Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Parent Workshop October 27th!

Curious about the benefits of meditation for your family? Come out on October 27th and learn and try out some of the Fantastic Five Techniques.

1. The Grounding Cord- Achieving emotional balance
2. Notice Emotions Instead of Becoming Them
3. Sensational Focus
4. Experiencing a Child's World
5. Looking into the Mirror

Come out and join in this enlightening event right here in Beaumont. Phone 780 929 9721 for more information.

Ready for some FAMILY FUN?

Here is the official Media release explaining Family Fun Week!

Have Fun with your Family during
National Family Week!

From October 5 to 11, 2009, Canadians in communities across the country will come together for local celebrations during National Family Week. The week provides an opportunity to celebrate families and reflect on their importance in our lives.

The theme for this year’s National Family Week, Jump into Family Fun!, provides an opportunity to celebrate and promote the many different ways families have fun together, nurturing their physical, spiritual and emotional health.

Through National Family Week activities, family members can embark on a journey of rediscovery as they take the time to reconnect through play as a family.

National Family Week is a partnership initiative of The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada), a bilingual, not-for-profit association with members located in all provinces and territories. FRP Canada promotes the well-being of families by providing national leadership, consultation and resources to those who care for children and support families.

FRP Canada, together with 11 partner organizations, has produced resources with helpful tips and suggestions for fun activities that families can do together. These resources are available electronically at www.frp.ca/nfw

National Family Week partners include: BC Council for Families, BestStart/Health Nexus, Canadian Child Care Federation, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, Green Communities/Active & Safe Routes to School, Invest in Kids, Lettuce Make Thyme Inc., Media Awareness Network, ParticipACTION, Safe Kids Canada, and THRIVE! The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development.

Please join FRP Canada and its NFW partners in celebrating families in all our communities during National Family Week, October 5-11, 2009!

Check back here next week for some great family fun ideas!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Happy Birthday Beaumont Youth Centre















































































Almost two weeks ago, the Beaumont Youth Centre turned FIVE! FCSS and Youth Centre Staff, Elected Officials, youth, and other community members were on hand to celebrate with inspiring words, fabulous music, beautiful artwork dedications, and extremely yummy cupcakes. It was a very fitting way to celebrate the growth and success of a very important part of our community. The Town of Beaumont is a better place because of the youth centre, its staff and valuable program it offers to youth within our town. Here are some photos of the festivities.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Our Fearless Leader at Beaumont FCSS: Kim Williston

Kim Williston, has been at the helm of Beaumont FCSS since 2006. Active in a variety of local partnerships and initiatives, Kim is passionate about supporting families within our community. Kim has been integral in developing the 40 Developmental Assets right here in Beaumont and looks forward to the launch of the Search Institute's survey process this October to local schools. J.E. Lapointe School, Coloniale School and Beaumont Secondary High School are slated to be participating in this comprehensive survey in order to assess 40 Developmental Assets in our youth aged 11-17.

An annual FCSS program just recently launched here in Beaumont is the Christmas Elves program. This dedicated group of volunteers is gearing up again to collect food, toys and personal care items to ensure that all families in Beaumont have a very merry Christmas. To volunteer for this program or to find out what items are needed for donations please contact Tina at: 780 929-2515.

To contact Kim phone: 780 929 9143 or email kim.williston@town.beaumont.ab.ca

Friday, September 11, 2009

Introducing: Jenny Cash Town of Beaumont FCSS Liaison




My name is Jenny Kash and I am the new Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Community Liaison for the Town of Beaumont. I can be reached by phone at (780) 929-9271 Monday thru Friday or at the FCSS office.

I am excited about working in the Beaumont Community and would like to give everyone a bit of information about my background and what I am bringing to your community. Most recently I spent the summer with Leduc Child & Family Services, which provided me a great opportunity to learn about the resources available in Leduc and the surrounding counties. Prior to this summer, I spent the past three years working for Legal Aid Alberta in a support and advocacy role to the families they serviced. A major part of my role was to provide information and referrals to families for community services, ranging from parenting and anger management programs, to addictions and mental health services, to financial supports and benefits. I also spent time working with clients experiencing family violence and the programs and services available in this area.

