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Parent Support Services Society of BC
Parenting
is the most important and challenging job that most adults
undertake. Parents often feel frustrated by
the demands of raising children, even in the best of circumstances. When parents are isolated, involved in difficult
relationships, experiencing financial stress, or lack information on
child development and child-rearing techniques, they can lose control.
Parent
Support Services understands that:
• parents do not want to
hurt their children.
• behaviour
change is a long-term process.
• many parents do not know that
discipline and punishment
are two different things.
• laws and government alone do not
protect children.
Parent Support Services believes that informed, effective
parenting builds strong communities by giving young people the safety, skills and environment to create positive lives for
themselves and those around them.
Parent Support Services is a non-profit, volunteer-based
society and registered charity founded in 1974. Its mandate is to
prevent child abuse and to promote healthy relationships by supporting
parenting, families and communities.
Parent Support Services is based in Vancouver, with regional offices in Victoria, the Nanaimo
area, and Prince George.
Parent Support
Services’ programs include:
•
Parent Support Circles:
This province-wide network of self-help groups provides parents with a
safe environment in which to talk about their stress, receive support
and nurturing and learn parenting skills.
• Aboriginal
Parent Support Circles: In partnership with
Aboriginal organizations throughout the Province, Parent Support
Services supports the development of safe, community-based circles for
aboriginal parents and caregivers.
• Parent
Education Initiatives: Parent Support Services
provides coordination, support and consultation for workshops,
seminars, and courses that provide parents with the knowledge,
awareness and skills they need to become the healthiest parents
possible.
As a
volunteer-driven organization, Parent Support Services provides
hundreds of volunteers annually with:
• opportunities for personal growth in their roles as parents, spouses,
and friends.
• excellent volunteer experience to
include in applications.
• references for employment
opportunities.
Volunteer
opportunities include:
• Parent Support
Circle facilitator
• local steering committee members
• provincial board of directors.
Funding for
Parent Support Services:
• comes from the Ministry of Children and Family Development,
United Way Agencies, public gaming, memberships, foundation grants, and
private donations.
• covers administrative costs, Parent Support Circle
expenses, transportation and child-care assistance, program development
and professional training for volunteers.
Membership in Parent Support Services:
• costs $35 for individuals, $100 for agencies, and $5-35 for
active volunteers.
• includes a newsletter subscription and voting privileges at
Parent Support Services Society’s Annual General Meeting
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