FCC Reaccredited
Accreditation
Family Counselling Centre is very pleased to announce that the agency has received its reaccreditation from the Family Service Ontario Accreditation Program. The process included an extensive review by the provincial accreditation team, of 150 measures over 7 categories, with FCC achieving full marks in all. Categories included mandatory Governance, Administration and General Programs as well as the modules of Family Counselling, Employee Assistance Program - EAP and Community Support Services. Accreditation by an independent provincial body recognizes the high standards, hard work and professionaliam of the staff at Family Counselling Centre and ensures clients and funders alike of the quality and integrity of the organization.
June 2010
Annual General Meeting
On June 22, 2010 Family Counselling Centre held its Annual General Meeting - AGM. A new slate of officers was elected and recognition was given to staff and volunteers for years of experience with the agency.
Kids Fun Fest
Family Counselling staff and volunteers were pleased to participate in the annual Children’s Festival put on by the County of Lambton on June 12, 2010. The event is held in Centennial Park with games, displays and interactive activities for children and parents. At the Family Counselling Centre booth children were able to have their face painted and/or make a ‘family flag’. There was a lineup for the face painting all day, with some high quality face painting done by our staff volunteers, Diana, Pam and Donna. As an agency FCC fully supports actvities that bring families together for fun, awareness and outdoor activities and this event is a great example of that.
May 2010
Gore Mutual Donation
Gore Mutual Insurance Company Foundation, in cooperation with Magermans & Raes Insurance Brokers Limited, is proud to make a donation in the amount of $5,000 to The Social Service Bureau of Sarnia Lambton Incorporated o/a Family Counseling Centre. Funds will allow the organization to hire a part-time trainer to assist their volunteers with the new distress line software.
Gore Mutual Insurance Company Foundation is proud to support Canadian communities. The Foundation aids social, educational, and health services along with cultural and environmental activities that are in the best interest of the community.
“We are pleased to work with our broker partner, Magermans & Raes Insurance Brokers Limited, to support social services in their community,” says Mark Young, Broker Relations Manager for Gore Mutual Insurance Company.
This year, Gore Mutual and the Gore Mutual Insurance Company Foundation will support over 100 charitable organizations.
Gore Mutual is Canada’s oldest property and casualty insurance company and has been proudly serving Canadian since 1839.
Stand Up Man Award
Family Counselling Centre is pleased to announce that staff member Doug Darrach was presented with the Stand Up Man award at the recent Men’s Breakfast held at the Sarnia Holiday Inn. The award, part of the National Victims of Crime Awareness Week recognizes men in the community who have contributed to ending violence against women in our community. Doug has been a facilitator for 15 years and is now also the co-ordinator of the Ministry of the Attorney General funded Commiment To Change (Partner Assault Response) program at FCC.
We congratulate Doug on his award and the impact his efforts have had in helping to reduce the cycle of violence against women in our community.
Volunteer Recognition Awards
Family Counselling Centre is pleased to announce that 6 Volunteers from our Distress Line / Tel-Check program were honoured recently by being presented with Length of Service Volunteer Recognition Awards from the Province of Ontario at an awards ceremony held at the Imperial Theatre in Sarnia on April 7, 2010. The highly trained volunteers provide valuable assistance and support to those in crisis who call the Distress Line and they also make calls to ensure the safety and security of Tel-Check clients living on their own. The Board and staff of Family Counselling thank and congratulate these wonderful volunteers on their contributions to our community: Joanne Boere 25 years; Vicki Mellanby 10 years (Kids On The Block Volunteer); Phyllis Vanoverbeke 10 years; Winnie Robinson 5 years; Jackie Pentland 5 years; Betsy Demers 5 years;
February 2010
Chilly Chili Family Fun Day
The second annual Family Counselling Chilly Chili Family Fun Day was held at Dow People Place in Sarnia on Family Day, Feb. 15, 2010. The well attended event had games and activites for children, an opportunity to see an Olympic Torch and meet some of the local Oylmpic Torch runners, a popular ice slide, free draws, on-site radio reports, hot dogs and the always competitve, always delicious Chili Cookoff competiton which produced the following results:
Norm Piquette Catering - Winner of the Judge’s Choice Award
On The Front Restaurant - Winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Also competing in the very close competition: * Alternate Grounds Cafe (last year’s winner) * John’s Restaurant, * Skeeter Barlow’s and , * Spoon Lickins.
