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Family Resource Centre celebrates ten years in CBS

By Mark Squibb/February 10, 2023

The Conception Bay Family Resource Centre (FRC) celebrated 10 years in CBS this past December with a community tree lighting and an in-house awards presentation.

Longstanding board member Mary Walsh has been with the program since day one.

Walsh said about 14 years back, council held public consultations to determine what residents in CBS needed. Suggestions ran the gambit from public transportation and affordable housing to, in Walsh’s case, accessible childcare spaces.

“I wanted an area where parents could bring their child, and have a place to play, and to learn through play,” said Walsh. “Terry French was in the government at that time, and they said they were putting three more Family Resource Centres in the province. So, we said, ‘Okay, we need one in CBS.’”

The Centre opened it’s doors in 2012.

“Now we offer 25 programs every month, we serve 195 to 200 families every month, and just in the last three months, we’ve had 77 new families attended who have never been to the Family Resource Centre,” said Walsh.

The Centre offers programs and supports for families of young children, beginning even before birth, with some programs aimed at pregnant mothers.

The programs, which are free to the public, are largely government dependent.

“We’re still going back and forth to the government, and sometimes the government doesn’t listen to us,” said Walsh. “But I think we’re doing really good here.”

Walsh was presented with a large inukshuk for her years of service.

“More than a decade ago, Mary Walsh and a few others in our community saw a need for a Family Resource Centre, where families could come in to a safe, non-judgemental environment and learn, play, laugh and grow,” said Executive Director Jamie Ryan “And, like the mighty inukshuk, which stands tall and steadfast to lead it’s people to a better place, after 10 years, Mary Walsh still sits on our board of directors to guide our flock with love, knowledge, and great leadership.”

Ryan said that executive board members are presented with miniature inuksuk’s upon retiring and when Mary joked that she might retire just to get one, it was decided to take action.

“So, we got her a stone 10 times bigger so she would stay 10 more years,” said Ryan.

Program Administrator Carol Ann Cantwell was presented with an award for 10 years of service.

“Some would call her the heart of the centre, while others would tell you that we couldn’t function without her,” said Ryan.

“This has been the best 10 years of my working career,” said Cantwell. “There is no place like this. It gives so much to families, and there’s been such good staff come through here, the best of the best. I love coming to work everyday — it’s never a job, it’s always just something nice to do.”

A final award was presented to Program Coordinator Patricia Care.

“Patricia puts her all into everything she does and travels daily, from the bottom of St. John’s to the depths of Kelligrews to ensure that our families receive top notch quality programing, day in and day out,” said Ryan. “Our program development and our success have a lot to do with her hard work and dedication.

Care has worked with the Centre for the last eight years.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love this job, and I truly do love this job, and love the families,” said Care.

Outside CBS, the Centre offers programing in Holyrood, Avondale and Brigus.

The short ceremony which was attended by council representatives from CBS and neighbouring communities, was capped off with a tree lighting and sing-along with many of the children and families who avail of programming offered by the FRC.

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