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Family Futures employees celebrated 25 years of community service at a barbecue on Wednesday. (Joe Bexson/paNOW Staff)
Family Futures

Family Futures celebrates 25 years of service

Jun 19, 2019 | 3:13 PM

Every year in Prince Albert, Family Futures provides ongoing and crisis support services to more than 300 pregnant women and families to enhance their health and well-being.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of their program.

“Our outreach has had a huge impact on families in our city and we’re going to be around for a long time to continue the work that we do,” Donna Strauss, executive director, said.

The organization held a barbecue for the public on Wednesday to celebrate its accomplishments. Family Futures originated in 1994 as the Child Mother Futures Program. It was guided by a management committee made up of the YWCA, Catholic Family Services and the Prince Albert Community Pregnancy Support Program. In 2002, the organization grew enough to become incorporated as an independent non-profit corporation.

“We’re celebrating 25 years of hundreds and hundreds of families that we have supported,” Strauss said. “What makes us strong is that they tell each other about our program and that’s how they come to be involved with us.”

Family futures is a voluntary program and the participants are largely self referred. There are no costs associated with prenatal outreach worker home visits, dietitian services, emergency and crises services or other programs.

“Whether it’s their finances or their housing, relationships or addictions, we assist them with whatever is going on in their lives during their pregnancy so at the end of the day that baby is coming home to the best home possible,” she said.

The organization runs a milk program. Last year, members handed out 14,000 litres of milk to families. They also operates three licensed childcare centres in Prince Albert. Two of those centres care for infants – a service not usually provided in other daycares. Other free services for participants include income tax assistance, access to laundry facilities and a used maternity and baby clothing depot.

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On Twitter: @princealbertnow

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