Our thanks and congratulations to all the competing restaurants, our co-sponsorThe County of Lambton and donors: Bright’s Grove Foodland, Tim Hortons, Snowfest, Degroots, Rangoon International, Autoworks, Metro Supermarkets, Blackburn Radio, Olives Restaurant, MP Pat Davidson, Atmosphere and the City of Sarnia.
Winners of the draws were: * Kelly G.- 4 tickets for the Monster Jam at John Labatt Centre * Sarah S. - Olives Restaurant Gift Certificate for finding and correctly answering the questions about Family Counselling Centre * Issac B. - A White Bear, stuffed animal * Katie B. - A ‘Family’ of 3 stuffed animal Bears * Brianne B. - A stuffed animal Cow.
Thanks to all who attended and all the wonderful volunteers who helped make the event a great, outdoor Family Day activity.
Chilly Chili Chefs
We are pleased to announce the list of local restaurants who will be competing for the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards at this year’s Chilly Chili Fun Day on Feb. 15th, 2010 at Dow People Place in Sarnia from 11:30 - 2:30. The restaurants are: * Alternate Grounds Cafe, * John’s Restaurant, ** On the Front Restaurant, * Skeeter Barlow’s and * Spoon Lickins.
Join us on Family Day to enjoy great chili and outdoor activites.
January 2010
Chili Chilly Fun Day
Family Counselling Centre will be hosting its Second Annual Chili Chilly Fun Day at Dow People Place in Sarnia on Family Day, Mon. Feb 15, 2010 from 11:30 - 2:30. Join us for family oriented, outdoor fun and activities for all ages, sample the delicious Chilis prepared by local restaurants competing to be the Chili Chilly Fun Day Chili Champion, enjoy a hot dog prepared by our self-proclaimed barbeque masters and enter into a free draw for family friendly ‘door’ prizes. Admission and activities are free with a small family friendly cost for Chili, hot dogs and pop/juice.
If you would like to volunteer to help at this outdoor event contact Sandra through info@familycounsellingcte.com.
Ongoing
Volunteer
Are you interested in helping others and helping our community? Family Counselling Centre has a number of volunteer opportunities available for special events and ongoing programs such as the Distress Line.
Distress Line
Recruitment and training for individualsinterested in helping others by volunteering on the Distress Line is ongoing. Be a part of assisting those in distress. Caring is required, training is provided. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 519-336-0120 or fcc@familycounsellingctr.com.
January 2010
Employment Opportunity: CLOSED
Family Counselling Centre has an opening for a permanent, full-time Business Team Leader. Reporting to the Business Manager, the position requires a highly motivated individual with proven accounting and computer skills who is able to ‘join the dots’ in a busy, multi-account environment.
Primary responsibilities include ensuring a smooth workflow, the accuracy and timely completion of: Payroll, financial reports, reconciliations, journal entries, verifications; and the ability to learn, use and instruct others on the use of custom software and databases, basic computer troubleshooting skills and inventory tracking.
Qualifications: A minimum 5 years of relevant work experience with demonstrated leadership skills; a post secondary diploma/degree specializing in accounting, or equivalent; plus credits towards an accounting designation preferred; demonstrated excellence in interpersonal and organizational skills; strong written and verbal communication skills, proven attention to detail and comprehensive computer skills.
