Child care info centre to close up TERRACE’S ONE- STOP centre for child care information and help is closing when the com- munity needs it most, says a local child care specialist. , Ann Peltier, co-ordinator of the The Family Place, said it’s closing in March because the provincial and federal governments won't provide any more mozcy. + Tt was set up as four-year pilot project in 1995 by the iwo governinents on the un- derstanding that after four years, The Family Place would become self- sufficient. , Yet with 5,000 people coming in or phoning in just one year alone, Peltier wonders why . the two overnments don’t want it to continne. - “Childcare isn’t a priority to them,’’ Peltier said. * But she said it is a priority to people living here as when economic times wors- ent, the need for The Family Place increases, **tAs more people are struggling, there’s more need for information,” Peltier said. ‘ The ‘theory behind creat- ing child care resource centres was that by provid- ing affordable quality child care, low-income parents would get off welfare and go back ta work. ' The hope was that quality child care ‘would also help break the generational cycle of poverty aud related health problems in children. ' Centres in Nelson, Van- couver and Courtenay/Comox also opened i in 1995, ' The Family Place’s goals are to increase accessibifily and quality of all aspects of child care, provide work- shops for parents and child tare workers, help people set up their own child care facilities and provide a government employee who could provide child care subsidies, “The centre was created So parents wouldn’t have to be running all over town for information on different childcare needs,’’ Peltier said. ‘“‘They could get everything they needed here,” The centre provides resources and workshops on parenting skills, healthy child development, fetal al- cohol syndrome, activities for children, sexual abuse, separation and divorce, grief, positive parenting, guidance and discipline, multicultural play, music, nutrition, dealing with atten- tion deficit disorder, and learning disabilities. The last planned operating day at The Family Place, a rented house -across Park Ave. from the women’s resource centre, is March 31, 1999, Closing will be a day care’ facility and there won’t be anymore training or work- shops as well. Tina Daye, children’s co- ordinator at the Family Place, said the Skeena Child Care Resource and Referral program (which informs people how to start their own childcare facility and where to find quality child- care) will still exist, but she doesu’ know where it will be located. A child care information lending library will go wherever the Skeena Child Care Resource and Referral goes. The government child care subsidy program will be taken over by the human resources ministry. Peltier said The Family Place has tricd find money to keep it open, but hasn’t been successful. . bees “Bven ‘if we: re-arranged hours’ for the® five’: staff* members, there are certain fixed costs like rent and resources that cost money,”’ The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 16, 1998 - A3 | THAT'S TINA Daye, t the children's co-ordinator at The Family Place. It's schedul- ed to close the end of March 1999 if the provincial Ministry of Children and Families doesn’t provide more money to keep the pilot project's pragrams going. she said. _And since the community itself is in a tough time, it’s hard to ask people for sup- port, Provincial Ministry of Children and Families offi- cial Caitlin Sassaman said the government hasn’t guar- anteed money for any of the other pilot projects in B.C. She said the ministry agrees The Family Place is a success and that officials are ~ ati evaluating the pos- JSsibility of giving it more money. Cassaman said the minis- try will not make a decision until the end of March. Judges get ready for lights judging THOSE. WHO have entered the 10th annual Christmas lights decorating contest should Lave their displays turned on tomorrow evening when judges make their rounds. Representatives of the Cariboo Reali Estate Board, the Terrace Beautification Society and a cily councillor will be out between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. “They'll even consider displays from people who haven't entered,’’ noted real estate board director Gordie Olson. There are five contest categorics — best home, best ‘apartment/mobile, best street, best commercial. display and best overall effort. Winners will reccive plaques. _ The deadline is 4 p.m, today. Entries can be dropped off or faxed to The Terrace Standard at 3210 Clinton St, fax number 638-8432, or sent to any local real estate agency. Your Christmas donation guide HERE’S A brief rundown of where and how to make Christmas donations this year. Those involved in col- lecting various contributions do remind donators that time is running short. kkkik THIS IS the Salvation Amiy’s busiest week as far as donations go in ils effort 10 raise $22,000 for its Christ- mas food hamper program. This has been a record year for hamper requests — 500 compared to 450 last year. As of late last week, the Army had raised approxi- mately $15,000 of the amount it needs for hampers. In total, the Army wants to collect $45,000 with the remainder going toward its ongoing family services program. Donations can be made by contacting the Amny or by using one of the Christmas kettles set up around town. Volunteers will have the kettles ovt until Christmas Eve. ak kkk GIFTS for children ranging from newborns to 16 years of age are always welcome for the Salvation Army hampers. Toys and gifts should be new and unwrapped. They can be dropped off at the Skeena Broadcasters office at the corner of Lazelle Ave. and Emerson St. beginning Dec. 1. xk kkk The Terrace Child Development Centre will set up its Tree of Lights in the Skeena Mall Nov. 26, This is an opportunity for people to support children with special needs by lighting up a Christmas tree. People can make donations for lights so that by Dec. 23 the trec should be glimmering with different coloured lights. This year will mark the 12th annual Tree of Lights organized by the Child Development Centre. Each year about $6,000 is raised. The money goes toward programs for special needs children, therapy, education and support. It also sponsors prenatal programs to expectant mothers, giving babies the healthiest start possible. Both individuals and businesses are asked to pur- chase a light for the tree, Lights cost anywhere from $2-$50 for individuals and $10-$100 for businesses. Tax receipts are available. kak kkk TOYS WILL BE delivered to children again this year courtesy of the Terrace Anti-Poverty Group Society. Now that the Co-op and K-Marl are gone, Canadian Tire, Zellers and the Bargain Shop are helping with the program. Trees have been set up in participating stores wilh decorative tags that list a child’s name, age and sex, Simply select a card and once you’ve bought a gift bring it to the service desks of those stores. Organizer Roseanne Pearce said she already has about 100 chil- dren registered in the program. The society is always looking for donations of food, clothing and household items. You can drop them off at 4628 Park Avenue, Volunteers to help wrap’ and deliver gifts are also welcome." Be EET ee rrr: ae) a Receive a FREE Pair Of Christmas Glass Tumblers with every $30 purchase* Receive a FREE Metallic Tea Light with any $20 Cosmetic purchase" “while quantities last icludes in-stock t phones, answerin “machines, TV's, VO and stereos: f ights, Garland, Decoration Omoments and Stockin