Three incredible programs aimed at every age from infancy to adult have come together to form the Community Resource Centre in Sechelt.
The centre sits behind the Shell station on Cowrie Street in the old library building and once inside you can access a multitude of services from the Child Care Resource and Referral program, the Chatelech/Sechelt Community School and the Sunshine Coast Women's Resources Society.
The three non-profit groups came together in the new space in December of last year thanks to tremendous volunteer support that included an all-night painting and construction party the weekend before Christmas.
"This is such a wonderful community story. Most of the work done in the space was done by volunteer work though we had some contractors come in to do the plumbing, framing and electrical. But after that a huge volunteer army came in and we had all the work done and the space ready to be used in just 20 days. That's amazing," said Heather Gordon, coordinator of the Chatelech/Sechelt Community School programs.
She said the sense of community spirit has filled the new centre and all of the programs, which used to run in separate spaces, run even better now that they are together.
"The synergies of being in the same place are tremendous. We're already seeing it and all the boxes haven't even been unpacked yet," Gordon said.
When you enter the front door of the Community Resource Centre you'll find a welcoming space complete with couch, chairs and coffee table. There are stacks of resources to be read or borrowed and computer stations for those who need the use of them.
In the back of the space the Childcare Resource and Referral program is bustling with activity while parents, educators and child care workers borrow activity boxes, car seats, cribs, toys and books.
"Basically we say if we don't have it we'll build it or make it or provide it some way. Just give us a week," said Jan Miettinen, coordinator of the Childcare Resource and Referral program.
The program also has art supplies for sale at excellent prices that anyone can take advantage of.
The program was originally started in 2001 to help daycares on the Coast get set up without spending thousands on baby furniture and activities, but it has since grown to service anyone who has or works with children up to age 12.
People can buy a yearly membership for $25 to take advantage of all the program has to offer and membership has its privileges.
For example if you are a member and need to borrow a car seat the cost for a week would be just $2.50 compared to $5 for a non-member.
But perhaps their most notable service is that of matching children with childcare spaces available on the Coast.
"We have a lot of people who come to us to try to find child care when they go back to work. It's difficult because there are not that many spaces for children under three available on the Coast," said Miettinen.
Her program combats that problem on two fronts: providing a list of available spaces on the Coast and helping new day care facilities become established locally.
This Child Care Resource and Referral program is aimed at children 12 and under but teenagers are well served by the Chatelech/Sechelt Community School program, which Gordon coordinates.
"Our mandate is to serve the students of Sechelt's secondary and elementary schools and that includes offering all of Sechelt some programs of value," said Gordon.
For example Gordon coordinates a summer camp for students at Davis Bay Elementary School and she is currently working on a virtual adventure gaming day with a student who wants to offer the activity.
She also coordinates the snack programs for all the schools on the Coast and she works with young people on issues like drugs, suicide and eating disorders.
And last but not least, the Sunshine Coast Women's Resource Society coordinated by Diane Paull offers services for all adults, male or female.
"We are open to all ages and genders although there are few men that use our services right now," said Paull.
Her program provides Internet use for community members, the use of a phone and fax machine, an accountant to prepare simple tax returns, legal aid, a lending library and free legal clinics every other Thursday.
She also organizes a potluck lunch once a month and the ever-popular Spring Forth weekend each year.
Paull's most recent project is training to provide smoking cessation workshops which she hopes to have up and running by the end of this month.
"If you have a problem we want to help you solve it. This is really a connecting place. For example one woman came in looking for a place to live and another came in a bit later looking for a roommate so we matched them up. Things like that happen all the time here. Everyone wants to help and we work together to get things done," said Paull.
She says this is really a good news story for the three groups that have come together to form the Community Resource Centre in Sechelt.
All were experiencing funding cuts and lack of available space to operate last year, but everyone worked together to find a solution.
For more information on the Community Resource Centre contact Paull at 604-885-4088.
