Resilience Project - Winter Groups

Please see the information below for some of our upcoming Winter groups. There are both VIRTUAL and IN PERSON groups for children, youth, and adults, with the intent to help ensure safety for all.

Referral Process:
If you have a family that would benefit from one of the programs listed, simply select the link for the group location that works for your family and fill out the required info.

The group facilitator will be in contact with you if we are able to offer a space to your family and will at that time also work out details with the family regarding transportation needs including submitting drive requests, if necessary.

If you have any questions about the referral process or how a particular group can support your family, please call or email any of the Group Facilitators or myself Liz.Hedley@facswaterloo.org

INSPIRE (In Person) NEW!

Children/Youth 9-11 years of age

Inspire is a free, after-school group for youth in Grades 6-8.

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: January 20-March 10

Facilitators: Tammy Hall-Stoll & Angela Stahlbaum (WCSWR) Click here to Refer

  • Where: 10 Acorn Way, Cambridge (Haven House)
  • Day: Thursday - Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
  • Dates: January 20-March 10

Facilitators: Tammy Hall-Stoll & Angela Stahlbaum (WCSWR) - Click here to Refer

TRUSTING LOVING CONNECTIONS(Virtual)

Caregivers of children - 12 years of age - Caregivers only during the pandemic

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 AM
  • Dates: January 26-April 6

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman, Adriana Martinez & Honora Harvey(WCSWR) - Click here to Refer

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

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 (Family Centre)
  • Day: Thursday - Time: 1:30-3:00 PM
  • Dates: January 27-April 7

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman & Sonia Koprivnikar - Click here to Refer

TRUSTING LOVING CONNECTIONS(Virtual)

Caregivers of children - 12 years of age - Caregivers only during the pandemic

A 10-week group for caregivers 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.

  • Where: Virtual
  • Day: Thursdays - Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
  • Dates: January 27-April 7

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman & Gavin Sharma - 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.

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: Mondays - Time: 4:00-5:00 PM
  • Dates: January 31-March 28

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman & Greenway CC facilitator - 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.

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: Tuesday - Time: 1:00-2:30 PM
  • Dates: February 1-March 8

Facilitators: Sonia Koprivnikar and Gavin Sharma - Click here to Refer

KIDS HAVE STRESS TOO (Virtual) Tuesdays

For Parents of Preschool/Kindergarten age children

A 6-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: Tuesdays - Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
  • Dates: February 1-March 8

Facilitators: Sonia Koprivnikar & Shawna Vander Velden - Click here to Refer

MAKE THE CONNECTION (Virtual)

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: Virtual
  • Day: Wednesdays - Time: 10:00-11:30 AM
  • Dates: February 2-March 23

Facilitators: Tammy Hall-Stoll & Ashlie Martin(Our Place) - 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.

KIDS HAVE STRESS TOO (Virtual) Wednesdays

For Parents of Preschool/Kindergarten age children

A 6-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: 1:00-2:00 PM
  • Dates: February 2-March 9

Facilitators: Sonia Koprivnikar & Ashlie Martin - Click here to Refer

UNLOCKING DOORS (In Person) NEW!

Ages 14-19

We are excited to offer a new program for YOUTH! Unlocking Doors is an opportunity to experience different mediums, as a way of self expression and connection to the world. We will explore ways to learn about ourselves and how to celebrate our journey. It will give youth the key to try different methods of sharing pieces of their story through voice, theatre, music, art, written work, photography and so much more.

A home cooked dinner will be provided as well.

  • Where: 65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener (Family Centre)
  • Day: Mondays - Time: 4:30-6:00 PM
  • Dates: February 7-March 7

Facilitators: Tammy Hall-Stoll & Michelle Kestle - Click here to Refer

PARENTING IN A PANDEMIC (Virtual) NEW!

For Parents and Caregivers

The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to be a challenging time to be a parent, a partner, a human. Is it still a time of increased stress and reduced connection. This virtual peer support program group focuses on the emerging needs and challenges around parenting, self-care, and self -regulation during the pandemic, the group will offer connection, support and resources through conversation and weekly zoom sessions.

In partnership with Greenway Chaplin

  • Where: Virtual
  • Day: Tuesdays Time: 1:30-2:30 PM
  • Dates: TBD

Facilitators: Ahren Steinman & Shawna Vander Velden - 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.