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COVID-19 Self assessment tool

March 18, 2020

Government of BC has created a COVID-19 self assessment tool. Click on the link to determine if you need further assessment or testing- http://covid19.thrive.health/

Crisis Centre of BC

March 18, 2020

The Crisis Centre of BC is available to help 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Please feel free to call Vancouver Crisis Line: 604-872-3311 if you or your family member are in crisis during this challenging time.

Please check their website for more information crisiscentre.bc.ca

In the light of the spread of the Covid-19, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of everyone at the Family Centre. As safety is always our highest priority we wish to inform that All our programs at the Family Centre, Circle of Care and Connection and Dads’ Drop-In will be closed as of now. We will however, continue to monitor the situation closely by following the latest guidance from the health authorities on the daily basis to let families know about the resumption of our programs. I would thank you all for your continued support at these challenging times.

In this time of uncertainty, we all need to do our best to Flatten the Curve:

COVID 19

WHAT TO DO:

Wash your hands >20 seconds with soap and warm water.
Avoid crowds.
Cancel all non-essential travel anywhere.
If you can work from home, do so!
Get a flu buddy (aka ‘pandemic pal’) and make back-up plans for care of children, pets, and those in need of special assistance
Look beyond yourself. At all times, be kind to each other and be mindful of other people’s worries.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

Do not touch your face.
Do not attend non-essential public gatherings.
Do not hoard masks, or essential supplies beyond your family's need.
Do not shake hands; get creative with zero-contact greetings.
Do not go to work if you are in any way sick.
Do not go to the doctor without calling ahead.

To get the most up-to-date information, go to https://www.canada.ca/public-health

Be safe out there!
Regards
MPFCS Staff and Board

March Newsletter

February 26, 2020

2910 St. George Street
Vancouver, BC V5T 4L9
604-872-6757
www.mpfamilycentre.ca

MARCH NEWSLETTER

Executive Director's Spring Report

Dear Members

What a beautiful week of sunshine we are having! It certainly warms my heart and toes to think that the rain and snow are behind us! Looking forward the Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society Board and staff are gearing up for our annual fundraiser Savour Our Neighbourhood at the Heritage Hall on March 5^th. This year we are highlighting the valuable work we do supporting families to connect with others and create a nurturing and mutually supportive community! While we recognize that not all of our members will be able to attend this event we want to give you an opportunity to help with our fundraising and will have a number of silent auction items at the Drop in for you to bid on. All funds raised are dedicated to our program costs and ensure that our services remain status quo.
For more information and to purchase your tickets please visit the Savour Our Neighbourhood 2020 website at https://savourourneighbourhood.ca/
We believe that our programs are strength based and family centred and that our staff teams in both the early years refugee program and the family drop in demonstrate authentic care and concern for every family that we serve and we look forward to your ongoing participation!

With kind regards,
Gini Bonner
Executive Director, MPFCS

Savour Our Neighbourhood: Thursday March 5^th, 5:30 to 9:30 PM, please join us for our fabulous fundraiser event and enjoy the fun evening. Tickets include:

Dinner by Savoury City Catering, The Georgia Strait's Best of Vancouver's 2019 #1 caterer
Variety show hosted by Jo Dworschak
Amazing silent auction and raffles with prizes such as a weekend at Tinhorn Creek Winery, a handmade guitar by Lowden Guitars and many gift certificates from local restaurants and attractions. Check out https://savourourneighbourhood.ca/ for more details on our silent auction.

Get your tickets at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/savour-our-neighbourhood-2020-tickets-83916609839

Featured volunteer of the Month: Janice Bavis

Janice was born with Down Syndrome and fortunate to be educated at her neighbourhood school and integrated into the community.
After finishing her school years at Gladstone High School she spent several years in a sheltered workshop. Although she had many friends at the workshop she was determined not to spend her days working on an assembly line.
Janice was given the opportunity to volunteer at Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society on Wednesday afternoons and at Westside Family Place on Tuesday mornings.

