Kilbride to Ferryland Resource Centre Coalition

By: Rhonda Thomas

The Kilbride to Ferryland Family Resource Centre Coalition was formed in the fall of 1998 in an effort to advocate the development of Family Resource Centres in the area. Members of the coalition include parents, school principals and staff, parish councils, a city council member, the Knights of Columbus, early childhood educators, community groups, public health nurses and others. This coalition represents a number of communities from Kilbride to Ferryland including Kilbride, Goulds, Petty Harbour/Maddox Cove, Bay Bulls, Mobile, Tors Cove, Witless Bay, Cape Broyle/Brigus South, and Calvert. The Ferryland area includes Renews, Cappahayden, Fermuse, Port Kirwan, and Aquaforte.

In the spring of 1999 the Kilbride to Ferryland Family Resource Centre Coalition was successful in securing funding under the National Child Benefit Provincial Reinvestment Plan to implement family resource programming in the area. Family resource programming is designed to promote self- help and mutual aid; to enhance parent child relationships; and to promote healthy prenatal and child development.

Family Resource Centres come in many shapes and sizes across Canada. The key is to establish a Centre which meets the particular needs of the community. Family Resource Centres can offer a wide range of programs and services including: drop-in-play, toy-lending library, parent support groups, and workshops for parents.

Programs focus on meeting the needs of families with young children. The community and in particular families with young children must be involved in the process. The Coalition is just as concerned with how it works with families as with the specific programs it delivers.

Currently there are Centres established in the Goulds, in Fermeuse and in Kilbride. The first year has proven to be very busy. The organization began offering family resource programs in February 2000 and has been growing steadily since. The most recent accomplishment is the addition of a Healthy Baby Club (a prenatal support program for women living with limited resources) in the Kilbride area. To date programs and services have been provided to over 200 families (including 260 children) living in the area.

The Rabbittown Learners Program celebrated International Literacy Day on September 8, 2000 with an open house and the launching of their promotional CD entitled "Rabbittown Learners Program Success Stories". This CD highlights the success stories of a number of adults who are successfully combating illiteracy and working toward achieving their goals.

Funding for this CD was provided by the National Literacy Secretariat, Human Resources Development Canada. Special guests who helped to celebrate the day included Ms. Luanne Leamon, Assistant Deputy Minister of Education (Literacy Strategic Unit) and the Honorable Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Finance, who presented a monetary donation of $26,000 to the program on behalf of the Department of Education.