Helping Parents in a Pandemic
2020 has been quite a year with many challenges, changes and innovations! We are happy to report that while we had to close our doors for a few months with the lockdown, we were able to pivot quickly by using our online platforms to support families virtually. At the same time, we started to establish enhanced health and safety protocols and make the necessary upgrades to our centre so that we could be ready to safely welcome back families into our space. This quick response to COVID-19 allowed us to reintroduce toy lending through curbside pick-up in June, and by August, our team was offering playgroups outdoors in forests and parks, and we were able to reopen the playroom on September 1.
The fact is we still have a lot of work to do. Families’ lives have been disrupted by COVID-19. Parents have been understandably overwhelmed by the stress, uncertainty, fear and isolation brought on by the pandemic. And these emotions and exhaustion are here to stay until we beat this virus.
Your donation will help us respond to emerging needs such as:
With limits on close contacts kept to households, families are seeking SAFE opportunities to connect, learn, and play. Parents are telling us that they feel more comfortable gathering outdoors – even in the colder months of the year when families have needed encouragement to get outside! $150 would cover the cost of a weekly wintery Stroller Walk & Talk for new mothers.
The provision of a Parent Educator to work directly with parents in crisis - offering them support and building on their strengths to help them cope – has never become so important as families self—isolate. $100 would cover 3 hours of personalized parent support coaching for a family in crisis.
We are experiencing a renewed interest in our Toy Library. In lieu of visiting the playroom, parents are creating their own early learning enriched environments at home. $50 would buy a one-year lending library membership to give a low-income family access to high-quality, intentionally sourced resources to foster early years learning at home.
Research shows that $1 invested in the early years of a child’s life can save up to $9 in future spending in the healthcare system. As well, it will ensure children grow up to be happy, healthy and caring adults.
In 2021, we must raise $30,000 to offset the costs of meeting these needs.
Every dollar counts – please be as generous as you can.
With gratitude,
Kate Placide, Board President