. Please speak with Flora if you are interested or to sign up for the next session.
May 22, Monday: Victoria Day The Family Centre will be CLOSED. Enjoy the long weekend!
www.mpfamilycentre.ca for instructions to join our team.
- Fundraising tools, ideas and tips
- Team buff headwear
- Fun community meet ups
- Team spirit and race day photos
- Heartfelt gratitude of families with young children that you're literally stepping up for
MAKE DONATION TO MP FAMILY CENTRE TEAM
100% of your donation goes to support the Family Centre.
The Family Centre has a plot in the community garden near the playground and we are looking for parents who are interested in exploring growth and development from a gardening perspective! Ask Flora for more information.
April 2017 Newsletter
April 12, 2017April 7 - May 12, Fridays: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Nobody's Perfect This parent support education group allows parents to get a better understanding of their children's development, meet other parents and share ideas. For more information, please contact Flora. A current Family Centre membership is needed to participate.
April 12, Wednesday: 10 am - 2 pm Easter PotluckPlease bring your favourite dish to share and some small wrapped treats for the Easter Bunny to share!
April 13, Thursday: AM & PM Drop-In Storytime with the VPL Librarian Come meet our librarian and enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories!
April 14, Friday and April 17, Monday: Good Friday and Easter Monday The Family Centre will be CLOSED.
April 24, Monday: 9:30-11:30 AM Dental Visit Screening during Drop-In for ages 1-3 years old who don't have regular dental check ups.
April 27, Thursday: 1 - 3 PM Dental Visit Workshop Info for babies during Baby Drop-In
April 5, 12, 19 and 26, Wednesdays: 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm during afternoon Drop-In. Participants do not need to register. Music Therapist, Melody Owen returns to our playroom to sing, dance and play. Family participation is required.
Looking forward to May....
May 2 - June 9, Tuesdays 1-3 PM and Fridays 9:30 -11:30 AM: ABC Time On these days, we close off part of our playroom to run a small kindergarten readiness program. The drop-in is still open, but the play space is smaller! For more information about our ABC program, please speak with Ewa or Maria. A family centre membership is required in order to participate.
May-June, Saturdays: 10 - 11:30 AM 1-2-3 Jump! Physical Literacy for 2.5 - 3.5 yr olds. Have fun with your child moving and learning in new ways. Registration is required.The program is offered free in partnership with Little Mountain Neighbourhood House. We ask that you have a current Family Centre membership to participate. Please speak with Flora to put your names on a contact list for the next session.
March Newsletter
February 27, 2017fabulous fundraiser!
March 9, Thursday: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM Savour Our Neighbourhood Leave your kids at home and join us for this event, featuring a sampling of bites from a variety of local restaurants, paired with local craft beer and wine. This is a 19+ event. Tickets available here
March 9, Thursday: Morning Drop-In Program will be OPEN but Baby Drop-In Program will be CLOSED in the afternoon in order to prepare for our event.
March 10, Friday: The Family Centre will be CLOSED on this day as we recover from putting on our fundraiser.
March 13-24: VSB Spring Break The Family Centre is OPEN through Spring Break.
March 14: 10:30 AM Fire Drill This will happen during morning Drop-In Program. It can be a fun and/or interesting experience, but it will definitely be a different sort of day for everyone. We will use a hand-held bell to alert the beginning of the drill.
March 29 - May 31, Wednesdays: 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm during afternoon Drop-In. Participants do not need to register. Come sing, dance and play with Music Therapist, Melody Owen. Family participation is required.
March 31 - May 12, Fridays: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Nobody's Perfect This parent support education group allows parents to get a better understanding of their children's development, meet other parents and share ideas. Ask Flora for more info and to sign up.
Saturdays: 10 - 11:30 AM 1-2-3 Jump! Physical Literacy for 2.5 - 3.5 yr olds. Have fun with your child moving and learning in new ways. Registration is required.The program is offered free in partnership with Little Mountain Neighbourhood House. We ask that you have a current Family Centre membership to participate. This session is full, but please speak with Flora to put your names on a contact list for the next session.
The Family Centre has a plot in the community garden near the playground and we are looking for parents who are interested in exploring growth and development from a gardening perspective! Ask Flora for more info.
New Books in our library
We have a variety of new books in our library, resources from parenting to child development. A current membership is required in order to check out the books. We also continue to sell Deborah MacNamara's book, Rest, Play, Grow. Deborah is senior faculty at the Neufeld institute. The book is based on the popular Neufeld course "Making Sense of Preschoolers" which we offer here at the centre. For more information about this book, please ask Flora.
