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August 2021 Vulcan County Family Resources

Some Upcoming Events in our County:

July 28 -31 Home town Olympian!
Keyara Wardley, is off to Tokyo Japan to take part in the 2021 Olympics in Women’s Rugby 7’s.  There is a banner of support for her at the Bell Park downtown Vulcan.  The banner will be up on weekdays from 9-4.  We will post on there when her games will be aired and will have community viewing at the Vulcan Lodge Hall, see the attached poster for times.  Go Keyara Go!!

July 31-August 1 Clever Scoops Anniversary Weekend Supporting the Champion FCSS, 5km walk/run register at Clever Scoops registration Form attached, Coloring Contest, Dunk Tank, Garage Sale in the Legion basement , and a water balloon fight, see poster for details.

Aug. 1 Heather Highland dance is open to register your children contact Susan at 403-485-3660 or email [email protected]

Aug 3-6 Pre-school Tumbling Tots Ages 4-8 Register on the website www.townofvulcan.ca/recreation or call 403-485-6659. See Summer Day Camps Poster.

Aug.  6 – 8 – Milo One Pitch Tournament register with Jessy at 403-485-1451 or Deanna at 403-485-8384. See Poster attached.

Aug. 8 – Milo BBQ – Show “N Shine will be a “Show” only this year.  You are welcome to bring to your vehicles for people to enjoy looking at, but there will be no awards.  Vehicles should arrive by noon. Poster attached.

Aug. 13-15 – Spock Days – Parade, Pancake Breakfast, FCSS Great Re-Connect BBQ, Family Treasure Hunt, Family Games, Fireworks, Vul-Con and Trekkie BBQ.

Aug. 13-14 – Southern Alberta Music Festival – Aspen Crossing https://www.aspencrossing.com/events/

Aug. 14 – Bike4Vets – Poker Run Vulcan Legion. See Poster.

Aug. 16 – 20 Youth Creative Camp. Ages 7-11. Register with www.townofvulcan.ca/recreation or call 403-485-6659. See Summer Day Camps Poster.

Aug. 17 Mala Bead Bracelet Making & Breathing Techniques for registrants 12 and older.  Drinks and Snacks provided.  To register, call Marsha 403-396-0791 or email at [email protected]. See poster attached.

Aug 18 KIDS Mala Bead Bracelet Making & Breathing Techniques for parents and their children.  Drinks and Snacks provided.  To register, call Marsha 403-396-0791 or email at [email protected]. See poster attached.

Sept 3rd Mossleigh 40th Annual Labour Day Classic Slowpitch Tournament call 403-809-0444 to register.  Poster attached with more information.

Carmangay Library Children’s programs and activities in Carmangay all summer long. See poster attached.

August Wednesday’s

Kids Day Out in Arrowwood. 10:00am-3pm. Lunch included. Games, activities and crafts for kids 5-13. Must register with FCSS Get-A-Way Youth Centre at 403-485-6033 or email [email protected]. See poster and registration form.

Rainbow Literacy Little Adventurers for parents with children 2-5 and Big Adventurers for Parents with children 6-9 Call 403-485-3107 to register.  Poster Attached.

Rainbow Programs

August Thursday’s –

Kids Day Out in Milo. 10:00am-3pm.  Lunch included. Games, activities and crafts for kids 5-13. Must register with FCSS Get-A-Way Youth Centre at 403-485-6033 or email [email protected]. See poster and registration form.

Greater Foothills Family Centre – many programs in-person and online. Play in the Park in Vulcan and Milo.  See poster for more details.

Swimming Pools are open for the Summer! 

Champion 587-793-0680 or follow Champion Swimming Pool on Facebook for updates.

Available Rental Times

August 1st 4-5

August 8th 1-2

August 15th 1-2,4-5

Vulcan Lions Swimming Pool is open. See attached Pool schedule.  Call for Rental Availability

Go to Camp as a Family – SABC is opening the camp for families to come together and take part in all the activities together.  And they do all the cooking for you. RV spots and cabins available.  And the best part is they do all the cooking.  Sponsored spots are available for families who would otherwise not be able to afford camp.  Go to https://www.sabc.ca/family-camp/family-camp-registration/  to register!

