Family Centre Newsletter - Spring 2022

MANAGER'S REFLECTIONS

I am deeply contemplating the direction in which I want to stir my work as winter is receding and spring is bringing forth new life around us. There are two important aspects to my work, working with ideas and engaging in relationship/partnership building. Neither of these two aspects totally belong to me. My ideas are influenced by the teachings of elders and my relationship building efforts are governed by many protocols rooted in distinct worldviews. The ideas and protocols echo through the universe. And I am open to receive them in whichever form they come to me.

I want to make sincere efforts to build relationships in a way that respects the work undertaken and accomplished by community members. I need to enter the space of engagement and relationship building with humility and mindful presence. This requires me to examine my biases, to slow down, and to gain deeper awareness of my way of functioning in relation to the community members, their aspirations and lived experiences, and their nuanced context. This requires me to know and establish the protocols of asking for permission as I enter new spaces of conversation, communication, exchanges, and decision making. This is about owning my responsibility and role in ensuring that our community relationships are not merely transactional, rather they are transformative.

Also, I want to honour the principle of reciprocity with an understanding that I should take what I need (not want) and give back what I can (not should). It is this principle of reciprocity that has the power to unite us rather than divide us. I am awaiting for this reciprocal relationship building to unfold.

Santiago

BRIDGES TO BELONGING

BE-Friends

BE-Friends is a volunteer matching program that connects people with any disability 17 years or older (Friend) with a community volunteer "Buddy" (19 years or older). The pair gets together as often as they want, enjoy fun activities they choose and become part of each other's world. BE-Friends is a bridge to meaningful reciprocal relationships and lifelong friendships.

People are being matched and friendships are blooming. We invite you to become part of this friendship adventure!

If you are 17 years old or older, living with a disability, and want someone to spend time and build a lasting friendship with, we invite you to Click Here and fill out an application to be matched with a Buddy Community Volunteer.

If you are 19 years old or older and want to create an authentic friendship as a Volunteer Buddy to a person with a disability and be part of their journey to living their best life, we invite you to Click Here.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation. We are grateful that they are partnering with our entire community to ensure that friendships are free.

LINKS

LINKS is an opportunity for youth with disabilities along with a planning partner of their choice to participate in four interactive small group workshops designed to discover and align their gifts, strengths, social connections, and community resources with their goals to create a personal plan and pathways to create the life they want.

A past participant said, “It was nice to hear the things my Planning Partner loved about me because those are things you don’t hear every day.”

After the personal reflection phase of identifying, gifts, strengths, special interests, and passions, the group moves to the next stage of mapping their social connections (paid or unpaid) based on the quality of the relationships. The map is used to identify individuals the youth could access as a resource to learn a new skill, find employment or volunteer opportunities, participate in recreation or leisure activities, or be part of a future network of support. The final phase of the process involves envisioning their next life stage and setting short-term goals related to post-secondary education or skills training, employment/volunteering, health, and wellness, living independent of their family home, enlarging their circle of friends, or engaging in a recreational or leisure activity.

A LINKS alumni said “I really enjoyed the vision board because I found it interesting to choose what I want to do in the future” and a Planning Partner noted: “ I really liked how [The Storyboard of My Life Sheet] is all giving my daughter all the building blocks. It is teasing out all the pieces for her so it’s not just all jumbled.”

If you or your loved one is looking for a unique way to figure out the next steps to take to create a life of meaning, contribution, connection, and belonging as a valued member of the community, while meeting new people and possibly new friends, then we invite you to consider participating in one of the upcoming LINKS workshops.

BE-Connected

Are you looking for a place to hang out and meet a great group of people who will always welcome you and celebrate who you are? Come join us on Wednesday nights here: from 7-8 P. M. at BE-Connected, a community where EVERYONE is welcome and belongs. Please email communityrelations@bridgestobelonging.ca for the Zoom information.

The following is the Zoom information through May 18, 2022.

Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81897785039?pwd=bkpEZklwdHZZOVl5WHJVV1FobXpwUT09

Meeting ID: 818 9778 5039

Passcode: 012889

Future Planning

We invite you to join with other families and carers in Waterloo Region on May 12, 2022, from 6:30-8:30 P. M. to learn about the important considerations and legal aspects of Advanced Care Planning.

