"It’s OK to be scared.Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.”- Mandy Hale Brave is a word that Heather Pagenkopf uses to describe those who join The Family Centre’s anxiety support group. Heather, the group’s…
Trista was shocked the day her oldest sister called her from prison. She asked Trista to care for her baby, Briella, when she would be born. “I knew that Briella would be taken, and my sister would be sent back to the prison after she gave birth. So,…
No one will ever live a life so fortunate as to escape living through a crisis. Traumatic events such as job loss, divorce, sexual assault, or the death of a loved one can throw a life into upheaval and create a dangerous mix of grief, anger, depression,…
How to build trust and avoid betrayal When we tell ourselves that we can’t rely on our partners, that they don’t understand our wants and needs, and maybe that they don’t even care to, we are primed to start noticing how green and lush the grass…
Colleen is one of our community Roots and Wings workers. She was introduced to a family and met with Joan, a single mother struggling with her two sons. Joan described her oldest son Greg, 13-years-old, as often angry and violent. She worried about Matt,…
When the new year begins, we often get back into the swing of life and schedules. Family day is an important time that reminds us to relax, slow down, and spend quality time with our loved ones. Connection with our families is more important than ever…
Attention caregivers! We are introducing three new parenting classes this winter. If you are looking for tips on how to better take care of your wellbeing, how to better connect and communicate with your child, or how to build self-discipline in your…
What’s pushing you along every day: anxiety or your ambition and interests? Are you always on top of things at work because you are passionate about your career or afraid of what might happen if everything doesn’t go according to plans? Is your home…
Being a new parent can be amazing, but it can also be scary and overwhelming. At times, it can be difficult to understand what your baby wants. A strong attachment will make it easier to understand your baby’s cues. Building a strong bond is beneficial…
Crystal was caring for her grandchildren when her world turned upside down. She had been sober for sixteen years but was accused of using drugs and alcohol. The next day her grandchildren were taken into care. Nobody believed Crystal and the pain turned…
If you’ve ever felt depressed, you know that being told to “cheer up” doesn’t work. Many well-meaning friends and family members don’t understand that depression is different from that temporary feeling of being down in the dumps, sad, or…
We all deserve to be in a healthy relationship. Simply put, a healthy relationship brings out the best in you. Here are seven signs to look for: 1. You trust each otherYou trust your partner, meaning you have confidence in them, can rely on them, and…
We are still here for you! We continue to provide support and resources for families in Edmonton as we navigate through the pandemic and its impact on our lives. You are not alone. As of November 27, Our new therapy groups and classes for managing…
COVID-19 required a shift in how success coaches practice, engage and communicate with children, youth and families. Success coaches made that shift readily and easily in order to continue providing meaningful services remotely. One example of this is…
We’re excited to share that Community Connections has certified our agency in the Creating Cultures of Trauma-Informed Care model. Lori L. Beyer from Community Connections says, “The culture at The Family Centre exudes care, kindness and support.”…
What would you do if your child refused to brush their teeth or crashed their car? Sometimes we caregivers might quickly jump into punishments – yelling, taking away your child’s possessions, grounding them. The issue with punishments is that they…
During the summer, many of us dealt with COVID-19 restrictions by going on walks. This allowed us to stay active and connected while remaining physically distant. As winter approaches, you may be wondering how you will handle isolation. In the winter,…
Feeling anxious is uncomfortable but normal Your heart is pounding so fast it feels like it’s coming out of your chest. You’re short of breath. You have sweaty palms and feel dizzy. We’ve all felt like this – anxious. While anxiety feels uncomfortable…
If you have anxiety or depression, you are not alone. Both are more common than you may think, but there are lots of healthy coping strategies to manage them.This fall, we’re introducing classes and therapeutic support groups for anxiety and depression.…
Building a life in Edmonton wasn’t easy for Wendy, a Kenyan refugee. Being isolated from friends and family and raising five children without support was overwhelming. Knowing very little English, Wendy did not have the means to advocate for herself.…