Please join us! ESFP's AGM is on Oct 1, 7 pm
Join Eastside Family Place for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) being held on Zoom on October 1.
The Annual General Meeting for fiscal year 2019-2020 will be held in the evening of Thursday, October 1, 2020 from 7-8 pm via Zoom. Please click HERE for the AGM agenda. To register, please send an email here.
At the AGM we will be launching our webinar series 'Parenting in Challenging Times' with a preview of our first guest speaker, Cathryn McPhee, Parent Educator/Facilitator with Information Children.
Cathryn's webinar Taking the Lead – Compassion and Coping is scheduled for Oct 7, 7 pm. At our AGM, she will be setting the context and providing some examples of challenges and strategies that frame her 'Taking the Lead' perspective. The webinar on Oct 7 will follow this topic up in more detail with the opportunity to participate in Q&A. We look forward to welcoming you at both our AGM and our webinar series.
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NEW! Monthly Speaker Series
Parenting in Challenging Times
Join us as we welcome Cathryn McPhee, BSN, MEd, (above), in this first of our new monthly webinars featuring parenting and child development experts. We'll meet (on Zoom) Wednesday evening the 7th of October, from 7:00-8:30 PM. See 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.
Taking the Lead - Compassion and Coping, Wednesday, Oct 7, 7:00-8:30 PM All parents and caregivers welcome! Register here!
Note that Cathryn will also be giving a brief overview of her webinar at our Oct 1st AGM. See details above.
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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 in a stimulating and safe environment. Register on our website every Wed & Thurs and on the Fri we'll confirm with you for the following week.. Our safety plan can be found in our Registered Backyard Play Time Policies.
Creative Family Fun Time
Rain or Shine! Every Tues and Thurs morning 10 -11:30 am we will meet in the Britannia Community Garden to play games and activities, do nature crafts and explore the garden and all it has to offer. This will be led by our two new students, Catherine and Courtney. Register on our website every Wed & Thurs and on the Fri we'll confirm with you for the following week. Starts Sept 29th!
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Meet Our New Students! Catherine (top) and Courtney (below) will be leading our new Creative Family Fun Time outdoor program, as well as creating a variety of online content for families!
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They are excited to start sharing their programs and plans with you and your children, starting next week. Please check our website for more details and to pre-register. They can be reached by email here.
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We are Family Support Workers and we are here to help!
During the first part of the shutdown, our family support workers stayed in contact with members, offering phone support and referrals, and just being there to listen. We continue to be here to offer you support and help you find resources. Contact us via email to request a call-back. Find us outside in the Grandview Park playground Mon and Wed mornings chatting with parents and caregivers. And, at all the registered programs, you can connect with staff there too. We are here to help! |
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Pictured above is Paddi McGraph in her art studio. She will be leading our Let's Make Art Together! online workshop this Friday morning, Sept 25, 11-12. Register.
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Upcoming Workshops and Programs
WORKSHOPS:
Let's Make Art Together - family creativity workshop on Zoom. Led by local artist and educator, Paddi McGraff, who has facilitated art workshops for the very young to the very old for over twenty years. We will have fun together making 'Crazy Combination Creatures' - only supplies needed are 8.5 x 11 paper and markers. This is a great rainy day or "I'm bored" activity that can become a favourite way to connect with your children.
Friday, Sept 25, 11 am-12 pm, on Zoom. Registration is open, click here!
Cooking Skills with Andrea Potter of Rooted Nutrition, on Zoom. Andrea will share her approach to making nutritious and yummy meals for growing families. The classes are from 5:00-5:45 pm, so you have the option of cooking along for your evening meal. You will be sent a list of ingredients and the recipes ahead of time.
- 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.
MULTI-WEEK PROGRAMS:
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, starting Oct 17, 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 attachment needs, you can develop strategies to more positively respond to them, and create a closer connection. Limited to 6 participants on Zoom.
Fridays, on Zoom, starting October 23, 1-2:30, for 8 sessions. Email to register.
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. Krystle looks at supporting the whole family system to find new ways of deepening the relationship to self and others in the community. Her practice uses breath, movement, and mindfulness to deepen a connection to the body as a resource for well-being and nurturing joy. Krystle is thrilled to be walking alongside families in their journey to find healing and growth at Eastside Family Place. Krystle is also able to offer remote/tele sessions to those that cannot attend in person. 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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We are giving away free craft kits in honour of Orange Shirt Day!
Orange Shirt Day is Sept 30 each year. Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake in 2013 and has since spread to schools across B.C. and Canada. Orange Shirt Day is a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada and learn more about the history of those schools. Please reserve your craft kit by emailing here. It will include orange shirt cut outs, markers, stickers etc. For kid-friendly info on Orange Shirt Day, check out CBC Kids.
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Help us out- take our 2 minute survey!
Your feedback will help us evaluate and plan future programs. Thank you very much, we appreciate your input!
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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:
- Britannia Community Centre runs a weekly farmers market featuring local produce from Fractal Farms and different arts, crafts, and food vendors every week. Tuesdays 2-7 pm in the plaza.
- 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
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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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