The province’s decision not to continue funding Parent Link programs impact more than just the kids.
There’s a ripple affect.
Meagan MacEachern The MacEachern Mindset
Think of seniors who are visited by the young ones – that’s coordinated through the Parent Link Centre.
Families get together for play dates and to socialize over coffee, kids meet others with interests similar to their own, even if that does include putting nearly anything and everything into their mouths.
As a soon-to-be parent for the first time, I was heartbroken when I heard that the Parent Link Centre would no longer be funded, which could result in a dip in programming, or worse.
What makes this an even tougher blow, is how often I talk to my husband about taking our children to the centre and how it would benefit social development.
But sadly, my child will be one-day shy of seeing the benefits of the programs the centre offers. While I’m due on April 1, 2020, funding for the centre ends March 31, 2020.
I‘m quite aware that it’s extremely unlikely that I will be trudging my mere one-day-old to the centre for programming, but that doesn’t make this news any easier to swallow.
I hope municipalities will consider stepping in, whether that’s in the form of letters to the province, or just enough funding to keep these valuable resources alive.
This isn’t just for my sake, but for my child’s, and all of the other families that are being impacted by this decision.
The free programs offered at the Parent Link Centre help mould future generations into social and intelligent little humans, and I so looked forward to the days when I could take my own little one.
As someone who spends quite a bit of time at both the Cold Lake and Bonnyville centres covering various events, I can tell you that this news will be felt by hundreds, if not thousands, of local families.
For the full story on the province’s decision and the response from local Parent Link Centres involved , see Page 1.
