Resource centre a phenomenal asset in area

Digby County Family Resource Centre is a phenomenal asset for our community. Although a number of programs are offered at 19 Prince William Street, most of the resource centre’s programs for families and children are offered in the communities in which they live.

Executive director Darlene Lawrence has worked diligently with funding sources to identify needs and provide vital services in Digby County. A program staff of four works to offer school readiness, pre-natal and post-natal supports, parenting resources and many other community specific initiatives.

The school readiness program is offered in Bear River, Digby, Weymouth and Digby Neck. This program for three- and four-year-olds offers children an opportunity to become aware of the routines and activities associated with school. The curriculum includes letter and number concepts, crafts and other school related activities.

The pre- and post-natal programs include nutrition, ‘Baby and Me’ groups, and other new parent supports. A new initiative that the resource centre is hoping will provide multi-generational collaboration is ‘Mothers United’. New moms will meet with experienced moms on a weekly basis. Time-honored sage advice and reassurance is the key for new mothers. This is also a phenomenal networking opportunity for all the moms in the communities in which they live.

Cultural awareness, such as an initiative that focuses on the needs of the Black community, is also a significant part of the resource centre’s mandate. Many of these programs are offered one-to-one and focus on literacy, school readiness and parent challenges.

Parent forums and information sessions are ongoing and are to be offered in Digby, Freeport, Digby Neck and other locations as demand is identified. Sessions include the program ‘Ketchup is Not a Vegetable’, which focuses on healthy eating and lifestyles; Reading Begins at Birth, which identifies strategies that will help the parents facilitate active learning behaviours in their children; and I’m the Parent—You’re the Child, That’s Why, which focuses on discipline and organization.

All of the services offered by the Digby County Family Resource Centre are at no cost to the family and no referrals are needed. If you are interested in any of these programs or you want to find out more, contact the centre at 245-6464.