Lost and Found
Have you lost something? Please check out the Lost and Found bin next time you are at the Family Centre. There are many things that need to be claimed such as hats, diaper bags, hoodies and enviro mugs. If you don't know where the Lost and Found bin is, please ask a staff and they will direct you to its location.
February 2017 Newsletter
January 31, 2017February at the Family Centre
February 7 - March 24, Tuesdays 1-3 PM & Fridays 9:30 - 11:30 AM:ABC Time On these Tuesdays and Fridays, we close off part of our playroom to run a small kindergarten readiness program. For more information about our ABC program, please speak with Ewa.
February 13, Monday:Family Day Holiday The Family Centre will be CLOSED.
Every Wednesdays starting February 8th...
Join Yazmin Vazquez (MPFCS Board Member) for an open discussion regarding Canada’s history featuring the material from the #OnThisDay website.
Each Wednesday from 10:00 - 10:30 am
Take away new knowledge that will dazzle your friends and family!
For more information, ask Flora or Theresa
Rediscover Canadian history from Confederation to today with the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) heritage collection. Throughout 2017, discover the today-in-history vignette highlighting a significant event that shaped our society. Join the conversation! Subscribe to LAC’s Facebook and Twitter pages or use the #Canada150 and #OnThisDay. Visit Canada.ca/OnThisDay to read the February stories!
The Playground
Our outdoor playground is ready for little ones to play on. At this time, we ask parents and caregivers to help keep the gravel in its own area. It can be a hazard when placed on the blue flooring area, especially when on an incline. We hope you enjoy the benefits to the outdoor playground such as exploration, fresh air and free play.
Savour Our Neighbourhood 2017 Early Bird Tickets! Deadline February 9th!
Join us for local beer, wine & bites from many of our Mount Pleasant eateries accompanied by live music on Thursday, March 9th. Get your early bird tickets while they last! CLICK HERE - Savour Our Neighbourhood 2017 Tickets
Check out the Early Bird and Draw Ticket Combo where you have 1/200 chance to win a Gift of Flight from West Jet!
Repair Person Needed!
The Family Centre has a number of small repairs that need to addressed. If you are handy and have the time, you are the volunteer that we are looking for. Please reply to this email. Thank you!
Lost & Found!
Have you lost something? Please check out the Lost and Found bin next time you are at the Family Centre. There are many things that need to be claimed such as hats, diaper bags, hoodies and enviro mugs. If you don't know where the Lost and Found bin is, please ask a staff and they will direct you to its location.
Looking ahead to March...
Recruitment for Nobody's Perfect - March 31 - May 12, Fridays
9:30 - 11:30 AM Nobody's Perfect This parent support education group allows parents to get a better understanding of their children's development, meet other parents and share ideas. Ask Flora for more info and to sign up.
January 2017 Newsletter
January 9, 2017January at the Family Centre
January 2, Monday:New Year Day Stat The Family Centre will be CLOSED.
January 3, Tuesday: Welcome Back! The Family Centre will be reopen with regular program hours.
January 12, Thursday: Librarian visit from the Vancouver Public Library during AM Drop-In and PM Baby Drop-In
January 25, Wednesday: The Family Centre will be CLOSED.
January 20 - March 3, Fridays - 7 weeks: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Making Sense of Preschoolers Gordon Neufeld provides insight into their shyness, separation anxieties, aggression, resistance, oppositionality and more. Making sense of these confusing yet wondrous creatures lays the foundation for intuitive and rewarding parenting. A current Family Centre membership is required. Cost for the program is $70. For more information, contact Flora.
January 21 - March 18, Saturdays: 10 - 11:30 AM 1-2-3 Jump! Physical Literacy for 2.5 - 3.5 yr olds. Have fun with your child moving and learning in new ways. Registration is required.The program is offered free in partnership with Little Mountain Neighbourhood House. We ask that you have a current Family Centre membership to participate. To register, please contact Flora.
Parent as Provider
When you sign-in at the family centre, we are now encouraging the adults to take responsibility for putting the piece of fruit they have brought to share on the fruit plate, as well as for putting money in the donation box. We recognize that there are a variety of reasons adults might want to include their children in these steps, however, providing food and monetary support are the adult's job. Also, much of the fruit gets damaged - either from being dropped or squeezed before getting on the plate!
Looking ahead to February...
