The first year is bound to be a busy one for any organization, but for the Humboldt Early Years Family Resource Centre, the term busy hardly scratches the surface. The Centre is jointly operated by the Horizon School Division and Partners Family Services. It was established as a support for youngsters to foster early learning skills, whether communication and social, or motor and emotional. The interior is brightly adorned and contains a wealth of play and learning related toys, manipulatives, and a wonderful play structure, so welcome during winter’s coldest days. 

Trish Maxwell oversees the Centre on behalf of the Horizon School Division. She talks about the Centre’s early going, and how it’s become an integral part in supporting early learning development.

“We are so pleased to have this centre in our community. It has provided so many services to the families, and not just to the city of Humboldt, but to the surrounding communities as well. People who visit the Centre cannot say enough nice things; it’s an amazing facility with an amazing staff and a wide variety of scheduled activities.”

The activities are scheduled and posted on a monthly calendar which is posted on the HEYFRC Facebook page. Those activities range from drop in sessions for free time play to more structured programs. Agencies like Kinder Creators and Evolve Chiropractic have been providing their resources and expertise in delivering some of that programming. The partnerships range from Regional Kids First, local speech language pathologists, and the RCMP to Humboldt EMS and Fire Departments, and the oral health unit from the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The Positive Parenting Program works out of the HEYFRC so they are consistently available. Other organizations that have leaned into the activities are the Humboldt Broncos and Impact Dance Company. 

“Our coordinator, Megan (McInnis) does such a great job finding new things she can bring to the Centre. So you have to check the calendar each month to see the listings. For families who have identified needs for their children, it’s a place to come for referrals and materials to guide parents. It’s a place to experience both an exciting and engaging environment, but at the same time a warm and inviting area respectful of everyone’s differences. 

I would just encourage anyone who hasn’t had a chance to drop into the centre to drop in to have a look,” says Maxwell. “It is just a wonderful, warm and welcoming environment that just has to be seen.”

On behalf of the HEYFRC and its partners Horizon School Division and Partners Family Services, Maxwell extends a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season to everyone.