The Rainy River District “Best Start” Network will hold the opening celebration of the Fort Frances “Best Start” hub on Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Fort Frances Children’s Complex on Portage Avenue.
A cake-cutting ceremony will highlight the celebration at 11:30 a.m.
The “Best Start” hub is a welcoming place where families with young children can explore a variety of early learning programs during drop-in or scheduled groups.
Workshops and information are offered on parenting and child development.
On-site lending services also are available that offer a variety of books for parents and children, as well as toys and equipment.
The hub will be familiar to some families as it will be placed in the Fort Frances Family Resource Program/Ontario Early Years Centre.
Though the name of the centre will change to “Best Start” hub, the same staff will continue to offer family support programs.
Over time, the hub will be able to incorporate more services for families by strengthening their linkages with other community services and organizations.
“This is a wonderful example of what happens when you bring together people in our community who work with children and families,” said hub co-ordinator Audrey Tyrvainen.
“The ‘Best Start’ hub is a place where families can come to find the programs and services that are available in our community,” she added.
“While today marks forward movement of the ‘Best Start’ plan for Atikokan, it is also a celebration of the commitment and dedication of our community partners to ensure the ‘best start’ for all children,” echoed Donna Cutler, who chairs the “Best Start” Network.
Families and other members of the community are invited to join the celebration and tour the hub. There will be plenty of family activities, refreshments, and giveaways.
For more information about the celebration, or “Best Start” hub services and programs, call 274-8588.
Fort Frances Times
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