Vancouver Declares Oct 5-11 Family Place Week
It's Family Place Week! The Family Place Partnership of which Eastside Family Place is part provides a welcoming, safe and supportive place for young families for the benefit of the whole community.
Vancouver Councillor Lisa Dominato (pictured above) helped kick-off Family Place Week by presenting Eastside Family Place with the proclamation signed by Mayor Stewart. After 40 plus years in the community and even in the midst of a global pandemic, ESFP continues to be a steadfast champion and support for Grandview-Woodland families!
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New! Take It and Make It Craft Kits
Too rainy to get outdoors? No worries! We got you covered! Welcome to Creative Family Fun Time's online program. This is an arts based family activity that can be done at home on rainy days via our YouTube channel and we even supply the materials! If you are interested in joining in the fun, send an email to Arlene. She will set up a time for you to pick up your craft kit and give you the YouTube link for the weekly project. Every week we will have a new craft for you to try out at home!
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Monthly Speaker Series
Parenting in Challenging Times
Our first webinar,Taking the Lead - Compassion and Coping, is this week! Wed, Oct 7, 7:00-8:30. It's not too late to join! Register here!
Join us as we welcome Cathryn McPhee, BSN, MEd, in this first of our monthly webinars featuring parenting and child development experts. We'll meet (on Zoom). Learn how we can tap into our capacity for compassion to help not only our children cope with this rapid pace of change but also ourselves as parents, partners, and workers. Self-compassion can reduce stress and anxiety, and is key for supporting resiliency in ourselves and others. There will be time for Q & A and sharing at the end.
Cathryn McPhee is a Parent Educator and Facilitator with Information Children and also a Heart Mind Well-being Facilitator with the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education.
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Ongoing Outdoor Programs
Backyard Play Time
Join us in our backyard play space Mon and Wed from 11 am -12 pm. Enjoy activities and connect with staff and other young families. Register on our website every Wed & Thurs and on the Fri we'll confirm with you. Note that if you have previously registered, you can also email us directly to request a spot. Our safety plan can be found here.
Creative Family Fun Time
Rain or Shine - come dressed for the weather! Every Tues and Thurs morning 10 -11:15 we will meet in the Britannia Community Garden to play games, do nature crafts and explore the garden. Register on our website every Wed & Thurs and on the Fri we'll confirm with you. If you have previously filled out the CFFT registration form, you can also contact us via email to request your day/s. Too rainy? See the article above about our new YouTube craft demos and free craft kits you can pick up.
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Workshops and Programs
MULTI-WEEK PROGRAMS:
Creating Connections and Calming the Self Group in-person.* This is an 8-week program designed for 3-5 year olds and their parents to explore ways to co-regulate through expressive arts and movement. Join Mamata and Krystle to dance, play, and make art together to foster attachment, emotional regulation and self-expression!
Wednesdays, Oct 14 - Dec 9, 10 am to 11 am, Email Mamata to register. Limited space available. *Note: this is an in-person program (following current public health recommendations).
Family Rhythm, Rhyme + Movement, on Zoom. Join Nuri and Dawn Zoe as they lead you in our Saturday morning early literacy program with songs, rhymes, stories and creative movement.
Saturdays, on Zoom, Oct 17 - Nov 21, 10-11:30 am for 6 sessions. Email to register.
Circle of Security parenting program, on Zoom. Explore child development, needs and behaviours from the lens of attachment. By being more in tune with your children's connection needs, you can develop strategies to more positively respond to them, and create a closer relationship. Limited to 6 participants on Zoom.
Fridays, on Zoom, Oct 23 - Dec 4, 1-2:30, for 8 sessions. Email to register.
WORKSHOPS:
Cooking Skills with Andrea Potter of Rooted Nutrition, on Zoom. Andrea will share her approach to making nutritious, yummy meals in under an hour. The classes are from 5:00-5:45 pm, and you can cook along if you so choose. Ingredients list and recipes will be provided in advance.
- Versatile Sauces from Scratch - Friday, Oct 23, 5-5:45 pm. Registration LInk. Tired of the same weekly meals? Does your cooking need some new flavours, vibrancy, pizzaz? The secret is in the sauce! Learn how to make healthy sauces, marinades and dressings from scratch what will liven up your tastebuds.
- Better Snacks - Friday, Nov 20, 5-5:45 pm. Registration Link. Ditch the unhealthy ingredients, wasteful packaging and extra cost of store-bought snacks by learning how to whip up some healthier versions of your kids' (new or current) favourites.
