The Martensville Warman Early Years Family Resource Centre has recently become a hub for family support services, following its move from Warman high school to a new building in Martensville last fall with a grand opening in November.
The facility now hosts a vibrant center dedicated to assisting young families, guided by a team that includes both new and established staff members; Sydney Kryzanowski, Centre Coordinator, and Natasha Wright, Program Designer, along with facilitators Alexis and Abibat.
This resource centre is government funded by the provincial Ministry of Education in partnership with Prairie Spirit School Division and the YMCA and all programs are free of charge.
According to Wright, “the main focus of the centre is to operate according to four foundational pillars, each designed to address distinct aspects of family life.”
The four key pillars are:
• Early Learning: Programs for children from prenatal stages to age five.
• Family Education: Initiatives to educate families.
• Family Wellness: Support for overall family well-being. • Information and Referrals for Young Families: Providing guidance and support for families seeking assistance.
Early Learning programs cater to children from prenatal stages up to age five, focusing on developmental milestones and school readiness. Secondly, Family Education initiatives provide resources and workshops to empower parents and caregivers with essential knowledge and skills. The third pillar, Family Wellness, encompasses services and activities that support both mental and physical health for all family members. Lastly, the center offers Information and Referrals for Young Families, serving as a guide for those seeking specialized assistance or navigating local resources.
Referrals within the center begin at the request of parents who may have concerns about their child’s development or well-being. The center’s programs include sessions with professionals such as speech and language pathologists, as well as the Early Learning SIP (Early Childhood Intervention Program). They address behavioral and developmental challenges, ensuring that families receive targeted support.
Through its structured approach and dedicated programs, the centre stands as a vital resource for families in Warman, Martensville, and surrounding areas, helping to nurture healthy, educated communities.
Several programs have proven especially popular such as Tender music, Zumba, Drop-in Play, and Sip and Chat.
Kryzanowski stated that, “Attendance tends to fluctuate seasonally, with summer being slower as families are away. However, since moving to the permanent space, the center has grown in popularity, sometimes serving up to 300 families in a single month.”
Now that winter is approaching, programming will shift with the seasons. In summer, the center hosts activities in local parks. During winter, activities move indoors, and all programming takes place within the building.
Something new to the Centre is an Infant Room for families with babies and toddlers which has been very popular.
The center is generally open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM, except during professional development or monthly closure for updating themes and toys. Morning programming runs from 9 AM to 11:15 AM, and afternoon sessions from 1 PM to 4 PM. Community members are welcome throughout the day to use the center’s facilities for diaper changes or feeding their children in a safe, clean environment.
Generally, families can drop in without registering, but for special events with high interest, registration is required to maintain capacity limits. The center’s capacity is 40 people, and events may be split into sessions to accommodate more families while adhering to guidelines.
Drop by the Centre at #7 – 7 Centennial Drive North, Martensville. For more information you can email mweyfrc@ymcasaskatoon.org or call 639-398-7609. Visit their Facebook page or their website at mwfamilycentre.ca for programs they offer weekly.
ABOVE: Some of the youngsters that came out for the Anniversary celebrations got to hang out and watch Balloon Funn by Warren, who was on hand to do his magic by twisting balloons into art form.(Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)
