Expanded space in a bright new location is paying dividends for the staff of Lacombe's Family Resource Network.
Staff, kids, families, and volunteers are settling into the new digs located at 4876A - 46 St. (south of the Tim Hortons)
They had been operating out of #4, 4725 - 49B St. since the spring of 2020, said Karen White, the Network’s coordinator.
The Family Resource Network (FRN) focuses on prevention and early intervention services for families and youth ages zero to 18 years of age, according to their website..
"Funded by Alberta’s Ministry of Children's Services, FRN believes that as long as a child is safe, they can achieve their greatest potential within their family unit. FRN educates parents and caregivers about child development, provides social supports, and offers coping and problem-solving skills in order to build resiliency and success within families and communities."
Meanwhile, an open house at the new facility - which is double the size of their former spot - was held in July during Lacombe Days, and now with programming kicking in for the fall, the full benefits of the new site are really coming to light, said White.
For starters, there is a second floor at the new location, complete with a full kitchen.
"It's very good for our staff. They have more space, including four bathrooms instead of just one, plus our kitchen upstairs, and a sitting area down here on the main floor. We also had off-site storage before, but now we have everything onsite which makes a real difference for us."
The second floor in particular is very open and spacious, complete with lots of windows.
"The kids love it, especially as soon as they hear the train," White said. "They grab stools and look out the windows!"
The Family Resource Network — which serves all of Lacombe County — offers, as mentioned, programs geared towards early childhood development, child and youth development, parent education, family support, and home visitation, according to the web site.
"Using evidence-based and informed models, FRN employs a continuum of prevention and early intervention services to ensure that parents, caregivers, and children receive the care and tools they need to create strong family units, foster a sense of belonging to a larger community, and thrive."
Registration is required for most programs, which are again available to residents outside of Lacombe as well, including the communities of Alix, Mirror, Bentley, Blackfalds, and Clive.
Meanwhile, the network launched in what couldn’t have been a more challenging time — the spring of 2020 — early into the pandemic shutdown.
Around that time the provincial government had closed down the Parent Link program and then rolled out the Family Resource Network as a revamped organization, said White. It falls under the umbrella of McMan Youth, Family, and Community Services Association.
To keep up to date with the Family Resource Network, find them on Facebook. For more information about programming and special events, call 403-896-3408 or email karen.white@mcmancentral.ca.
