The grand opening of the Assiniboia Family Centre took place on November 20 with a ribbon cutting, snacks and the pitter patter of little feet.
“The Kids First program started in 1999,” Jill Zahariuk stated. “It was a dream of mine to have a family centre.” Her dream was a long time coming but it finally came true on November 20 which was also National Children’s Day.
The day began with children arriving with their parents and settling in to play. The centre’s board members and special guests like Cst. Mark Dijkstra also attended. Mayor Bob Himbeault cut the ribbon to open the Family Centre assisted by children attending that day. As the children played in the toy areas, parents mingled and shared playtime experiences.
The Assiniboia Family Centre and Tot Spot Program is a resource centre that aims to offer a comprehensive range of programs. The programs are aimed at enhancing child and family well-being by reducing family isolation, supporting healthy child development and providing information to support positive parenting. In the programs, children will be able to explore art, music and physical recreation. They will have a chance to enhance their language, literacy, numeracy and social development as well as engage in other activities that encourage development of gross motor skills.
Currently, the centre focuses on the early years by moving the Tot Spot program into the centre. In time, the centre’s board looks to expand programming and services to include a variety of age groups.
Previously, the Tot Spot program was run out of the basement of the St. George’s Catholic Church. The Kids First program was grateful that the parish allowed them to use this space. Now, the Town has given the green light to the centre to use the old library building next to the Post Office at 110 Fourth Avenue.
This allows the centre to run expanded programming on a free drop-in basis. It is open Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Kelly Bruno is the coordinator for the centre.
Before moving in, the building underwent some touch ups. Donations came from Southland Co-op, Harvey’s Home Centre, Home Styles, and Fresh Start. Volunteers helped out from the Assiniboia Composite High School and Town of Assiniboia employees. The centre is run by a volunteer board that includes Jill Zahariuk, Lori Anderson, Janet Cristo, Melanie Warken, Tess Corman, Patty Mergel, Jessica Bell, Jen Pituley, Cheryl DeNeire, and Michelle Vallier.
The centre welcomes community members to become a part of the centre by becoming a board member, a member of the parent advisory board for Tot Spot, by donating goods or services, or by providing corporate sponsorship.
Tot Spot activities for the month of December include craft day from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on December 4, Playdough fun starting at 1:30 p.m. on December 5, mega blocks building day starting at 9:30 a.m. on December 7. The cold and flu are featured on December 11 with a children’s presentation at 10:30 a.m. Children’s science day starts at 10 a.m. on December 12, and puzzle day is the theme from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on December 14.
On December 18, story time starts at 10 a.m. with open play from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A specialty Christmas craft time will be held at 1:30 p.m. with open play from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on December 19. On December 21, the centre will have picture day with Santa at 10:30 a.m. and with open play 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tot Spot will be closed the week of December 25-29 and the week of January 1-5, 2018. Programs will resume in the new year.
