October 2018 at the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society

October was a fairly busy month for the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society as all our support groups have started up. Here's what happened here in Ashcroft and throughout the area!

Ashcroft Indian Band Coffee Hour

All together there are 6 groups running and the one that has continued from the summer is the Ashcroft Indian Band Coffee Hour. This group started as a Community Kitchen program, but as funding ran out BUT the need still remaining, we have chosen to continue service but instead of making a lunch together, we are providing coffee/tea and snacks.

The concept is still the same – to get together in an informal setting, building relationships and providing supports to the fire victims of 2017 wild fires. Believe it or not, many people of the Ashcroft Indian Band who were displaced because of the 2017 wild fires, will be spending their second Christmas in hotel rooms as their housing needs are still not being met.

There have been two people who are back home in their new homes – one elder and one Band member. There is one more elder, hoping to get into her new home in the next couple of weeks … but many still living in hotel rooms as they await their homes to be rebuilt.

Nobody’s Perfect Parenting program finished

One group that finished at the end of October was Nobody’s Perfect parenting program. This was a well attended group, for parents of children 0 to 5 years of age. The parents were able to have meaningful discussion with facilitators and also find support among one another as many shared same concerns as other parents. It also gave parents a much needed break away from their children for a couples as childcare was provided during the time of the program.

A New Group: Circle of Security

Another group running in the office are Circle of Security – a new program for the office. This program started in the later half of September and runs for 10 sessions. It is full now and even though it is a new program, the participants are very excited about it.

Circle of Security is a program designed to improve the developmental pathway of children and their parents. It is an evidence-based program that through 50 years of early children development research has become an attachment-based program that offers clear, individualized pathways for providing a secure relationship between parent and child.

Women’s Wellness, Master’s Group, and Coffee Hour

The other 3 programs running in the office are the Women’s Wellness Circle, Masters’ Group, and Coffee Hour in the Office open for all community members to attend.

If you have any questions about the groups, please call the office and talk to either Sherry or Yoriko.

Non-Violent Communication Workshop with District Rotary Club

South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society partnered with Ashcroft and District Rotary Club to offer a Non-Violent Communication Workshop on October 12, 13 and 26th. It was very well attended and had people on a waitlist!

This workshop is designed to teach and give opportunity for participants to practice effective communication skills and uses one of Rotary’s 6 areas of focus – peace and conflict resolution. And the facilitator, Leslie Williamson, provided the participants with opportunity to learn, practice and use compassionate communication skills.

Interior Saving’s Moonlight Movie Night

Also this month was Interior Saving’s Moonlight Movie Night Drive-In Movie!! Since the Moonlight Movie Night this summer was cancelled twice – once because of the smokey air and one because of the rain, Interior Savings brought in a Drive-In Movie.

The local Interior Savings Credit Union contacted us at SCEFS and asked if we would like to be the beneficiary of their event and of course we said YES!

The Drive-In movie was on October 27th and was a very successful event! Thank you Interior Savings Credit Union for this fabulous community event but also for having us benefit from this great event.

Upcoming Events

November 5 & 19 – Ashcroft Indian Band Coffee Hour
November 7 & 21 – Ashcroft and Area Food Bank Days (12noon – 2:30pm)
November 8 & 22 – Office Coffee Hour for Community Members (1 – 2pm)
November 9 – Legal Services Society Worker in the office from 9 – 11am; please call for an appointment
November 13 – CRS Christmas Hamper Applications will be out; can be filled out at our office
November 25 – Toys for Joys Pancake Breakfast (9 – 11:30am at St. Alban’s Hall)