The Steinbach Family Resource Centre has received a $10,000 grant from Healthy Child Coalition, South East. Vicki Olatundun, executive director of the Resource Centre, says this funding is crucial for them to continue programs such as one that helps parents learn to cope with things like postpartum depression.

"I recall a few years ago when we had a family in Winnipeg who was in trouble because they had suffered some postpartum depression, the mother had, and she had killed her two young children and eventually killed herself. At that time the community was outraged. To combat that kind of situation in our community, the grant that was given from Healthy Child helps us run our program called 'Coping with Change' which helps us look after parents or help parents dealing with a new addition or parents who are dealing with the changes that occur when they have a new baby. One of them could very well be postpartum depression."

Olatundun adds some of the grant money will also be used for their pre-school programs including Tick Tock Toddler Time and Preschool Learn and Play. She notes it is always a relief to get this grant because they have to apply for it each year and this programming is so important to the community. Olatundun notes the Steinbach Family Resource Centre is seeing steady growth.

"We did our stats for the last three months, a three-month snapshot of our organization and we had over 900 visits. Our numbers continue to increase as people continue to learn about those programs and we have waiting lists for them."

Other organizations to receive grants from Healthy Child Coalition are:

South Eastman English & Literacy Services Families Learning Together program $5,000
Hanover School Division Shake, Rattle & Roll programming $2,200
Seine River School Division Little Learner Club $10,000
RM of Ritchot Recreation Department Shake, Rattle & Roll programming $3,820

Healthy Child Coalition – South East is one of 26 parent-child coalitions in Manitoba supporting programming for families with young children 0-5 years. Coalitions bring together representatives from schools, child care, health services, and other community organizations. As Coalition members, we share expertise, experience and resources to identify and address community needs and priorities.