Closure of Kitchener family resource centre will leave a 'big hole' in community, this mom says
CBC
In 2013, Melynda Pomeroy found herself in a tough spot.
New to Waterloo region and with her family on the east coast, Pomeroy had a new baby and a case of postpartum depression.
Help came in the form of a peer support group called Stork Secrets, run by the Our Place Family Resource Centre. There, Pomeroy could spend time with other parents who knew exactly what she was going through.
"If I hadn't found this group, I don't know. I don't know if I would be here," Pomeroy said.
Today, Pomeroy is concerned that other parents won't have access to the same support she did.
After more than 40 years of operation, Our Place announced this week it plans to close due to changes in its funding.
The resource centre is looking for another organization to take over the Stork Secrets group, but all other operations are set to shut down June 30.
"There's a big hole going to be left in the community," said Pomeroy, who currently sits on the Our Place board of directors.
In recent years, Our Place has received most of its funding from the province's Early ON program.
Now, things are changing, said Peter Sweeney, CEO of the YMCA of Three Rivers, which is the lead agency for Early ON in Waterloo region.
Sweeney explained the Ministry of Education is moving to a new system where Early ON centres will be based out of schools, rather than standalone sites.
The funding that had previously gone to Our Place is now being allocated to a new Early ON Centre at Oak Creek Public School in Kitchener. The school is set to open in September.
"The funding envelope doesn't change," Sweeney said. "We are mandated to shift those resources over time from standalone sites and mobile deliveries to school-based programming."
Sweeney said the YMCA will help support Our Place staff with "redeployment opportunities." In a release, Our Place says staff will also be helped with resume writing and career development.
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