February 7 - March 24, Tuesdays: 1 - 3 PM ABC Time On these Tuesday afternoons, we close off part of our playroom to run a small kindergarten readiness program. The drop-in is still open, but the play space is smaller! For more information about our ABC program, please speak with Ewa or Maria.
Even in January, Your Membership Counts!
Annual membership runs from May 1st to April 30th, and costs $45 per year. Membership fees are a much needed part of our annual revenue and help fund our Family Drop-In program, parent education, workshops, special events and seasonal celebrations.
Membership is an integral part of community participation and an effective way to contribute to our sustainability. If you purchase or renew your membership in January, that's less than $3 per week!
If you did not have a membership last year, please go directly to our membership page. To renew your membership please go to CanadaHelps.org. When you visit the Family Centre, you can pay using cash, credit card, or cheque. Please speak to one of our Family Support Workers and they will help you.
Family Day Care Providers and Nannies are asked to request parents of the children in their care to purchase an MPFCS membership.
October 2016
October 3, 2016October at the Family Centre
National Family Week is October 3-7 and
Vancouver Family Place Day is October 9!
October 1, Saturday: 2-5 pm 40th Anniversary Family Dance Join us and celebrate our 40 year anniversary with a Family Dance. Information on our website and to purchase tickets on eventbrite, click here - BUY FAMILY DANCE TICKETS
October 7 & 14, Friday's: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Nobody's Perfect This parent support education group allows parents to get a better understanding of their children's development, meet other parents and share ideas. Ask Flora for more info and to sign up for the next session.
October 10, Monday:Thanksgiving Day The Family Centre will be CLOSED.
October 11 - November 25, Tuesday's 1-3 PM and Friday's 9:30 -11:30 AM:ABC Time On these days, we close off part of our playroom to run a small kindergarten readiness program. The drop-in is still open, but the play space is smaller! For more information about our ABC program, please speak with Ewa or Maria. A family centre membership is required in order to participate.
October 18, Tuesday: 5:30 - 8 pm Annual General Meeting All current members are welcome to join us for a potluck dinner provided by the existing Board Members) upstairs in the playroom. After dinner, the adults will go downstairs for the meeting and the children will stay upstairs to play with the childcare providers. Please register your attendance by calling the Family Centre 604-872-6757 and include your name, your child(ren)'s names and ages and your member number.
October 21 - December 9, Friday's: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Circle of Security is an early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. For more information or to sign up, please contact Ewa. A family centre membership is required in order to participate.
October 27, Thursday: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Speech Therapist Visit during AM Drop-In. She will give a short talk on normal language development and be able to answer questions.
October 31, Monday:Pumpkin Patch in the yard during morning and afternoon Drop-In. Come in costume and join in the fun! Please bring a loonie to cover the cost of pumpkins!
Literacy through Music Program
October 5, 12, 19 and 26, Wednesday's: 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm during afternoon Drop-In.
Participants do not need to register. Come sing, dance and play with Music Therapist, Melody Owen. Family participation is required.
We will be saying goodbye to Nina as of October 1, 2016. She was with us for a year and a half and supported and led several projects such as the Baby Drop-In Program, a
successful gardening workshop and our Canada Day Celebration. She cultivated many positive relationships with our Drop-In families. The staff at Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society would like to wish her well and best of luck on her future endeavours! She will be truly missed by all. Alma Tuliao will be returning to her position starting Monday, October 3, 2016.
Your Membership Counts!
Annual membership runs from May 1st to April 30th, and costs $45 per year. Membership fees are a much needed part of our annual revenue and help fund our Family Drop In program, parent education, workshops, special events and seasonal celebrations.
Membership is an integral part of community participation and an effective way to contribute to our sustainability. A Family Membership at the MPFCS is $45.00 per year or 86 cents per week.
If you did not have a membership last year, please go directly to our membership page. To renew your membership please go to CanadaHelps.org. When you visit the Family Centre, you can pay using cash, credit card, or cheque. Please speak to one of our Family Support Workers and they will help you.
Family Day Care Providers and Nannies are asked to request parents of the children in their care to purchase a MPFCS membership.
September 2016 Newsletter
September 1, 2016September at the Family Centre
September 1, Thursday: 1 - 3 PM Baby Drop-In Continues This drop-in is focused on babies under one year. Explore their needs and developmental stages and learn ways to support your baby through attachment and healthy growth. This drop-in requires no registration and will continue on Thursday afternoons.
September 5, Monday:Labour Day The Family Centre will be CLOSED.
September 6, Tuesday:Storytime with the VPL Librarian during morning Drop-In. Come meet our librarian and enjoy songs, rhymes, and stories.