Now, 30 years later, her Wednesday afternoon volunteer time at MPFCS is the highlight of her week. She loves to see the kids, meet the parents and work with the staff with whom she has made lasting friendships. Her favourite time is the music program and singing along with the children.
Her other favourite day of her week is Sunday when she attends Joy Fellowship where she has been a member of the Sign Language Choir as well as enjoying the services, camps and outreach programs.
Janice is still living at home and her family is grateful to MPFCS for their acceptance and enrichment of Janice life.

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Family Drop-In

March 5 and 6, Thursday and Friday- Savour Our Neighbourhood event, The Family Centre is closed

March 11, Wednesday: 10:30 AM Fire Drill during morning Drop-In. 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 27- May 15, Fridays: 9:30 - 11:30 AM Making Sense of Preschoolers Gordon Neufeld provides insight into their shyness, separation anxieties, aggression, resistance, and more. Childcare is provided in the playroom. Cost is $70 for the 7 week course. We ask that you have a current Family Centre membership to participate. For more information, please contact Flora at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

April 10, Friday: Good Friday, The Family Centre is closed today
April 11, Saturday: Long weekend, Dads' Drop-In program is closed today

April 28 – June 12, Tuesday PM- Friday AM: ABC Time, we close off part of our playroom to run a small kindergarten readiness program. The drop-in is still open, but the playspace is smaller! For more information about our ABC program, please contact Maria at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ewa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

May 16, Saturday: Long weekend, Dads' Drop-In program is closed today
May 18, Monday: Victoria Day, The Family Centre is closed today

Please check our event calendar in our website regarding the visit from Community Health Nurses, Librarian and Certified Dental Assistant

Circles of Care and Connection Program
ISSofBC Welcome Centre
3^rd Floor Playroom
2610 Victoria Drive

Family Drop-In Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Tuesdays & Wednesday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Programming:
Sound, Movement and Play - Tuesdays, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
Fun folk song approach developed by the Living Language Institute that engages children and their parents/caregivers in singing, movement and social play. It’s an easy, fun program for parents with young children.

Check out our website calendar for community visits from the Vancouver Public Librarian, Certified Dental Assistant and Public Health Nurse.

On February 12, Circles of Care and Connection Program had a visit with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marco Mendicino. He had a lovely time in our playroom, talked with our families and the children even showed off their artwork.

Savour Our Neighbourhood 2020

January 22, 2020

2020 Savour Our Neighbourhood
For more event information please check Savour Our Neighbourhood website,
https://savourourneighbourhood.ca

SON 2020 final

December Newsletter

January 14, 2020

2910 St. George Street
Vancouver, BC V5T 4L9
604-872-6757
www.mpfamilycentre.ca

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Executive Director's Winter Report

Dear Members
I can hardly believe that December has arrived and we are half way through the school year! Since September and my last report the Early Years Refugee Program and the Family Drop in staff have been pretty busy organizing and facilitating not just the day to day programs but also organizing special events including our 43rd Annual General meeting/potluck and the 10^th Anniversary celebration of the Circles of Care & Connection Program.
Highlights from the AGM include a fabulous multicultural dinner, guest speaker, Chris Frieson, Director of Immigrant Services, ISS Welcome Centre and special guests, Jenny Kwan MP and Lisa Dominato, City of Vancouver Councillor. Everyone in attendance enjoyed an inspiring good bye speech from our outgoing Board Chair, Anthony Fast and we were all reminded of how important it is these days to keep our spirits up and to contribute in whatever way we can to healing our world!
These are very challenging times for all families and I want to reaffirm that the Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society staff is here for you and that we all look forward to yet another eventful year full of goodness, peace and joy!

