August 31 is the International Overdose Awareness Day. On this day, people worldwide are encouraged to act in any way possible to end overdoses. This is a day to raise awareness of overdosing, and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends. May…
Back-to-school season can be stressful and hectic—key parts of your child’s day such as eating a nutritious lunch can be easy to overlook. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of tips to help your transition to the new school year be as smooth…
At the very young age of fifteen, Jessica was exposed to significant trauma. After being sexually assaulted, she resorted to drugs, alcohol, and self-harm. Jessica tried counselling and medication. Yet, nothing could take away her depression, anxiety,…
We all get into relationships with the best of intentions. But sometimes, we find ourselves wondering if our relationships are as healthy as they could be. Moreover, we can wonder what a healthy relationship even looks like, especially if our earliest…
Pause for a moment, and recall your everyday conversations with yourself. What do you often say? Is it “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I'm the right person to do this,” or “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to learn from others and grow”?This…
Are you looking for fun, inexpensive things to do with your family this summer? There are now more places open and more activities to choose from. Here are some activities in our city that won’t break your bank: The City of Edmonton outdoor pools are…
Are you looking for family activities for your summer vacation or weekends in and around Edmonton? Sure, festivals and such are cancelled, but there are still countless fun things to do during your vacation in Alberta. Here are 16 ideas to get you…
The Family Centre continues to overcome adversity even with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some highlights: We got accredited by Council on Accreditation We are now a certified Trauma-Informed Care agency We have raised about $45,000 at our United Way…
Are you and your partner having challenges in your relationship? Do you feel like you have lost the spark or have ongoing conflict? This happens and it is okay! Let’s think of it this way: Building a secure, happy, and healthy relationship is like…
Wake up. Pretend I’m OK. Sleep. Is this your cycle? Sometimes it’s easier to pretend you’re OK than having to explain why you’re not. Heather Pagenkopf meets many people who live this cycle in The Family Centre’s depression support group. You…
Happy Canada Day! It is a day where Canadians across the country show their pride, history, culture, and achievements! This year, we want to share a piece of our employees’ stories who migrated to Canada and received their Canadian citizenship. We…
Calvin’s love for his daughters gave him the courage to hold his family together as a single parent. His daughters were put into care because their mother struggled with addiction and unhealthy relationships. When Calvin heard the news, he was living…
Childhood trauma can really shake you up, but you can heal from it. ACEs are adverse (harmful) childhood experiences that impact brain development. They can damage immune systems and change how people respond to stress. The physical effects of ACEs can…
Black History Month honours the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians. Each February, Canada celebrates and acknowledges the impact of the Black community in our society. This year, students from John D. Bracco school celebrated what being…
Are you looking for fun and free things to do this summer? Meet other parents and learn about structure, routine, child development, emotional support, community resources, and more at The Family Centre’s free summer camp for parents! This is your…
Who said we can’t have fun at home during Father’s Day?! We can still celebrate Father’s Day even with COVID-19 restrictions. There are many creative and cool crafts we can make at home. There are also fun and easy games we could do in our backyard…
Journaling is a common and popular outlet for managing mental health, sparking creativity, and remembering events in one's life. There are many different reasons why people keep journals and all of them are beneficial. Benefits of keeping a journal…
Burnout leads to the inability to function well at work or in your personal life. It arises when chronic workplace stress has not been successfully managed. Chances are, you’ve probably experienced some form of burnout at least once in your life. Over…
The Family Centre’s (TFC) youth liaisons form part of a large collaborative known as the Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (NET). For those of you who are not already aware, NET is a partnership of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), City of Edmonton,…
We all have misunderstandings and communication blunders with our partners, no matter how happy the relationship is. Here are six tips for improving communications and your relationship with your partner: 1. Schedule time with each other Set aside a…