September 7, Wednesday:Fire Drill During morning Drop-In, we will have a fire drill at 10:15 am. This can be a fun and/or interesting experience, but it will definitely be a different sort of day for everyone. We will use a hand-held bell (not our building's alarm bell) to alert the beginning of the drill.
September 8, Thursday:Grandparents' Day during the Drop-In. There will be special activities to honour grandparents. Grandparents' Day is September 11.
September 9 - October 14, Fridays: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Nobody's Perfect This parent support education group allows parents to get a better understanding of their children's development, meet other parents and share ideas. Participants must be current members of the Family Centre. Please ask Flora for more info and to sign up.
September 12 - 15, Monday - Thursday:Moon Festival Crafts during Drop-In. All week there will be special crafts in preparation for the Moon Festival (Thursday, September 15).
September 22, Thursday:Storytime with the VPL Librarian during Baby Drop-In. Come sing,rhyme and enjoy stories with the librarian.
September 24 - November 19, Saturdays: 10 - 11:30 AM 1-2-3 Jump! Physical Literacy for 2.5 - 3.5 yr olds. Have fun with your child moving and learning in new ways. Registration is required.The program is offered free in partnership with Little Mountain Neighbourhood House. We ask that you have a current Family Centre membership to participate. Please ask Flora for more info and to sign up.
September 26, Monday: 9:30-11:30 AM Dental Visit Screening during Drop-In for ages 1-3 years old who don't have regular dental check ups.
September 29, Thursday: 1 - 3 PM Dental Visit Workshop Info for babies during Baby Drop-In.
Literacy through Music Program
We are pleased to announce a new program this fall called Literacy Through Music Program. Melody Owen will be the facilitator and will offer the singing and music program for 10 sessions starting Monday, September 26 from 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm. The program will be part of our regular Drop In Program and the Circles of Caring Connections Program. Participants do not need to register.
Join us at our 40th Anniversary Family Dance!
Cost - $10 per adult and $5 per child, infants under 1 year old are free
Location - Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
145 E 10th Ave, Vancouver BC, V5T 1Z4
This is a perfect event for children ages 0-6. You can also help our refugee families attend this dance by sponsoring them. Your donation of $5 sponsors a child and $10 sponsors an adult. Or you can donate $30 to sponsor an entire family.
Board Recruitment
Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society is located at 2910 St. George Street in Vancouver (adjacent to Robson Park). We are seeking new Board Members and would welcome all enquiries. Please contact Gini Bonner, our Executive Director at 604-872-6757 to learn more about this rewarding opportunity.
Why Volunteer? Volunteering is a great way to gain hands-on experience in a variety of leadership roles while bettering your community. It provides an opportunity to work and interact with people from different walks of life, while providing valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership, and commitment to something above and beyond our daily existence.
I look forward to hearing from you! Gini
August picnic at Robson Park
Our annual picnic at Robson Park was a great success. On August 17th, MPFCS welcomed families from our Drop-In and Circles of Care and Connection Early Years Refugee Program. It was well attended as 53 MPFC family members with 92 children from our Family Drop-In Program and 19 families with 40 children, enrolled in the CCC Early Years Refugee Program attended the festivities. Everyone enjoyed playing the outdoors games, art making, face painting, the pinata and meeting other families. The highlight of the day was singing Happy Birthday to our long standing volunteer Janice. And the chocolate birthday cake was the favourite of everyone!
Our newly arrived Syrian families also expressed the following statements: "This was one of our best days since we arrived to Canada". "I was so happy to meet other families like mine. We ate lunch together and our children played together. Thank you for this". "My favourite part was meeting my new friends"! Thank you to the kind support of the following local stores: Buy Low Foods, Nesters Market, Safeway, Save On Foods and Superstore. As a result of their contributions, we were able to provide lunch for the refugee families.
Are you handy or know someone who is?
We are currently looking for a volunteer who is handy that can help out with fixing little things at the Mount Pleasant Family Centre. If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact Theresa, Program Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 604-872-6757.
Looking ahead to October and November...
October 11 - November 25, Tuesday's 1-3 PM and Friday's 9:30-11:30 AM:ABC Time On these days, we close off part of our playroom to run a small kindergarten readiness program. The drop-in is still open, but the play space is smaller! For more information about our ABC program, please speak with Ewa or Maria.
October 21 - December 9, Fridays: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Circles of Security The Circle of Security is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Eva will co-facilitate the course which runs Friday mornings. Participants must be current members of the Family Centre. Please speak with Ewa for more information.