Dr. Sandy Shamon is a primary care physician, palliative care specialist, and sibling to her sister living with a disability. As a physician, Dr. Shamon will provide insights and perspectives through both a personal and professional lens related to the Health Care Consent, Advanced Care Planning considerations and Advance Directives, Goals of Care Discussions, Substitute Decision Makers.

David Amy is a Partner of Amy Appleby and Brennan Law Firm in Waterloo specializing in Wills, Estates, Trusts, and Henson Trust. David will provide legal expertise regarding, Capacity, Power of Attorney - Personal Care and Guardian and Trusteeship.

Paul Arsenault CFP®, PFP® will also be on hand to answer any financial questions that may be related to advanced care planning.

For more information contact:

Carmen Sutherland
Bridges to Belonging | Community Relations
519-500-7153 | communityrelations@bridgestobelonging.ca
Embracing Possibility ~ Enriching Community

CANADIAN ARAB WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION (CAWA)

It’s spring! The longer days are something we have all been waiting for! At the Canadian Arab Women’s Association (CAWA), the last few months have been busy and exciting.

On March 25^th, CAWA opened a Guelph-based office at 42 Carden Street, Guelph, to serve Arab women and their families in Guelph better. With two offices and a growing team, CAWA is looking back at a wonderful start of 2022!

CAWA also has a brand-new website! Please check out www.cawakw.ca, and stay up-to-date about our ever-evolving programs and events.

You can also follow us on all the major social media platforms, even TikTok! For most social media, CAWA uses the cawa_kw handle.

Our WorkPro program is recruiting participants for the virtual, Arab-language program starting at the end of April. The WorkPro program prepares Arab women to enter the job market, by introducing them to Canadian work culture, helping them to create a resume that stands out and teaching them crucial skills, that will help them secure employment.

All Arab women, regardless of immigration status or English level can join the program. The only fixed requirement is that they need to live in either Waterloo Region or Guelph. For more information on the WorkPro program and registration, please check our website, or email: cawa.workpro@gmail.com

If there are any general inquiries, please do not hesitate to connect with CAWA by sending an email to info@cawakw.ca . We love to hear from our community partners!

COALITION OF MUSLIM WOMEN OF KW

Knowing the reality and challenges of unemployment for the Muslim sisters, Coalition of Muslim Women of KW brings Career Coaching Circles for Newcomers!
An opportunity for those Racialized Muslim Women who are newcomers to Canada and are struggling to get into the job market.

This 7-week virtual workshop series is for the Muslim sisters who are:

Newcomers to Canada
Are highly qualified in their country of origin or from Canada (University/Professional Degree)
Are currently looking for jobs
Want to achieve a speciﬁc personal or business goal
Have English level/band 6- 7 (fluent in English)
Must reside in KW Region

This workshop will help you in building your skills, strengths, abilities, network, communication, confidence, knowledge, personal self discovery, building resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, and knowing what recruiters look for.

Starting every Wednesday 10 am – 12 pm from March 30- May 11 (March 30, April 6,13, 20 & 27, May 4 & 11)
If you are interested in attending please fill the questionnaire on this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SMCHMXR
For more information contact Uzma Bhutto at Uzma.Bhutto@cmw-kw.org or call 226-499-2269 extension 4004.

FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES OF WATERLOO FOUNDATION

Have you ever travelled and come home with a bunch of coins that you can’t exchange? You can’t use it here in Canada, so you end up with euros or rupees or pesos or yen floating around your kitchen drawer forever! We know we are not alone in this…

It is estimated that over $2 Billion in foreign currency is currently stored or saved in Canadian homes and businesses. Of that, an estimated $840 million is in Ontario!

This currency has no use or real value in Canada but that loose change can certainly Make Something Good Happen in our community!

Our colleagues at Durham Children’s Aid Foundation developed a program called Currency for Kids that collects donations of global currencies which, when converted, become dollars to support their initiatives in their community! The program is expanding across the province specifically to support Children’s Aid Society Foundations.

Starting March 21, 2022, FACS Foundation started collecting coins here at the Family Centre Reception. It’s easy to support this initiative and to make those loose coins do some good in our community.

