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.

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/

Seize the Summer

With the final weeks, (well days) of summer before us, now is the time to make the most of these few precious days are left.

Looking for a quick getaway this weekend consider Drumhellar, and the Tyrell Museum of Palentology, Calgary and the Calgary Zoo, Banff, Jasper, or what about LacLabiche? Sometimes even an overnight getaway at the end of summer can leave you with memories that will last for weeks and months to come.

Not able to get away for an overnight trip? There are dozens of attractions right in the Edmonton area. Why not explore activities and attractions closer to home? Right in our own backyard there a variety of things to do that will be sure to please the whole family. Check out Muttart Conservatory, Telus World of Science, Fort Edmonton Park, John Janzen Nature Centre, Ukranian Cultural Centre , Reynold's Museum in Wetaskiwin, or check out the Edmonton Eskimos Football game this saturday.

If even these close to home adventures seem too adventurous why not focus on rest and relaxation in your own home? To help set the tone here are some ideas for creating a relaxing environment in your home. If you are feeling stressed out at home, here are some ways to create a stress free environment. And check out this link for some do it yourself at home spa tricks!

However you choose to spend the remaining days of this summer try to be in the moment and enjoy the warmth and relaxed pace that the summer season provides.

Passion For Photography

For those as interested...dare I say passionate about photography as me...check out MCP Actions, this is a great resource for both photography and photo editing. There is some very cool stuff to be found on this site!

Parent Link BBQ this Thursday

Just to let you know, the people down at Parent Link will be hosting a fun event this Thursday (August 20) at the Beaumont Lion's Spray Park. The event runs from 12:30-2:30 and will feature face painting and other great activities geared for kids. For all the imformation check out the Parent Link Summer Newsletter. See you There!

Summer Camp at Home Ideas

Wow, I have been away from my blog for what feels like a very long time. I recently completed a grant proposal to be able to bring the Kids & Drugs (The Power of Parents) program to Beaumont. I really have my fingers crossed that the funding comes through. It will allow us to really engage with parents and families who will most benefit from this interactive and informative workshop series.

On a more personal note...I just got back from a week of holidays and am getting out from under a pile of unanswered emails...telephone messages and dirty laundry! I'm back, and available via email or phone...so if you have questions about youth programming here in Beaumont...don't hesitate to contact me! Email: thekbunch@xplornet.com and phone 780 504-5969.

So now for some summer camp resources if you are trying to fill in the last few weeks of summer holidays with some home grown fun. If you want to build a cool summer camp structure check this out: Now if you are looking for summer craft ideas...this website has lots of resources. This web-site has some great ideas for stay at home vacations that the whole family will enjoy.

Get out there and enjoy these wonderful summer days ahead!