Interested applicants, please submit your resume to info@familycounsellingctr.com by 12:00 p.m., Tues. January 26, 2010, citing position B-01-10 in the subject line. While we appreciate the interest of all who apply, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
October 2009
United Way
Family Counselling staff have recently done a number of presentations to industries and companies, informing them of the vital contribution the United Way makes to our community through the funding of two Family Counselling programs: Family, Couple & Individual Counselling and the Distress Line. This is campaign time for the United Way and we feel it is important to let people know how much of a difference their contributions can make in the lives of those in our community.
July 2009
New Staff
In order to best meet the needs of our clients, a new, full-time counsellor has been added to the staff of Family Counselling Centre. With a Master’s degree in Counselling and a strong background of helping diverse clients, Karolina K. is a welcome addition to the staff. Also joining the FCC team to fill the role of Connececting Point Coordinator is Beth G.W. and, Kirsten has returned from maternity leave.
June 2009
Chocolate Jazz
The inaugaural CHOCOLATE JAZZ and Silent Auction event, held on June 19, 2009 at the Village Inn in Point Edward was a great success. Those in attendance enjoyed the music of After Four, a group that recently won the fan favourite original award at the Jack Richardson Music Awards. Hot and cold appetizers, chocolate desserts, truffles and more made for a sociable, relaxing, fun evening
The Silent Auction saw a number of wonderful items up for bid, including signed Garfield prints by creator Jim Davis, golf packages, beach packages and original art work by local artist David Moore. Thank you to all our sponsors, businesses who donated auction items and those attending the event. Based upon this year’s response, look for an even bigger Chocolate Jazz event next year!
Workplace Workshops
Family Counselling Centre’s Employee Assistance Program Coordinator is a skilled trainer and facilitator offering a range of Wellness Workshops and seminars to help employees deal with change, stress and other areas which can impact on productivity and workplace satisfaction. Call 519-336-0120 to arrange an EAP workshop.
April 2009
Supervised Access
As of April 1, 2009, Family Counsellng Centre began operating Supervised Access Sarnia Lambton a service which receives funding through the Ministry of the Attorney General. Supervised Access centres provide a safe, neutral, child-focused setting for visits and exchanges between a child and a non-custodial parent or other adult such as a grandparent in cases where there is concern for the safety of the child and/or the custodial parent. For more information or to arrange an intake interview contact Family Counselling Centre. The service is available on Wed., Fri., Sat. and Sun., please call for times.
March 2009
Staffing
Family Counselling Centre is pleased to announce that long-term FCC employee Doug Darrach has accepted the management position of part-time Coordinator for the Family, Couple and Individual program at the agency. Doug will also continue in his role as Team Leader with the Advocacy, Planning and Support Services team.
February 2009
Chili Chilly Fun Day
Family Counselling Centre would like to offer a great big THANK YOU to all our Chili Chilly Fun Day sponsors: Bluewater Optimist Club; Rangoon International Food Market; A&P - London Road; McDonald’s - Sarnia; and, Tim Horton’s - Exmouth Store, as well as our wonderful Chili Chefs who made the decision of the judges very difficult: Alternate Grounds - Winner of both the Judged and People’s Choice Award; On the Front Restaurant & Lounge; John’s Restaurant; Norm Piquette Catering; 403 Edition; Scudder Beach Bar & Grill; and our very own Board Member - Mark Van.
The Family Counselling Centre Chilly Chili Family Fun Day took place on Family Day, Mon. Feb. 16, 2009 at Dow People Place in Sarnia. The weather was great and the event provided a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy winter games and activities, sample chili prepared by our distinguished local chefs; enjoy a hot dog prepared by our self-proclaimed barbeque masters and enter into a free draw for family friendly ‘door’ prizes. With attendance estimated at around 600, we are looking forward to holding the Chili Chilly Fun Day event again next Family Day.
The Family Counselling Centre Foundation is now up and running
The purpose of the Foundation is to receive funds, including through direct donations, bequests and legacy giving. In doing so, the Foundation supports the long-term sustainability of the Family Counselling Centre’s innovative, community focused programming.
To contribute to the Foundation contact Don Pitt or Charlotte Beer at 519-336-0120.