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.