With kind regards,
Gini Bonner
Executive Director, MPFCS

Please see the pictures below of our 43rd AGM and 10th Anniversary celebration of Circles of Care and Connection Program

Featured staff of the Month: Ewa Paciorek

I was a newcomer to Canada when I joined the Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society over 25 years ago. Initially, I was a volunteer; however, the centre’s inclusive and welcoming environment quickly stole my heart. The rest is history. What has kept me here for so many years are the values of the centre, which greatly resonate with mine. I cherish the children that come to visit, love watching them grow up, and enjoy creating a collaborative learning experience for our members. Running ABC Time and facilitating the Circle of Security parenting program has brought me great joy for these reasons.

Please join us for our annual Christmas Party at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House on Thursday Dec 5th from 10 AM to 1 PM.

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Family Drop-In

December 5th, Thursday: 10 AM - 1 PM Please join us for our Winter Celebration Party at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House (800 East Broadway). Activities include a walk through winter wonderland, crafts, cookie decorating, face painting and music. Feel free to bring a seasonal treat (finger food only please). The Family Centre (Drop-In Program) will be closed and no programs will be offered on this day.

The last day for Family Drop-In is Thursday Dec. 19th before the Winter holidays. Program will reopen on January 6, 2020 with regular program hours.

The Baby Drop-In Program will be open Thursday Dec. 19th for the last session before the holidays. Program will reopen on January 9, 2020.

The Dads’ Drop-In Program will be open Saturday Dec. 14th for the last session before the holidays. Program will reopen on January 11, 2020.

Jan 2020, 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. Participants must be current members of the Family Centre. Please speak with Flora for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Jan 28 – Mar 20, 2020, Tuesdays PM- School Readiness Program/ ABC Time is a free program available to children 4-5 years old and their parents. This program prepares young children entering the school system to improve their language, reading, and social skills. The first day of kindergarten can be stressful for both children and parents, so that the School Readiness program gives families proper tools for creating enriching and supportive learning environments for young children. This program is delivered by well experienced facilitators and guest speakers with very beneficial and informative topics such as: separation anxiety, sleep routine, bullying, family literacy, and social and emotional development.
For more information about our School Readiness /ABC program, please speak with Maria or Ewa. A family centre membership is required in order to participate.

Feb 17, Monday: Family Day Holiday The Family Centre is closed today.

Please check our event calendar in our website regarding the visit from Community Health Nurses, Librarian and Certified Dental Assistant.

Circles of Care and Connection Program
ISSofBC Welcome Centre
3^rd Floor Playroom
2610 Victoria Drive

Family Drop-In Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Tuesdays & Wednesday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Programming:
Sound, Movement and Play - Tuesdays, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
Fun folk song approach developed by the Living Language Institute that engages children and their parents/caregivers in singing, movement and social play. It’s an easy, fun program for parents with young children.

Check out our website calendar for community visits from the Vancouver Public Librarian, Certified Dental Assistant and Public Health Nurse.

On November 29th, our Child and Family Settlement Workers assisted the CCC families at the Salvation Army Toy Shop. Parents were able to pick out each of their child’s gifts, which gave them a sense of dignity in a supported and respectful environment. “It was really nice to be able to choose the toys for my

children and surprise them on Christmas day. I would not have been able to buy gifts for them on my own," said one of our families. Another family said, "Our holiday season was made better because of this program. Thank you”. We typically refer over 50 families each year to the Salvation Army Toy Shop program.

Join us for our holiday party!

December 3, 2019

Christmas party flyer 2019 1

New Videos - Talk With Me, Play With Me, Comfort Me

November 5, 2019

Here at the family centre, we focus on connection. The videos in this public awareness campaign, created by the talented folks at the Langley Infant Mental Health Collboarative, are great examples of how parents need to drop their phones and take a digital diet from all forms of technology when the kids are around in an effort to positively impact kids' mental health.

We hope you enjoy these videos.

Click here to view the video focused on preschool aged children.

Click here to view the video focused on babies.

Credit: Langley Infant Mental Health Collaborative

Blog

COVID-19 Self assessment tool

Crisis Centre of BC

COVID- 19

March Newsletter

Savour Our Neighbourhood 2020

December Newsletter

Join us for our holiday party!

New Videos - Talk With Me, Play With Me, Comfort Me

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