News Posted On Nov 01, 2024

Kokum Rebecca's Story: Holding Space for Cultural Reconnection

Initially, kokum Rebecca was referred to Kun Wang, a Roots and Wings worker from Delton school, as part of our All In for Youth Program to develop parenting skills as she raised her grandchildren. During their time together, three of Rebecca’s family…

News Posted On Oct 01, 2024

Client Story: Vanessa & Don

Vanessa and her husband, Don, always thought about helping other children. Their passion led them to the ohpikîhakan (“a child that is being raised”) program at The Family Centre. Once learning about this therapeutic foster care program, Vanessa…

News Posted On Sep 01, 2024

Ava's Story: Finding Identity with a Cultural Coach

In grade eight, Ava struggled with setting boundaries, anger issues, and feeling out of place. This led to problems at school, such as low attendance and bad grades. “I was lashing out and not being able to keep things under control,” Ava confesses.…

News Posted On Jul 01, 2024

Mohammad's Story: Adjusting to Canadian Life with the Help of Roots & Wings Program

Four months into his new life in Canada, Mohammad has adjusted significantly well. He praises The Family Centre’s (TFC) Roots & Wings program for this triumphant feat. “I thought it would be one year for me to improve and adjust to the culture…but…

News Posted On May 01, 2024

Susanne's Story: "Better access to mental health support helps me live my best life"

Susanne is a resilient woman who found mental health support through The Family Centre, a United Way-funded partner agency. Empowered by these tools and resources, Susanne reclaimed control of her life. Her journey of self-discovery and recovery is…

News Posted On Jul 01, 2023

Little Turtle's Story

“In the story of Little Turtle, a little turtle goes in and out of their shell. All my life, I’ve always been in my shell, and I’ve never been able to come out. Little Turtle is a name gifted to me by an Elder.” she explains the significance…

News Posted On Jun 20, 2023

Caitlyn's Story

Caitlyn struggles to combat her social anxiety and navigate her slight autism. To the point that it was affecting her classes and grades. She would sometimes miss school because of the anxiety it brought her. "I want to be a normal person, but no one's…

News Posted On Jul 04, 2022

Success Story: Janine's Story

Janine’s two biological children were already school-age when she and her then-partner were asked to care for their nieces and nephews. They first took in infant twins. Soon after, they started visits with the twins’ older sister, and later on,…

News Posted On Jun 13, 2022

Zane's Story

Zane had experienced many traumatic events before walking into their first day of junior high. Among bouncing around from school to school, Zane had a front-row seat to addiction, dangerous behavior, and emotional abuse. Due to these experiences, Zane…

News Posted On May 31, 2022

Wendy's Story

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.…

News Posted On Mar 01, 2022

Rahwa's Story

Rahwa is a single parent and an immigrant. She always said to herself, “I can handle everything on my own.” At one point, things became uncontrollable and she felt like collapsing. This is when Rahwa decided to seek professional help. Rahwa connected…

News Posted On Jan 01, 2022

Chad and Tracy's Story

One day, Chad and Tracy received an unexpected call from The Family Centre. They learned that their daughter’s two children were in foster care due to abuse and neglect. Their grandchildren had been in care for six months. Alyssa, a Kinship Support…

News Posted On Dec 28, 2021

Blake’s story

The strong rapport between Blake, Nick, and David is so obvious from the moment you meet them, that it is surprising to learn that they recently celebrated only their one-year anniversary as a family. Blake’s dream of having two dads will soon be official…

News Posted On Nov 01, 2021

Lacey's Story

At a young age, Lacey experienced complex trauma. She handled this trauma with aggression and explosive outbursts. "I was going through a lot of hard times, and I was just really immature just because I went through a lot of stuff growing up, and I had…

News Posted On Oct 01, 2021

Aminata's Story

“It’s all about love,” believes Aminata. Love and culture - the driving forces that put Aminata’s two grandchildren into her care. “We have a parable that we say in our language, "There is no bad bush to put your kid away because of their bad…

News Posted On Aug 01, 2021

Jessica's Story

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,…

News Posted On Jun 29, 2021

Calvin's Story

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…

News Posted On Jun 21, 2021

Edmonton Students' Poem for Black History Month got Featured on CBC Radio

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…

News Posted On May 01, 2021

JJ's Story

As a Success Coach, part of my role is to support students in developing healthy boundaries. This is something that JJ and I worked on extensively. When I first met JJ, they would leave class on a daily basis to seek support from me around peer relationships.…

News Posted On Mar 08, 2021

International Women's Day Success Stories

Today, on International Women's Day, we celebrate the achievements of these strong women who shared with us how they made positive changes in their lives. Trista's and Angela's Story Trista was shocked the day her oldest sister called her from prison.…

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