Support Groups

Tuesday’s  

Prenatal Support Group – Families Matter 6-8pm online by Zoom. For women who are experiencing anxiety/depression. Your well-being matters too! Tuesday’s 6-8pm via Zoom. Register at www.familiesmatter.ca or 403-205-5194 or 403-205-5180.

Wednesday’s 

SMART Recovery – Addiction Support Meeting.  7pm at Vulcan FCSS. Call Beth at 403-485-1054 for information.

Every Tuesday and Thursday 

AA – Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Contact Gary at 403-485-5818 Meetings are Tues. and Thurs. 8pm

Al-Anon Family Group – meetings as needed. Contact Betty W. at 403-652-8285 for information.

Resources 

CES – Community Education Services Workshops for parents, caregivers, and professionals. http://community.hmhc.ca/sessions/?p=all

Caregiver Education Workshops – Parenting, Mental Health, Self-Regulation, Back to School Readiness, Junior High Jitters and more. See poster.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

See the attached document with hyperlinks to the postings!

Job Postings

Michelle Ganchar

Rural Reaching Home Program Coordinator

[email protected]

Vulcan and Region Family and Community Support Services

Phone: 403-485-2192

Email: [email protected]

July 27, 2021 in Community, Culture, Education, News, Services, Uncategorised, Village News

Vulcan County Family Resources- Dec 2020

Posters 

Youth Centre Space open for Bookings as a safe space for all ages

Family Literacy Programs – NOTE most of these programs are currently being offered online. In-person classes are suspended.

Greater Foothills Family Programs for December – Curiosity Kids, Messy Make and Take, Triple P Parenting and more.

Greater Foothills Family Centre December Programs

Vulcan Recreation Programs and Facilities Notice

Food Drive – Vulcan County Wide – Fire departments will come right to your house if you pre-book

Angel Tree for the Vulcan Regional Food Bank – Thank you to everyone who has adopted families and individuals for Christmas Hampers, almost all the tags on the tree at Vulcan Bell Park have been claimed.

Lomond Lions Food Drive at S&S Grocery Store

Holiday Train at Home Dec, 12 – The 22nd annual #CPHolidayTrain is back. And this year, its first—and only—stop is your home! Virtual concert via Facebook Live on December 12 at 6 MT to raise money for food banks across North America. Performances by Serena Ryder, The Trews, JoJo Mason, Logan Staats and Kelly Prescott.

Career and Employment Services – MCG Career Remote

Message from Vulcan Medical Clinic

Write to Santa – He’ll write back!

Champion Gingerbread Houses-

   The Champion FCSS has a limited number of gingerbread house kits available! Once completed, they will be put on display at the

   Champion Pioneer Club. Please message below, or call the Village Office (897-3833) if you’d like to kit!

Vulcan Snow Angel Program – FCSS will take the names of those willing to volunteer and those who need help with snow removal.  Or just be an Angel and help a neighbour out!

Canada Benefit Programs

Canadian Benefit Programs-NOV26

Service Canada Outreach Brochure

Service Canada Community Outreach Brochure

Free Virtual Nutrition Tour

Virtual Nutrition Tour_Poster (1)

How Racism can affect Child Development

How Racism can affect child development Infographic_2020

Covid care kits

16th Annual Milo Family “Virtual” Christmas – December 1 – 31, 2020
Merry Christmas everyone! Since the Milo community can’t get together to have our annual Christmas celebration, I thought we could share our Christmas spirit online together! In a similar format to the Milo Facebook Fall Fair, below are categories to share our holiday pictures, videos and greetings to help lift everyone’s spirits. Add your photos/videos as comments to the discussions below.
1. Christmas Decorations – show us your indoor and outdoor decorations or lights. Try to outdo your neighbours!
2. Christmas Tree – let’s see who has the best looking tree this year! We put all the work into putting the tree up, we might as well share our work.
3. Holiday Greetings – share your family photos and well wishes with the Milo Community.
4. Food – yes, my favourite! Show off your Christmas baking, cooking and goodies!
5. Humorous – share what made you laugh this season. That holiday baking flop? The horribly wrapped present? The cat in the Christmas tree? Whatever made you chuckle, we would love to laugh with you (or at you ;-))!