A coin drive is a fun way to engage family & neighbors, service clubs, church groups, or work peers.

We are being supported by Global Coin Solutions who will process the coins and return the money to us in Canadian dollars. There are many charities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand that are already following a similar model.

We are really excited to start this program – stay tuned for more details! Funds raised through the Currency for Kids program will support the annual strategic funding priorities of the Foundation.

Make sure to follow us on social and to share with friends and family, especially as people start to travel again.

For more information click here!

#AllCurrencyAccepted #CurrencyforKids

RESILIENCE PROJECT - SPRING GROUPS

Make the Connection 1 (In Person)

Caregivers and their Children
(Birth-12 months of age)

This interactive program combines parent-baby activities, parent discussion and personalized video feedback. Find out ways to help your baby feel close to you and discover her/his world.

In partnership with Our Place Family Resource & Early Years Centre

Where: 700 Heritage Dr., Kitchener (Anselma House)
Day: Thursdays
Time: 10:00-11:30 AM
Dates: April 28-June 16

Facilitators: Gavin Sharma and Our Place Facilitator Click here to Refer

***Co-delivered with Our Place Family Resource & Early Years Centre. FACS staff to obtain verbal consent for the sharing of client contact information with Our Place, prior to submitting a referral.

Make the Connection 2(Virtual)

Caregivers and their Children
(12-24 months of age)

This interactive 8-week program includes parent-toddler activities, parent discussion and personalized video feedback. Learn about helping your toddler to feel secure, helping your toddler connect with other children, setting limits with love and more!

In partnership with Our Place Family Resource & Early Years Centre

Where: Virtual
Day: Mondays
Time: 1:00-2:30
Dates: April 25-June 20

Facilitators: Tammy Hall-Stoll & Our Place Facilitator Click here to Refer

***Co-delivered with Our Place Family Resource & Early Years Centre. FACS staff to obtain verbal consent for the sharing of client contact information with Our Place, prior to submitting a referral.

Trusting Loving Connections (Virtual)

Caregivers only during the pandemic (Caregivers of children 0-12 years of age)

A 10-week group for caregivers identifying as a woman parenting children between birth and 12. The program seeks to offer support to caregivers to gain a better understanding of how their own childhood experiences and attachment relationships affect their parenting and their relationships with their children.

During Covid, we will not be able to incorporate the parent/child interaction component where the Circle of Security concepts are explored. In partnership with Women’s Crisis Services of the Waterloo Region

Where: Virtual
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 10:00-11:30
Dates: April 20-June 22

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman & Angela Saldanha (WCSWR) Click here to Refer

***Co-delivered with Women’s Crisis Services of the Waterloo Region. FACS staff to obtain verbal consent for the sharing of client contact information with WCSWR, prior to submitting the referral.

Kids Have Stress Too (Virtual)

For Parents of Preschool/Kindergarten age children

A 5-week comprehensive introduction to key aspects of early childhood and brain development, as well as the crucial role caregivers and educators play in helping children learn effective stress-management strategies. In partnership with Our Place Family Resource & Early Years Centre.

Where: Virtual
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 1:30-2:30 PM
Dates: May 11-June 8

Facilitators: Sonia Koprivnikar & Our Place Facilitator Click here to Refer

***Co-delivered by Early Years Centre. FACS staff to obtain verbal consent for the sharing of client contact information with Our Place, prior to submitting the referral.

Circle of Security (Virtual)

Caregivers of children ages 0-12

An 8-week program to support caregivers to see their child’s behaviour through an attachment lens. The program supports caregivers in understanding their child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs. The caregivers learn ways to help their child manage emotions, develop better self-esteem and enhance their attachment.

Where: Virtual
Day: Mondays
Time: 1:30-3:00 PM
Dates: April 25-June 20

Facilitators: Sonia Koprivnikar and Gavin Sharma Click here to Refer

Circle of Security (In Person)

Caregivers of children ages 0-12

Where: 116 Rouse Ave., Cambridge (Greenway Chaplin CC)
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 10:00-11:30 AM
Dates: April 26-June 14

Facilitators: Sonia Koprivnikar and Ahren Steinman Click here to Refer

Mindful Kids (In Person)

Kids 8-10 years old

A 7-week hangout for kids to talk about and learn more about Mindfulness through a variety of activities and exercises. In partnership with Greenway Chaplin

Where: 116 Rouse Ave., Cambridge (Greenway Chaplin CC)
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Dates: April 26-June 7

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman & Jessica Borges Click here to Refer

***Co-delivered with Greenway Chaplin Community Centre. FACS staff to obtain verbal consent for the sharing of client contact information with GC, prior to submitting the referral.

