TERRACE — Foster
parents are subjected toa

great deal of responsibili--

ty, that in the long run is
worth the efforts that peo-
ple ‘make to provide a
good home for the
children that they take
care of. This is the type of
reasoning which the local
Foster Parents Organiza-
tion is trying to get across
to individuals who are
considering this type of
step.

by Philip Musselman

Many local residents
have taken the step of
foster parenting and have
found the experience as

20 ‘Teac Revie — Webnesiay,Febraty 987 | . - a
Foster parenting can be
raising your own children —

rewarding as raising

natural children. A local
drive to achieve a larger
membership started with

orientation meetings.

which began on Feb. 3
and will continue on Feb.
10, 17, and 24. These
meetings will take place
from 7:30 pm.to 9:00 pm
in The Social-‘Services and
Housing Building located
at 34 3412 Kalum Street in
Terrace.

The first session will
cover the challenges of
foster parenting and the
children who are involved:-

_ the second meeting’s agen-

da includes discussions on
people who become foster
parents and the process of

Nora Gwilt

adjusting; the third
gathering includes a plan-

5 ‘ned talk on the separation persori's

and grief that can go with
foster parenting; and
finally the fourth and final
orientation session will in-
volve a look at the team
approach of this type of
child care. . .
People who are in-
terested in the prospect of
foster parenting are asked
to come out and find out
as much. as they can.
’ Foster parenting is not

an easy task, said Nora _

Gwilt, group spokesper-

finds in natural parenting.

we sees heen ‘a id el Teas
it’s Wednesday, the bell rings, the time is 3:00 p.m. For most youngster at E.T. Kenney Primary

presently takes care of two.
foster children and her.

own two boys, adjusting is

the important -step,
everyone must become
familiar with the other

needs. ;

Children involved can |

be disturbed, runaways,
handicapped, or they can
just. be missing their
parents temporarily due to
medical reasons, etc. Ac-
cording to Gwilt, in order
to get the best results,

everything ‘should be out: <

in the open in order to
achieve. trust.
- Information on foster-
ing indicates that: ‘(Foster
parents are substitute

son, but it involves the parents. They provide a
~ kindness and love that one

secure supportive
homelife for chiidren

According to Gwilt,who who, often: through no

problems and -

fault of their own, cannot
be with their own families ~

for a while”? A descrip. |
_ tion of qualifications for

foster parents would in-
clude: patience,

understanding, flexibility,

and’ tamily
Although -

honesty,
stability.

families with a good:

vr

financial background are
preferred, special arrange-.

‘ments have been made in
the past to accommodate .

those with the overwhelm-.

‘ing desire to help.

For more information
on foster parenting, con-
tact the Ministry of Sociat
Services and Housing - at

638-3379 in Terrace or the.

local Terrace Foster
Parenting Association at

638-8066.

School, it’s time to go home. For these students however it's “Drama n’ Stuff” hour. A time to
play, to create while having a great time. Participants In the recent program ara: Allie Lacy,

Russell Taylor, Nada Gibson, Chad Roberts and Shane Wilson. .

Youngsters
play and —
create
while
having fun

Drama n’ Stuff was recently of-

_ fered to youngsters through
the Terrace Parks and Recrea-
tion Department. Brie Birdsell,
a five-year-old kindergarten
student, takes part in some
fun activities offered through
the program.

xx
- . _ Daniele
Drama nr’ Stuff is open to youngsters of various ages and provides participants with a chance to s
play and create, while having fun. Instructor Kim Saulnier blindfolds Ester Vennes and the game Ber qd uist

begins. Heather Wilson (left) and Julianne Vanstone join in the activities. The recent Drama n'
Stuff program is over but another session will be considered If demand is tharé said a
spokesman at the local recreatlon department. .

photos

aed

oft

Perspectives.
of B.C.

Jean Thomson displayed her
paintings in the Terrace Public
Art Gallery recently as a
member of tha “Family Four.”
Thomson's pleces Included
perspectives of areas in B.C.

in a recent family exhibition, Don Thomson displayed his paintings as one of the “Family Four"
_ in the Terrace Public Ari Gallery. Thomson has done many Individual showings, malnty in the

lower rainiand.