Christmas Shopping 

Some local Black Friday sales will be happening all week in Vulcan.

Milo Library has some local vendors and artisans’ items available in December.

Arrowwood Library has a shop local market available all December.

SABC had to cancel their Christmas Market but a vendor parade is planned check out their Facebook page for info.  They also have truckloads of firewood for sale.

 

Resources 

Family Ties Association Clinical team can provide subsidized counselling to Vulcan County residents.  This service is available through Zoom.  If you do not have computer and internet access, an office at FCSS can be booked at 403-485-2192.  Call Family Ties and ask to speak to Clinical Intake 403-320-8888.

Mental Health & Wellness

Beverley Edwards  Self referrals welcome.

Provides counselling for children ages 6 and over, adolescents, adults and seniors.

Phone for an intake appointment.  403-485-3356

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.   Vulcan Community Health Centre

 

Al-Anon Family Group—meetings as needed. Contact Betty W. at 403-652-8285 for information.

 

Calgary’s Child Magazine always has some great articles and fun activity ideas.

https://www.calgaryschild.com/

Read about the survey results from The Covid-19 Parent Stress and Resilience Survey was assembled to learn about the experiences of parents and families in the Lethbridge area as they respond to the ongoing realities of Covid-19. This survey is a follow-up to the initial Covid-19 Isolation Parent Survey Building Brains Together conducted in the spring of 2020. The data from this survey is being used to make recommendations regarding supports and services during the ongoing pandemic and in future crisis situations.   Although the data was collected in Lethbridge, there are likely similar concerns in your communities.

https://www.buildingbrains.ca/stress-and-resilience-survey

Tips for the Month 

    1. Be forgiving.  Of yourself and others.  People are short, saying things they wouldn’t normally say, are quicker to upset, maybe more withdrawn, sensitive or more defensive.  Remember that even when things look okay on the surface, adults and children are dealing with the added stress from the pandemic on top of whatever else they would normally be dealing with.   Whether it is financial stress, loss of activities, added work, no work, Christmas pressures, feeling confined at home and especially being separated from our social connections and supports, people have up and down moments that do not define them.  Rather than responding to someone’s negativity with your own anger, take a cool down period and imagine that they are having a hard day and come back with compassion rather than anger.  Grant yourself that same compassion too. Learn about Ambiguous loss at www.psychologytoday.com/
    2. Make the effort to do something you love (that is still on the approved list). Drop whatever you are doing and go outside for a walk while there is a beautiful sunset.  Book the arena for skating or find a swimming pool taking private bookings. Enjoy some pet therapy if you have an animal.  Play a silly board game with your family, make it mandatory even for the ones who think they’re too cool.  Create a playlist of light and cheerful songs.  Do something artistic.  Make some food that that feeds your soul and savour it slowly.  Ask your spouse to keep the kids busy for an hour or two so you can have some alone time.  Return the favour.
    3. Do a project.  Tackling and finishing a project can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that is worth the work.  Just be honest with yourself.  Don’t take on more than you can handle.  If you can trade in a bit of screen time to finish a job that has been hanging over your head you will feel lighter when it is done.  December’s project might just be Christmas.  And remember, if it is overwhelming already, you don’t have to invite the Elf on a Shelf back.  He might be too busy working overtime in the Elf Covid Recovery Centre!
    4. Limit screen time, exercise and eat healthy.  All the things we know we should be doing.   They are still true during a pandemic and still true at Christmas time! If you eat lots of vegetables and have a balanced diet, it will fuel your mind and body and help you fight sickness.  Exercise helps you feel better physically and mentally.  If you attend to your mental health you are more likely to eat healthy and exercise.  If you have too much screen time you are more likely to eat poorly, exercise less and feel worse mentally.  Start with small goals and challenge yourself to improving one good habit at a time.  Start a positive cycle today.

