Cornerstone Family and Youth (CFY) is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary and is very proud of the way it has blossomed over this time within the community.
In 2002 a group of parents and community organizations came together around an idea to develop a program that would focus on families and early childhood development.
The group went to work and, in 2003, became incorporated as a non-profit organization. Reliant on volunteer members in the beginning CFY evolved and as they grew became in need of regular staff to facilitate operations. This change created a way for the program to offer consistent education and activities to the community.
"Shortly after funding was acquired to conduct a needs assessment that would direct the group's activities," Jenn Sedor, Cornerstone Family and Youth School Age Coordinator, explained. "The rest is history."
CFY has since become a positive force in Carlyle and the surrounding communities through its educational and recreational programs.
"It is always our hope to work with the surrounding communities and local organizations to offer programs and services to families and children not otherwise available in the community," Sedor stated.
This has come to include arts programs, safety programs, and more, all focused on the family and on youth.
Organizations who have partnered with CFY include the library, museum, school, and the pool.
"By doing this we combine our efforts to create the best programs possible, without competing with the other organizations," Sedor said. "It has been a highly successful approach."
In 2003 CFY initially focused on the Playroom Program, which takes place two times a week between the months of September and May, on Tuesdays (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) and Wednesdays (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.). The program then runs once a week between June and August. It is the longest running program that CFY offers and focuses on youth between birth and five-years-old as well as their parents.
Playroom is a free drop-in program found on Main Street tucked at the back of the walkway between the Carlyle Civic Centre and the Capstone. Here CFY offers an opportunity for youth to socialize in a safe, educational environment. With stories, crafts, snacks, sing-a-longs, and dancing the youth have fun playing and learning together. Parents are encouraged to take part in playtime with their children during the first hour and meet others who also have young children as a way to develop a network of parenting support. The second hour sees parents leave the CFY playroom to enjoy a coffee at the Carlyle Public Library, leaving their one to five-year-olds with the program assistant, Crystal Bee, and early childhood coordinator Brigette Carley.
"Other early childhood programs include our Mini-Masters Art Program, Literacy Events, Family Resource Library, and a book outreach program with the local public health," Sedor stated.
June will see CFY's Early Childhood Music program, which will be facilitated in conjunction with the Carlyle Public Library. Also starting again soon is the Splash Time program that is held at the Carlyle Pool.
Two new ideas that CFY is currently working towards is a Baby Sign Language course.
"We are in the process of booking a Baby Sign Language course for families both expecting and with children birth [to] age [two]," Sedor explained. "I am a huge supporter of the Baby Sign Language literacy program."
The second program being designed focuses on brand new families who are just learning how to be parents and how to take care of their new child.
"This class will be offered in partnership with local public health and will help new parents adjust to their new role," Sedor said. "Topics such as development, feeding, sleep, nursing, health and parent wellness are all on our list. We want to offer this program at least once a month."
Though CFY does have an early childhood focus, they also take on a role that is designed for school age children.
"[W]e are currently running two afterschool programs weekly which are an afterschool Gardening Program with the Carlyle Elementary School on Wednesdays and the R-tworx Art Program every Thursday after school at the Carlyle Public School," Sedor stated.
In addition to these programs CFY has put an emphasis on safety with their At Home Alone Safety Course during the month of April. This program was offered to youth who are now of the age to be allowed at home alone afterschool. Safety training focused on "911, strangers, street proofing, fire safety and first aid," Sedor explained.
"We partner with the CES, RCMP, Carlyle Fire Department and Supreme Ambulance for this program."
Girls Circle recently finished. This is a program that is held for six weeks and focuses on helping build self-esteem and self-worth in girls between the ages of 12 and 16.
CFY has also stepped into the void left during days when school is out and parents are at work through day camps and activities.
"Upcoming in July is the CFY Summer Club, which will run Monday [to] Friday all summer long," Sedor said. "[T]his program is based out of the CES and takes kids through gardening, swimming, programs at the library, museum and other locations around town."
In addition to these programs that CFY runs they also organize events for youth on National Children's Day, National Literacy Day, Hallowe'en trick or treating down Main Street, and the Festival of Trees during Dickens Festival.
One of their big events annually has become the Annual Kids Carnival held during Boogie Fest.
"This year we have hired children's entertainer Richie Roy to wow us with magic and create some awesome balloon sculptures and the bouncy castles will be on site for kids," Sedor explained. "We will also have all the carnival standards such as games, prizes, face painting, cotton candy and a great BBQ supper. Our annual bike parade will also take place that evening and information on that will be available soon!"
As can be seen CFY has become a major part of the community. As a non-profit organization CFY operates many important programs that greatly benefit youth and parents in the community.
"The majority of our programming is free, with the exception of the At Home Alone Program, Babysitters Courses, First Aid Courses and the CFY Summer Club," Sedor said. "However, fees are subsidized and very reasonable for families."
The organization's mission statement reads as follows:
"Children are full of potential. They are our most powerful asset for the present and future. To reach their full potential, families, children and youth need opportunities to succeed. At Cornerstone Family and Youth we offer positive educational and recreational programs with little or no barriers, we provide opportunities to our community and surrounding area."
These are not just words to those who are involved with CFY; but, it is their own personal philosophy, which has led to these important programs being developed over the past 10 years in Carlyle for the town and the surrounding communities to take part in.
Their commitment to community and the families within the area is evident. They hope to see many more people recognize the opportunities that CFY provides to families and youth in the area.
For more information visit CFY at www.cfyprograms.com or take a look at their Facebook page, Cornerstone Family and Youth.
