On Thursday, Sept. 27, there will be an information session at the SASCU Downtown Activity Center, (451 Shuswap St. SW) involving over a dozen different free Salmon Arm parent programs.
Parents, grandparents, foster parents, caregivers and anyone wanting to learn more about these programs can attend anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to gather information, speak with facilitators and group members, pick the right group for them and sign up.
Most people would agree that parenting is one of the most important jobs we will ever do, as well as the most challenging. Yet few start our parenting careers with much knowledge regarding this important undertaking or the curve balls that it might throw our way.
Even those with some kind of formal or informal parenting education may find themselves in situation where they could use a listening ear or some back-up from others who have also been there. Still other parents find themselves isolated and would like to connect with parents of children of similar ages.
Salmon Arm has a wealth of free parent programs which are offered through several different non-profit organizations.
They come with trained facilitators and offer either parent education, group support or sometimes both.
A parent group exists in Salmon Arm for parents of children and youth of all ages - from pre-natal to teens. There are programs for parents of children with challenging behaviours or with mental health issues. There is even a network for grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Some of the programs that will be represented at the information session on Sept. 27 include: Connect Parent (pre-teens and teens); Parents Together (teens); Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Network; Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group; The FORCE Parent Support Group (a child with mental illness); Strengthening Families Workshop (a family member with mental illness); Healthiest Babies Possible (0-6 months); Little Caboose Playgroup (0-3 years); Family Place Strong Start (0-5 years), Nobody’s Perfect Parenting (0-5 years); Mother’s Journey Pre-natal and Post-natal Support Group; Breast Feeding Matters Support Group; and the Baby Talk Series (0-12 months).
The Salmar Theatre has donated six tickets to the movies to be drawn as door prizes.
For more information, call the Shuswap Family Resource Centre 250-832-2170 or Susie 250-833-6406.