FAMILY GATHERING

A conference on the nature of families and their
role in the community to be held in Terrace March
26 has more than 100 pre-registered participants,
some from as far away as Atlin. The forum is part of
a province-wide series of workshops entitled "Com-
munity challenges: Strategies to strengthen families",
sponsored by the B.C. Council for the Family.

Instead on focusing on strategies to intervene
and support families after difficulties have been
identified, this forum looks to ways communities can
create supportive and positive environments for
families. Anyone with an interest in families —
volunteers, service providers, professionals and
parents (biological, adoptive, foster, single parents),
grandparents, teens, community elders — is invited
to attend and share ideas and experiences. The major
objective of the forum will be to explore community
development approaches which help to build and
sustain strong families. —

The day-long forum in Terrace features a presen-
tation by community planner Susan Berlin on "Com-

munity empowerment and social change”, with group

discussions on how communities can strengthen

families, and working sessions on strategic planning

to put the ideas into action.
The forum is free,

with child care and

McEwan

| The Bright Spot on Highway 160 i

travel/accommodation assistance available. Partici-
pants must pre-register. Contact Tami Lundy or

Marian Rose at the B.C. Council for the Family, 1-

- 800-663-5638 toll-free. Oe

HOUSING SOCIETY

GETTING NEAR DEADLINE

A meeting last week for area residents who pay
more than 30% of their income on-rent attracted 26
renters and three representatives of the building
trades. The March 11 meeting at the Carpenters Hall
was sponsored by the Skeena Valley Cooperative
Housing Society, which is currently applying to the
B.C. Housing Management Commission for the
funding to construct 20 low-rental suites in town. —

The process of applying for funding and possible

‘sites for the housing complex were discussed at the

meeting. A questionnaire that will be used to demon-
strate the need for affordable rental units in Terrace
was distributed. a. : a
Society spokesman Lynda Bretfeld says addi-
tional questionnaires are available at the Skeena
Mall office, but the BCHMC application deadline is
April 7 and the forms must be completed before
March 28. For more information, phone Heather at
635-9088, or.in the evening, Lynda at 635-7701. -

Terrace Review — March 20, 1992