Inspire(In Person)

Children/Youth 9-11 years of age

Inspire is a free, after-school group for youth in Grades 4-6.

Join us for fun and games, where they will discuss topics including bullying, family changes, building empathy within the world around us to support a healthy future and much more. In partnership with Women’s Crisis Services.

Where: 10 Chopin Dr., Kitchener (Victoria Hills Community Centre)
Day: Thursday
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
Dates: April 21-June 9

Facilitators: Gavin Sharma & Angela Stahlbaum (WCSWR) Click here to Refer

Connect Group (In Person)

Caregivers parenting youth between the ages of 13-17 years of age

A 10-week program for caregivers parenting youth between 13-17. The group seeks to promote sensitive and effective parenting. It focuses on their teen’s attachment needs and emotional state and explores different ways for parents to respond with sensitivity and attuned responses, while still maintaining clarity of limits and expectations.

Where: 65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener (The Family Centre)
Day: Thursday
Time: 1:30-3:00 PM
Dates: April 21-June 23

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman & Sonia Koprivnikar Click here to Refer

RESILIENCE PROJECT LIVE PROGRAMMING

For more information or to register please email: resilienceproject@facswaterloo.org

For more information or to register please send an email to: resilienceproject@facswaterloo.org

WATERLOO REGION FAMILY NETWORK (WRFN)

Waterloo Region Family Network is so enthused to invite you to our annual signature fundraising event, Evening of Elegance, once again! Join us for a special evening of dining and socializing at an all-new location for our event, St George Banquet Hall.

Evening of Elegance will take place on April 30, 2022. Doors will open to guests at 6 pm, with dinner being served at 6:30 pm.

We are so excited to have the opportunity to meet with you in person. Public safety and the health of our guests is our number one priority. Therefore, we will closely be following Covid-19 safety measures like mask wearing & hand sanitization. We ask that you respect the space of those around you. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Buy Tickets Here

If you are unable to join us at our event, but would still like to lend your support, we are accepting donations as well. We’ll also be hosting a raffle during the two weeks leading up to Evening of Elegance in April. Raffle tickets will be available to the public & will be on sale soon. Be sure to follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on our raffle.

Staff update

WRFN has grown! In the summer, Erin Sutherland returned from her maternity leave, giving us the opportunity to grow our Family Resource Coach services by keeping Sue Furey on part-time. Erin and Sue are now an FRC team, and each specializes in specific age groups. Erin supports families with children up to 16 years old, while Sue supports those with a child 16 and over and self-advocates.

We’ve also had the opportunity to grow by adding two new roles to the team to help us achieve our Strategic Plan action items. First, we’ve hired Rachel Cave to take on a Communications & Marketing Coordinator role. Rachel comes to us with two years’ experience in communications and marketing in Tourism Marketing and has a variety of experiences working with children with exceptionalities.

Second, Susan Stark has been hired for a Development Manager Role. Susan will be leading our fundraising efforts moving forward. She has over 21 years’ experience raising funds for various organizations. Susan and Rachel have been working together to increase awareness in our community about WRFN and raise funds to support our services so we can continue to grow and serve families in our community.

Sign up for our newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates from WRFN right to your inbox! We share monthly newsletters with updates on all our upcoming programs, events, and services. We also share updates on behalf of third parties. Our newsletter is a great one-stop resource for all the upcoming family support related programs, events, support groups, and more.

Programming

All our programming continues to be available virtually for the time being. We’ve also been available through phone calls and email. WRFN’s services and programs continue to be personalized for each family to suit their unique needs.

Links to our social media pages

Get all the latest from WRFN as it’s happening. Connect with us by following our social media accounts and help spread the word about WRFN by liking and sharing our posts.