Imagine
a Safe Space for Kids and their Folk:
The Central Okanagan Family Hub
by: KCR Community Resources
Imagine
a Safe Space for Kids and their Folk:
The Central Okanagan Family Hub
by: KCR Community Resources
Help Families be resilient, healthy and well-connected
Imagine
a Safe Space for Kids and their Folk:
The Central Okanagan Family Hub
by: KCR Community Resources
Help Families be resilient, healthy and well-connected
Imagine
Imagine being:
- a Parent, needing to find appropriate community resources
- a Newcomer, isolated and alone
- a Grandparent, raising your grandchild
- a Child, needing space to explore and grow
- a Family, needing community
Imagine an inclusive, inviting second home and a one-stop shop for supports and services that helps families to be resilient, healthy and connected to their community.
In 2020, our communities have faced incredibly difficult times and the Family Hub has pivoted, and pivoted again to serve our families in need. Because of the pandemic, vulnerable families have moved to crisis situations and once stable families are struggling and becoming fragile.
Since March of 2020, our referrals for families have increased a staggering 327%! With your support, we are addressing major issues including food security, life essential needs, housing, employment, childcare, family finances and mental health.
Thank you for being a part of supporting vulnerable kids and their parents by helping them get connected to the resources they need.
Welcome to the Central Okanagan Family Hub
A Place for Kids and their Folk
The Family Hub is a safe space for all vulnerable families that is made possible through a team effort of community partners, funders, supporters and parents working together. It was started in 2016 in response to research that identified a significant need and gap in our community. Community leaders from schools, community organizations and child-serving agencies gathered together and imagined the dream of the Family Hub, then worked together to create that space.
The Family Hub offers a barrier-free, child-friendly, welcoming and culturally inclusive space for families, with children 0-12 years of age, throughout the Central Okanagan. It addresses loneliness and isolation, fear and distress and is a haven for vulnerable families. It helps schools in addressing social issues and concerns for their at-risk families and frees the child to expand their learning opportunities because their family is supported.
"I was received like family"
Alba, a new immigrant to Canada shared that once she found the Family Hub everything changed for her.
“I was received like family. The staff are polite and take care of everyone. I feel comfortable all the time.”
Alba enjoys the Hub so much that she attends with her 2 year old to play and socialize 4-5 times per week. She has been referred to other programs to meet her family’s needs by Hub staff such as Sponsor a Family and Care Dental for free dental work for her children.
"My Roy is always happy at the Hub"
Moving from the Lower Mainland to Kelowna, Roy and his mom were isolated and lonely. His dad was at work and they had no family here. When they found the Family Hub, a world of community connections opened up for them.
“People are so kind and nice and sometimes there are donations at the Family Hub that I am grateful for. Such as books and the home made blankets and toques”, says Roy’s Mom.
Roy also accessed dental care and special literacy training through the Hub and its partners. The friendships they have made have helped settle the family and made Kelowna home. They come to the Hub a lot as there are lots of toys for Roy to play with and he never wants to leave. She says, “My Roy is always happy at the Hub.”
Imagine being a Hub Champion
Organize your own fundraiser for the Hub - it's super easy and the money you raise will help us reach our goal of $7,500.
Start your own fundraising page here or use one of our templates to get started.
You can also reach out to Dorothee at 250-763-8008 x254 or dorothee@kcr.ca to get you started and to brainstorm fun ideas.
Please also check out some of the Hub's Champions below.
Central Okanagan Foundation
"The Central Okanagan Foundation was confident in a three-year commitment for operational funds to the Hub. We see the impact the Hub is making, helping kids learn and grow when their families are supported and connected to the community."
- Cheryl Miller, Grants & Community Initiatives Director
LIFEWORKS
Family Chiropractic and Wellness
The Team at LIFEWORKS held a Family event and pledged all of their new patient fees to the Family Hub, to be able to support the positive, much need and wonderful work the Hub does. They also encouraged their food truck partner, Wicked Peach Food Co., to make a donation. Thank you to them all!
William & Associates
Thank you to Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg and Bill Schuilenberg for their support of the Family Hub. Thank you to the Ambrosi Clinic Peer Support Group for their donations to the Hub and for seeing the value of preventative supports for vulnerable families.
"Bill and I are thrilled to champion The Hub - this agency is worth supporting. The help available in this space runs from a drop-in space for parents and grandparents with Littles, to information where to find the resources needed to care for those Littles. We are totally impressed with the work this "one-stop shop" does for families in our community."
What kind of Fundraiser can you do?
The sky is the limit ... we appreciate big and small donations and your show of support. You can also build a fundraising page to help you share your message and campaign. Check out the templates for both an event or a donation campaign and you can always email us for help creating the page.
How can I build social equity?
Save some trees. Spare the oceans. Let your clients know you are donating to the Family Hub as your give back to the community. You are making an impact of strengthening families by supporting kids and connecting parents, allowing them to be healthy and resilient.
How can I find out more about the Hub?
We are glad you asked - you can visit the Hub online at www.cofh.ca or better yet, please get in touch and we can give you a tour or the Hub. Contact Katelin at 250-763-8008 x130 or katelin@kcr.ca.
increase in families connecting and accessing services
referrals to 35+ community services
learning opportunities for kids and their parents
meals provided for families in addition to 100+ referrals to address food security