Participaction

December can be a cold, busy month – but making time to move your body is KEY to combating stress and being at your best. We invite you to take our annual 12 Days of Fitmas Challenge – where every day from December 1st to 12th we will provide an activity that contributes to your overall health and wellness (like moving more, reducing screen time, and drinking more water). It’s that simple. You’ll see how a little effort can go a long way into helping you move a bit more each day. #EverythingGetsBetter #StayActiveStayHealthy #12DaysOfFitmas

Charity

THE VULCAN PALLIATIVE CARE COMMITTEE

Will be accepting donations to decorate for The TREE of HOPE

Your $10 donation can be made at the Vulcan Hospital front desk in memory of your loved one that has passed away. A decoration with your loved one’s name will be added to the tree. All money raised stays in our county and is used to assist families with palliative needs.

Don’t forget about other local charities on Giving Tuesday:

Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society

Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation

Kidsport – Town of Vulcan Recreation

Vulcan Regional Food Bank Society

Rowan House Emergency Shelter

Vulcan Lions Club Recreation Fund

Vulcan Healthcare Auxillary

Vulcan Daycare Society

Vulcan and District Historical Society

Local Churches who do amazing charitable work all year.

 

A little laugh for the Day:

-I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high.  She looked surprised.

-Yesterday I ate a clock.  It was very time consuming.  Especially when I went back for seconds.

– My doctor just informed me that I have color-blindness.  It came out of the purple.

-I was selling my dirtbike and the buyer asked, “How low can you go?” I replied, “Well not less than 2kmph or you will tip over!”

-I asked my 91-year-old father, “Dad, what were your good old days?” His thoughtful    reply: “When I wasn’t good, and I wasn’t old.”

-A woman in labour suddenly shouted, “Shouldn’t! Wouldn’t! Couldn’t! Didn’t! Can’t!” “Don’t worry,” said the doctor. “Those are just contractions.”

-There is a new movie coming out called “Constipation.”

-Really? 

It is waiting to be released.

-What do you call a parade of rabbits hopping backwards?

A receding hare-line.

A Little More on Christmas this Year

There are traditions and festivals all over the world in the wintertime which are centered around lighting up the darkness – local firework, electric light, candle procession and lantern festivals, and (of course) Hanukah, Diwali and Christmas, to name only a few.  Embrace the season of light this year and make the most of putting up your lights and decorations if it brings you joy, or just walk or drive around in the evening to enjoy the lights others have put into their displays.  Just like spring and summer when people covered windows and sidewalks with encouraging messages, let the light bring some cheer during a difficult year.  At home use some of the candles sitting in drawers, make mood lighting during dinner, or bundle up to enjoy a backyard fire pit time.

  How the Grinch stole Christmas (I borrowed this from some wise person in Lomond on Facebook who made this analogy of Covid being the Grinch that tried to steal Christmas)

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

It came without packages, boxes, or bags!”

He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.

Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”

So, this Christmas let’s show that Grinch! Let’s light up the town!

Regardless of where you live, anywhere in the world. Put up some lights. If you’re in an apartment light up your balcony, if you own a business light it up. If you’re up the meadow on a farm light up the barn. Decorate your house, yard, whatever you have! Put them up early and leave them up later. We can go for a walk or a drive after dinner and see the bright lights of Christmas!”

Lori Gair
Community Liaison
Vulcan and Region Family and Community Support Services
Phone: 403-485-2192 ext. 103
December 7, 2020 in Community, Culture, Education, News, Services, Uncategorised, Village News

