About Us
Mill Woods Family Resource Centre
Mill Woods Family Resource Centre Society was incorporated as a Society in January 2004. The agency began as a result of a merger between Mill Woods P.A.T.C.H. Place Society and New Parents Association, two stable, well-established agencies with over 15 years of helping children and families in the Edmonton Southeast community of Mill Woods. This merger was undertaken to:
• Improve services to families and children in the community
• Make the programs more accessible and physically closer to users
• Meet a need identified by funders for a resource centre in Mill Woods
• Be in line with governments' stated preference for greater coordination and merging among programs
• Increase the profile of the programs
• Contribute to the agency's strength and sustainability
• Create greater synergy and new opportunities
Mill Woods Family Resource Centre provides information, education, and support to individuals, parents, and families in Mill Woods. Currently, the agency is the only resource centre south of the North Saskatchewan River that offers this range of services.
The agency currently has three separate locations in Mill Woods – Millhurst Site (5704-19A Avenue), Knottwood Site (1733 Millwoods Road), and Millbourne Community Site (3756-78 Street). Additionally, space is utilized in existing community and public buildings to deliver services and programs that meet the needs of the community. Both the Mill Woods Public Library and the Mill Woods Town Centre Mall have been very supportive in providing space for programs.
Parent Link
Mill Woods Family Resource Centre became the first Edmonton designated Parent Link Centre in January 2005. The objectives of a Parent Link Centre, which was established by Alberta Children's Services, are to:
• Support parents in their role as their children's first and most influential teachers
• Link parenting programs and services through a province-wide network that promotes excellence
• Facilitate the sharing of resources
• Foster the creation of partnerships
Mill Woods Family Resource Centre received the resources from the Parent Link Centre initiative and incorporated more programming and services for parents and families.
Programming
The four core areas of programming for Mill Woods Family Resource Centre are:
• Early childhood education
• Child and youth
• Family and adult support
• Parent education
Cost of Programming
The programs and services are offered at no cost to the participant. Some of the programs require a refundable fee upon registration and cooking programs require a nominal fee in order to purchase supplies.
Volunteerism
Volunteers play an important role at Mill Woods Family Resource Centre by assisting with group facilitation and support, childcare, special events, maintenance and custodial support and day to day operations. They enhance the programs and services provided through their involvement and commitment to the agency.
Statistics
In the last year, Mill Woods Family Resource Centre served approximately 4,500 children, youth, and adults. Approximately 191 volunteers perform more than 4500 hours of service for the agency.
Funding
Mill Woods Family Resource Centre Society is funded through Alberta Children's Services , Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services Region 6 and the City of Edmonton Family and Community Support Services . Additional funding from foundations, grants and donations from community sponsors help make programs and services possible.
Mill Woods Community History
The community of Mill Woods began in 1970. This urban project began with 6,500 hectares of woods and farmland. Mill Woods was designed to offer a range of housing options from single family dwellings to affordable and subsidized housing choices. Over the years, Mill Woods has been developing a business and service core intended to allow for more of a self-contained community. As a result of this, Mill Woods is home to individuals and families with diverse cultural and economic wealth. The community now encompasses 23 planned urban neighborhoods that are home to close to 100,000 people. Statistically, if Mill Woods was a city, it would be the 3 rd largest city in Alberta.
