Skip to content

Provincial organization recognizes Family Place volunteer

Claudia Winter receives award from BC Association of Family Resource Programs
family place
FAMILY SUPPORT: [From left] Mitzi Jones, Kyla Banack with Isaac Banack, and Family Place program facilitator Bethany Browne congratulate Family Place volunteer Claudia Winter on her Catalyst of Change recognition award. Diana Amundsen [right] with Leif Amundsen, was also on hand to congratulate Winter. Ionatan Waisgluss photo

A local family drop-in centre volunteer is being recognized by a provincial not-for-profit organization that supports and promotes community-based family-resource programs.

Claudia Winter was presented with a Catalyst of Change recognition award by BC Association of Family Resource Programs for her volunteerism at Family Place.

“Claudia has been here a long time,” said Bethany Browne, one of five program facilitators at Family Place. “She’s been so consistent, coming in twice a week, and the kids are always happy to see her.”

Browne said the awards recognize individuals who have made a profound difference in the lives of families and their community.

Winter, who has been a volunteer at Family Place for more than 12 years, said she has always enjoyed spending time with children.

“I call it my medicine,” said Winter. “I’m a big kid at heart, so it’s good for me, too.”

Since she started volunteering, Winter said she has seen Family Place grow over the years. The centre now offers more programs and the larger size of the new location has also been beneficial in serving more families, she added.

“The centre offers a lot to the community,” said Winter. “It’s open four days a week and families really enjoy it here.”
Regular visitor Diana Amundsen said she considers the centre a great place for children to meet others their own age and for parents to meet as well.

"I usually come twice a week," said Amundsen. "It's one of the first places I came to in Powell River. I was researching the town and needed to know what I could do with my three kids."
Amundsen said she makes use of circle time and other activities at the centre.

"It's a good place to have a nice sit-down," she said.
Another regular, Maenyn Forsyth, said she attends the centre at least three times a week.

“I like that I can go there and my child can have a snack and play with her friends,” said Forsyth. She added she was happy to hear about Winter’s recognition.

“Claudia is great with the kids,” said Forsyth.

Forsyth said she appreciates that Family Place feels safe and non-judgmental. Having other parents to talk to is also beneficial and supportive, she added.

“It’s not all about moms; there are dads and grandparents, and all kinds of parental figures,” she said. “It’s a good place to see many different parenting styles.”

Family Place offers regular parent-child drop-in hours and a variety of programs and services for children.

“Every child is different,” said Winter. “I’ve seen some of the kids who come here grow from a baby to a teenager.”

Browne said volunteers are an important part of keeping Family Place vibrant and the centre is a place where families can meet, gain a sense of community and find support in raising children.

For more information, go to prepsociety.org/familyplace.