Vulcan County Resources – September 2020

Employment Opportunities
Food and Delivery News
  • Carmangay has a new restaurant Villages Bistro 403-423-0324
  • Champion has a new coffee/ice cream shop next to the Library Clever Scoops
  • Cosmic Canteen – Is open at the Vulcan Country Inn for supper.\
  • You can order meals from Southern Alberta Bible Camp  www.sabc.ca/daves-meals/
  • Stone Soup Meals are still available, frozen meals from local caterers for frontline staff and first responders.  Nominate someone today, they can be delivered from the Vulcan Regional Food Bank
  • Meals in Minutes delivers meals anywhere in the County.  See the attached menu. (August 2020 Menu)
  • Thursday afternoons – Farmer’s Market at the Vulcan Legion
  • Arrowwood Farmer’s Market – Check the Village Facebook page to find out date and time.
  • Geri Budd delivers fresh produce to Vulcan many afternoons. See the attached list of produce (Spunky Gardener)
  • Champion Pop-Up Market – Sat., Aug. 29th -local artists, crafters & entrepreneurs.  Near the Clever Scoops Ice Cream Shop

 

Early Learning Program – will run a 3 and 4-year-old play based program in Vulcan.  Call your local school in any village to find out registration information for preschool and kindergarten.

Should my Child Attend School?

Tai Chi – Begins Sept. 8. Must register at townofvulcan.ca/recreation or call 403-485-6659

 

Seniors Helping Seniors – For those in need of a helping hand with yard work, minor carpentry, odd jobs around your home let us know. We are there to help those in need.

 

 

 

Service Canada Ready to Help

Service Canada Ready to help Businesses
 Service Canada Ready to help Seniors
 Service Canada Ready to help Youth

 

Tax Information

File your 2019 taxes before September to keep getting your benefit payments

Canadians who receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST/HST) credit need to complete their 2019 tax returns as soon as possible.Filing as soon as possible will ensure you receive the right amount and that your payments continue beyond September 2020.  Unsure about your eligibility to receive the CCB or the GST/HST credit? Please verify your status via My Account or MyBenefits CRA mobile app.

 

Need help filing?  Through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program community organizations are hosting free tax clinics where volunteers file tax returns for those who are eligible. Vulcan and Region FCSS can help you if you have a simple tax return with the Volunteer Tax Program.

File online  If you’re entitled to a tax refund, you will receive it faster when you file online. Use the CRA NETFILE and Refile services or Find a certified tax software you can use to file online, some of which are free.

Payment deadlines  The payment deadline for any tax amount owing on your 2019 income has been extended to September 30, 2020. Late-filing penalties or interests will not be charged if you file your return and make your payment by that date. For more information on the 2019 filing and payment deadline changes, please visit COVID-19: Income tax filing and payment deadlines.

More information and resources

You can find more information on filing your taxes and available benefits and credits:

·         Get ready to do your taxes – Helpful information to start the return filing process

·         Doing Your Taxes  – Step-by-step guide on completing your return

·         Canada child benefit

·         GST/HST credit COVID-19: Benefits, credits and financial support 

More attached posters from Service Canada

-Help for Businesses

-Help for Seniors

-Help for Youth

Krystalowich & Co shared this on Facebook about changes to CERB and EI – See the attached documents.

TRANSITION OF CERB TO EI 

The government has released details on the transition for those on CERB to EI. Special thanks to Video Tax News for providing a breakdown of the changes.   Highlights of the changes include:

– CERB is available up to September 26 and then the transition will commence on September 27

– EI insurable hours reduced to 120 hours in the 52 weeks prior to EI application

– EI minimum benefits increased to $400 weekly

– EI minimum eligible weeks increased to 26 weeks

– Canada Recovery Benefit of $400 for 26 weeks will be available for self-employed individuals and other individuals ineligible for EI

Also, it is noted that those individuals who received CERB through Service Canada may be automatically transitioned to EI, but it is not guaranteed.

The individuals who received CERB through CRA will be required to apply for EI through the usual EI online application process.

 

Donate Locally Today

The Shaw Charity Classic contributes to hundreds of thousands of children and youth across Alberta who rely on charitable organizations for support with literacy, food security, mental wellness, and much more. Organizations like Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society rely on donations and we need your support now more than ever as demand for our services continue to increase. Within the community we provide literacy programs for adult learners and children, and train facilitators to deliver programs throughout Vulcan County.  These programs are extremely beneficial for learners in their everyday lives — 97%of our adult learners demonstrated increased confidence in their skills and98% reported seeing an increase in their literacy and essential skills.

