Beginnings Family Services celebrates 20 yearss
Posted By Admin on November 22, 2011
COBOURG — You know its a place for mothers and children from that first step inside the door at Beginnings Family Services Pregnancy Care Centre in Cobourg.
Infant jackets and snowsuits hang from the edge of the reception desk, beside which a basket of toys entices their youngest visitors.
Laundry baskets shelved behind the desk are neatly organized to offer diapers and clothing in certain sizes, and baby-care products dot the shelves. And that doesnt include their baby-food and -formula cupboard.
We try to make it a very welcoming place, director Genna McCoy said.
The first thing we ask is, How can we help you?
Located at 150 King St. W., Beginnings is celebrating 20 years in Cobourg this month.
Beginnings provides non-judgmental support services to families experiencing unplanned pregnancy. Their approach is child-centred, dedicated to building and supporting healthy family relationships.
They focus on providing a warm, safe place and a kind listening ear, McCoy said, with toys and snacks available to make visitors feel at home.
Client testimonials show that the help and resources for day-to-day needs are most welcome, as is the comforting feeling they get to realize they are not alone.
Baby Smarts is the newest educational program, offering local high-school students advice on healthy relationships and looking at parenting from a perspective of the childs needs.
While this is the only service of its kind in Northumberland that McCoy knows of, Beginnings actually started in Hamilton in 1985 as a counselling and licensed private-adoption agency. A grant enabled the establishment of three pregnancy-care centres in November 1991 with the support of local communities in Woodstock, Guelph and Cobourg.
After a brief initial time, head office was unable to continue financial support, so each now has to fundraise on its own.
We receive no government money. We are supported by local churches, businesses and corporate donors who see our work as vital to helping youth in Northumberland, McCoy said.
Hamilton Township resident Jim Smith was one of the volunteers who helped get it started back in 1991. Local volunteers worked with a representative from Hamilton to make it happen, he recalled, in a collective effort that included both local churches and members of the community.
That co-operation continues in force, Smith said.
The people of Northumberland County have shown great compassion for this service — I believe above-average. That has been both encouraging and motivating, as we reflect on the past 20 years.
While they served 583 clients in all of 2010, their 2011 figures show a steep increase. Just through the end of October, McCoy said, they have served 757 clients.
It shows how much there is a need in our area, she said.
Their parent-support services can be anything from a young mother perplexed because her baby wont eat to a question about pregnancy. No medical advice can be offered, of course, but there are many things they can help with right down to having a supply of diapers, formula, baby food and clothing on hand. This bounty is provided by volunteer donations as well as monthly trips to the Food 4 All Warehouse (where they have a membership).
And a lot of our mothers are good about, after their kids outgrow things, they bring them back — thats their way of being able to give back.
Its a faith-based organization supported by all local churches. McCoy has seen the agency serve girls as young as 13 right up through offering support to grandfathers and grandmothers who take on the challenge of raising their grandchildren.
Theres no specific age limit, McCoy said.
Currently, they can only afford two part-time staff (McCoy and a counsellor). Everything else, from office work to maintaining the care cupboard, is done by volunteers. They could offer more services more hours if the funding was there.
There are a half-dozen volunteers to help, and they are also looking to expand the volunteer base on their advisory board.
Anyone who would like to help with a donation of cash or goods or time is welcome to drop by. Office hours are 11 am to 4 pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and they can be reached at 905-373-4575.
McCoy is also hoping the local community will support their next fundraiser, the Nov. 24 Christmas Market, an evening of Christmas shopping with assorted vendors that runs from 5:30 to 9 pm at the Best Western Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre. Tickets are $7 each or two for $10, available at the door.
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