COUNSELLING:
Registered Clinical Counsellor, Krystle Sivorot, is offering in-person* counselling appointments to ESFP members on Wednesdays. Her practice supports children, youth, and adults struggling with emotional challenges and encourages cultivating the wisdom of the body and mind. Her practice uses breath, movement, and mindfulness to deepen a connection to the body as a resource for well-being and nurturing joy. (remote/tele sessions also available). To book a session, email Krystle. No cost for ESFP members ($20 per year/family, subsidies available).
OCCASIONAL CARE: 'Break Time for Mom and Dad!'
Take a break, get some errands done, see your dentist... we've got you covered! Offered every Tues and Thurs 10-12, must be pre-booked. If you aren't already registered as a child care client, you will need to do a gradual entry process. To register or to get more details, email Gisele McClain, our childcare staff.
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Crazy Combination Creatures
Here are a couple of examples from our Let's Make Art Together class. It's an activity that can keep you engaged with your child for any length of time you have. Waiting for a dentist or doctor appointment? Lining up a the ferry? Rainy day boredom? All you need is a piece of paper, and a marker, pencil, or crayon. Here's a video to explain how it's done. |
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COVID-19 testing info and list of testing sites can be found here on the VCH website.
Drs. Bop and Pop (really!) upbeat Youtube song about mask wearing. The good docs have several related vids.
Cute musical family sing their catchy hand-washing song.
Who wouldn't want to sing "Washy Washy Clean Scrub Scrub" to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It"?
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FUN STUFF:
SELF-CARE:
MENTAL HEALTH:
- Free Counseling Service. If you are struggling and would like to speak with a Registered Clinical Counselor, please email us for a confidential referral
- From Canada.ca - access support workers/social workers/ psychologists for confidential chat sessions or phone calls by texting "WELLNESS" to 741741. If you are a frontline worker, text "FRONTLINE" to same number. The Wellness Together Canada mental wellness portal- wide range of free resources
- Pacific Post Partum Support Society, 10am-3pm, phone / text support for new or expecting parents. 604-255-7999
PARENTING SUPPORT:
- Cathryn McPhee is an East Van parenting consultant from Information Children, and can help with ages 0-12 years. CALL 778-782-3548 for a confidential call-back, or go online for more info on their free services
- Dr. Vanessa Lapointe - parenting author, online classes, blog
- The Neufeld Institute - resources on the pandemic and its effects on children, from an attachment-based, developmental approach
- Hand in Hand Parenting Special Playtime experts/videos/live
- Elevating Childcare RIE based, respectful parenting podcast/newsletter
- Susan Stiffelman Parenting Without Power Struggles
JUST FOR DADS:
ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES:
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL INFO:
- The Vancouver Rent Bank supports individuals and families who need access to a temporary loan to maintain their housing stability/avoid homelessness
- Family Services of Greater Vancouver help with financial benefits, emergency budget planning CALL: 604-368-2469 or e: moneyskills@fsgv.ca
- Helping Women Now, from Dress for Success. Helps women affected by job reduction/loss
- Provincial hotline dedicated to answering NON-MEDICAL questions, CALL 1-888-COVID19 or 1-888-268-4319
- Corona Virus: Your Legal Questions Answered, People's Law School
FOOD:
- Map Showing free/low-cost food in Vancouver
- Better Together BC, recipes, inspiration for eating more family meals together
- East Van Cares, by Grandview Woodland Food Connection. Free food boxes to seniors and families with young children, volunteers and donations gladly accepted!
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SIGNAL FOR HELP
The social isolation measures necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic are making it more difficult for those who are at risk of abuse or violence to safely reach out for help. “Signal for Help” is a simple one-handed sign someone can use on a video call. It can help a person silently show they need help and want someone to check in with them in a safe way. For more information on the Signal for Help, including tips on how to help someone if you see it on a call, please go to the Canadian Women's Foundation page. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
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Follow Us!
Stay in the loop and don't miss a thing. Check us out on Facebook (@eastsidefamilyplacesociety) & Instagram (@familyplaceprograms) or at eastsidefamilyplace.org
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Eastside Family Place is proud of being the Grandview-Woodland community’s 'home away from home' for over 40 years.
Please renew your membership to help us continue our work. Thanks!
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We wish to acknowledge we are on the unceded, traditional territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) , Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
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