 

Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society and Shaw invite you to #ChipinforKids by texting KIDS158 to 30333 to donate $10 and help us continue to provide barrier-free educational services and literacy resources in our community. To make your generous contribution go further, Shaw will match your donation and the matched donation amount will then be matched again by the Shaw Charity Classic, up to an additional 50 per cent. Your $10 donation can grow into a donation of $30 to Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society.

 

The donations and matched contributions raised through the #ChipinforKids program will help ensure that charities like ours will be able to continue to serve Vulcan County.

If you would like to make a larger contribution to our family literacy programs through the Shaw Charity Classic fundraiser Birdies for Kids click the following link to our page:

https://shawcharityclassic.com/donate/rainbowlit/

We are pleased to announce that we are a Family Resource Network: Spoke #15 for Children’s Services within the High River and Area. Rainbow Literacy and Learning Society also delivers programming through (CALP) – the Community Adult Learning Program. These programs are funded through the Government of Alberta. For more information on our programs and learning opportunities please visit our website: www.rainbowliteracy.com
Helpful Resources

Calgary’s Child Magazine is free and online and always includes great parenting articles.  The September issue includes articles on:

-How to Manage School Anxiety: What Children Need from Us
-Raising a Reader
-How Mindfulness helps Kids Manage Stress
-Mask Wearing for Kids
-The importance of Play in a Digital World

Did you know there is a link between inflammation, child development and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and even depression and dementia?  Click on this link to read a very interesting infographic:

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/what-is-inflammation-and-why-does-it-matter-for-child-development/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=august_2020

 

-Low German Mennonite Community Resource Inventory: Responding to Covid-19 in Southern Alberta – There are number of videos Low German explaining Covid.

 

-Children’s Cottage in Calgary provides respite for parents experiencing high levels of stress or losing patience with a young one at the Crisis Nursery.  It has a 24/7 crisis line 403-233-2272.  They also run Brenda’s House for those looking for housing support if your child is already 18 years old. 403-242-8576. childrenscottage.ab.ca

Text4Hope 

Supporting Mental Health & Wellness in a Time of Stress & Isolation

Feeling stress, anxiety and depression due to the COVID-19 crisis? We can help.

The Mental Health Foundation is supporting a new Alberta Health Services program

 

Text4Hope – a free service providing three months of daily Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)–based text messages written by mental health therapists.

An Alberta-based innovation, Text4Hope is an evidence-based tool that helps people identify and adjust the negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours a pandemic might be expected to provoke.  Through a set of daily messages, people receive advice and encouragement helpful in developing healthy personal coping skills and resiliency.  Community members simply subscribe to receive ongoing supportive content. There is no cost.  The program provides one-way communication and does not replace other mental health therapies and supports. It is a helpful option for people in self-isolation who can’t access face-to-face services, as well as those in remote locations.

How to Connect

Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 to subscribe.

Text4Hope-Addiction Support and Text4Hope-Cancer Care are also available and designed to help Albertans dealing with psychological issues related to addiction and cancer issues. The expanded services are funded by the Mental Health Foundation.

Text Open2Change to 393939 to subscribe to the addiction program.

Text CancerCare to 393939 to subscribe to the cancer program.

 

Some users may be charged per text message depending on their cell phone plan with their current provider. We encourage users to check with their provider. If they are unable to sign-up due to potential costs, we encourage them to visit Help in Tough Times where free resources are available, including variety of mental health related podcasts and videos for download.

Free Audio Meditation – to help you calm your nervous system and refocus your mind on what you can control

 

Information from Alberta Health Services about COVID-19 on Prevention, Wearing Masks, Symptoms and the Difference between Covid-19 and Influenza.  Click on Prevention on the right hand menu.

 

The Art of Motivation- A Guide to helping students avoid drug problems and reach their full potential

Art of motivation is an online resource for administrators, counsellors, teachers and others who want to help students avoid drug problems and other obstacles to reaching their full potential.

September 12, 2020 in Community, Culture, Education, News, Services, Sport, Uncategorised, Village News