ST. PAUL - With many measures tightening up since Tuesday's provincial announcement to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Town of St. Paul FCSS department is reaching out to a few different age groups to help combat feelings of isolation.
A series of community connection kits geared at seniors, children, and young adults are going to be made available free of charge to the community.
The children's kit is aimed at youth between the ages of seven and 17. The "ditch, dig and design" kit will allow kids to create a Grinch styled Christmas tree. Materials and instructions will be available, and youth can also log into Zoom as they put their tree together. The kit is being put together by FCSS and Lakeland Family Resource.
The kit encourages families to step away from electronic devices and get their hands dirty. Trees must be reserved ahead of time by calling the FCSS office at (780) 645-5311.
A "create, heat and eat" kit is also being offered specifically for seniors. The kit allows people to make their own heat pad, and comes with ingredients to make cinnamon oats. This kit is being done by the FCSS staff. Once again, kits must be reserved by contacting the FCSS office.
A third kit, aimed at young adults who are in the post-secondary phase is also being done. The "create, snack and chat" kit will provide some of the ingredients for a charcuterie board, along with conversation starters that can be used between people of the same household, or to connect virtually.
This kit is aimed at young adults over the age of 18, and once again, kits must be reserved ahead of time.
Lynn Smid, director of the Town of St. Paul's FCSS, says that young adults have had their lives interrupted with the health measures in place, just as much as other age groups, yet they haven't been a focus for outreach.
“We realize isolation is a thing for a lot (of people)," says Smid, adding, the next few weeks will be another adjustment for everyone.
Smid believes it's important to encourage people to talk about things, other than topics associated with the pandemic. She also hopes to help create avenues for people to have positive discussions about the future.
Anyone interested in getting a kit can call the Town of St. Paul FCSS office to book a time for a safe pick-up.
