FCSS promotes new offerings in Barons

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Garrett Simmons
FCSS Communications

Family and Community Support Services has a new presence in Barons.
Last month, FCSS hosted an open house at the new FCSS digs located inside the Barons’ Senior Drop-in Centre at 129 Main Street. 

And according to Kaitlynn Weaver, Outreach Services Supervisor for FCSS, the space will give the organization a lot more options in terms of offering programming. 

“We are so excited about FCSS Fridays in Barons! We’ll have FCS programming in Barons on Fridays that are available for any resident,” she said. 

That’s just one new initiative in the community that November’s open house sought to highlight. 

“We were just trying to get people to come say hello, learn about FCSS and also see that we’re in a new location,” said Weaver. “The space is a bit more accessible for the community since there are no stairs to get in.” 

Being right in the heart of things in downtown Barons, the new FCSS location will allow the organization to enhance its services. 

“That includes counselling and newcomer services,” said Weaver. “We also have our Early Childhood programs, Parent Education, Youth Services, and Senior Services.” 

Weaver added Early Childhood programming was what FCSS was known for in Barons for years.

“After hearing about more needs in the community and gaps in the community, we decided that it was time to relaunch our services to remind folks that we are available to them in any capacity,” she said, and added the FCSS Friday presence in Barons will help fill those gaps. “By having staff there every Friday, people know that’s when they can come and reach out for some support for whatever they might need, or just pop in and say hello.” 

Stay and Play is offered from 9:30-11:30 a.m., to help kick things off every Friday. 

“And then after that, we’re basically just open,” said Weaver. “We have senior services staff who can help with paperwork and connect seniors to different supports and resources, including benefits.” 

Staff can help book counselling appointments, provide assistance during tax time and offer a wide variety of services. 

“It’s a bit open-ended but once we have the understanding of the needs and gaps in the community, then we can start scheduling different programs,” said Weaver. “One thing we’ve already heard a lot about is they want intergenerational programs – youth and senior programs where people can connect and learn a little bit about each other.” 

The centre also features a kitchen space for making coffee and large windows with access to tons of sunlight. 

“It’s just a really welcoming space that honestly reminds me of being in your grandparent’s house,” said Weaver. “It’s really cozy. It’s just a very welcoming space and we’re so grateful to be able to borrow it.” 

Brenda Christianson, treasurer of the Seniors’ Centre, noted it’s certainly a positive that the building will see a little more use through the FCSS partnership, and added she hopes young people also utilize the facility.

“This is a great place for teens to hang out,” she said. “We have the pool table, board games and they would be supervised.” 

Jody Perry, the centre’s secretary, hopes the partnership with FCSS will bring seniors and youth together in meaningful ways.

“A lot of seniors in Barons are really, really lonely. They sit at home and we have a few seniors who can barely get out of their houses. It would be great for them to come out and hang out with the kids on Fridays with FCSS.” 

Perry added the opportunities are endless for intergenerational collaboration. 

“I would like to see teens out and about with the community. I worry about them because they don’t have much to do and some of them have been getting into trouble because they’re bored.” 

For more information about FCSS programs and services in Barons, please visit http://www.fcss.ca or contact Petra DeBow at (493) 795-3328.