As the FCSS Community Liaison I will be working on a number of projects and I am excited to say that these projects will help me get to know more about Beaumont and how I can contribute to the community. One of the areas that I will be focusing a lot of time on is the Developmental Asset Approach and bringing more awareness of the 40 Developmental Assets identified by the Search Institute to the Beaumont Community. You may have already been to a workshop FCSS put on earlier in the year or you may have read about this approach on this blog. Watch for more information coming soon about how the Developmental Asset Approach is being implemented in Beaumont and how all community members are able to make a positive impact on our youth with the Developmental Assets Approach. Another area that I am working on with the help of many, is organizing the Parent Workshop Series. If you have any suggestions or interest in a specific topic that you would like to see a workshop organized for, please call or email me. Watch for more information about the topics and presenters that will be offered starting October 21, 2009 at the Beaumont Community Youth Centre.
For more information on any of the above, or for any questions, please call me at (780) 929-9271 or email me at jenny.kash@town.beaumont.ab.ca.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Back to School Photo


Here is a photo of my very own kids getting on the bus for the first time this year. This time of year is bitter sweet for many parents. If you have any back to school photos you would like to post here...let me know or just email your picture to thekbunch@xplornet.com No names will be published on this blog in case you are worried about privacy. Happy September.

FCSS Programming for Fall 2009

FCSS programming for youth and their families this fall in the Town of Beaumont.

Let’s Talk: offered through the Beaumont and Community Youth Centre. These interactive and fun workshops touch on a variety of topics in an engaging manner that keep youth aged 12-17 interested while learning about important topics like: improving communication, healthy relationships, self-esteem, and anger management. Contact the Beaumont Youth Centre for topics and times. 780-929-5155 or www.town.beaumont.ab.ca/youth/index.asp

HEROES: An interactive program focusing on developing Character, Confidence and Integrity in young people. The HEROES program is delivered through the school health curriculum in the junior high setting. A series of 12 sessions delivered in class (contact your local school for availability) will help youth discover their unique gifts and abilities, how to develop and maintain healthy relationships, and recognize their willingness to succeed in life. For more information phone 504-5969 or for more information about the HEROES program check out: http://www.impactsociety.com/

Kids and Drugs: The power of parents; is a workshop series aimed at helping parents of school aged children to prevent drug use and abuse. This 4 week workshop series recognizes that parents with strong parenting skills and a close relationship with their child are better able to recognize and help prevent drug use of their child. This program was developed by AADAC and the RCMP and will be offered right here in the community of Beaumont through a partnership between Town of Beaumont FCSS, RCMP, and AADAC. For more information about the Kids and Drugs program check it out on line: www.aadac.com/documents/KidsDrugs_Parent.pdf

Parent Workshop series. This year’s series will be offering a variety of topics on the third Monday of every month starting October 2009. These informative sessions will take place at the Beaumont Community Youth Centre from 7:00-9:00 pm. Topics and presenters are still to be announced. Topics that have been offered in the past are: Family Finance, Alcohol Liability, Bully Proof your Child, 40 Developmental Assets and more. Look forward to additional interesting topics this year. Most of these workshops don’t require pre-registration but for more information contact the FCSS Liaison at: 780 929-9271.

One on one support is available through the Youth Outreach Facilitator; Linda Mix-Kondratski for young people struggling with self-esteem issues, bullying, parent – teen conflict, or problems with personal relationships. These sessions are confidential and free of charge. Phone 780 504-5969 for an appointment.

Parents Empowering Parents: A program offering confidential support, education and hope for parents who are concerned about the drug or alcohol use of their youth. No pre-registration is necessary, there are no fees associated with this group and meetings held the second and fourth Monday of the month from 7-9pm at the Beaumont Community Youth Centre. Phone 780-504-5969 for more information or check out http://www.pepsociety.ca/ or http://beaumontfcss.blogspot.com/ on line. Next meetings: September 14, 28th,October 12th, 26th.

New programming this fall: Girl Talk. Is there a young female in your life that would benefit from learning about self-esteem, healthy body image, healthy relationships, and more? Girl Talk is geared to young women aged 12-17 that would like to discuss and explore these topics in a safe and supportive environment. Small group discussion as well as hands on activities will provide a fun and informative experience that will help participants discover their unique gifts and help them succeed now and in the future. This group will run out of the Youth Centre on Monday afternoons. Call 780-504-5969 for more information.

Talk Club: This is an 8 week information and support group developed for kids aged 9-12 that have experienced some significant loss in their life, or are dealing with separation or divorce of their parents. Topics like dealing with change, facing our fears and worries along with handling anger are dealt with in an age appropriate and engaging manner. These groups are offered through J.E. la Pointe and Coloniale Schools. Dates of upcoming sessions are TBA. For more information about the sessions please call 780-504-5969.

FCSS Blog. Offers important information about a variety of upcoming events and ongoing programming delivered by the Town of Beaumont FCSS. Weekly updates include tips and suggestions to help make family life more enjoyable as well as providing photos and updates about fun events offered through the Town of Beaumont. Learn more about your local Family and Community Support Services Department and find important links to resources on line and within your community. Our web address is http://beaumontfcss.blogspot.com/