Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-11-28, Page 10( d Page 10—The Wingham Advance -Times, Nov. 28, 1984 Huron Centre for Children and Youth Centre local a Although it already is receiving so many inquiries that for the first time it is having to put people on a waiting list, the Huron Centre for Children and Youth is continuing to spread the word that it is here to help families in trouble. Through the media and. a traveling "road show" which appears at local fairs and celebrations, as well as visits to the schools, the centre is trying to become "more visible", explained Janie Gattinger and Sandy Stuart, two members of the coun- selling staff, during a recent visit to Wingham. Even though it has been operating in Huron County for seven years and is get- ting calls for help at a record rate, there are still people.— xists to hel ilies in tr • u even in Clinton where it is based — who don't know what it is or what it does. "We feel it's important people know about us and the service we provide; that they don't have to go to the city," Ms. Gattinger said. What the centre offers is a variety of programs to help families which are running into problems they don't know how to solve. Because it is funded through the Ministry of Community and Social Services, there is no direct charge to the clients for these services, however terms of the contract also restrict the service to families with children; childless couples do not qualify. The problems come in a variety of forms, Ms. Gat- tinger said. "We see very ordinary families which are having a hard time raising kids." Not that it is necessarily the children's fault. "Because of the family focus, we often see parents having problems (which are) affecting the kids." Other influences may be blamed as well, Mr. Stuart noted. "We also get people coming and saying that if it wasn't for school the kid would be great." He was quick to add that the problems don't mean these are bad children or bad parents, and the counselling staff is careful not to take sides or assign blame. Their role is simply to help families try to get to the root Leadership is the theme for Goforth installation The November meeting of the St. Andrew's Goforth Auxiliary was held Nov. 20. Mrs. Bevin Brown opened the meeting with a poem; Mrs. Ralph Campbell read from Acts 2 and Mrs. Wallace Richardson led in prayer. Mrs. Harold Con - gram dedicated the offering. Following a duet by Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Jack Day, accompanied by Mrs. Paul Mills, Mrs. Brown introduced the evening's speaker, Rev. Mills. Speaking on Christian leadership, Mr. Mills said that in the life of each leader there comes a time for re- evaluation and preparation for what lies ahead. Three questions should be asked: What are we doing well? What needs improvement? and What should we be doing? The first question implies we should not minister in areas in which'we are weak, he said. However there is the danger of emphasizing one strength to the exclusion of others. To avoid this danger, the leader should help others develop their gifts — an imp?rtant task in Christian leadership. He said the Christian leader should follow four disciplines in personal life: instruction — exposure to the teaching of the Word; worship — a personal response to a divine revelation; service — an out- growth of worship, and; fellowship — sharing one's faith. It is essential the Christian leader look after her own spiritual life. Kuehl -Richardson vows are exchanged at Ingersoll On October 27, Lynn Richardson and Kerry Kuehl exchanged vows at Trinity United Church, Ingersoll. The service was conducted by Rev. Roger McCombe. Matron of honor was Barb Campbell of Toronto and bridesmaids were Connie Jamieson of Wingham, Janice Rae of London and Judy Cane of Toro4o, all friends of the bride. Best man was Sean Kuehl of Sarnia, brother of the groom. Guests were ushered `by Matt Richardson of London, brother of the bride, Murray Edgar of Aylmer and Doug Duncan, friends of the groom. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Richardson of Ingersoll. The groom is the son of Elizabeth Thompson, RR 1, Belgrave. The couple is now residing in Wingham. Mr. Mills warned , that leaders must be prepared for difficulties as the evil one will try to block God's work and the Christian leader is a prime target. He ended with prayer for those in leader- ship and the program ended with another duet. The meeting was turned over to the executive. The president, Mrs. Neill, thanked Mr. Mills and Mrs. Brown and her committee. She also expressed ap- preciation for support and remembT nce at the time of the deatft- o her husband's mother. Mrs. Murray Underwood was called upon to present a WMS lifemembership to Mrs. Arnold Taylor, past president. On behalf of the ladies she expressed ap- preciation for Mrs. Taylor's able leadership. Mrs. Taylor than thanked the ladies for their Christian support during her presidency. The installation of officers by Mr. Mills followed and the meeting ended with refresh- ments and a social time. Vincent relatives meet at WI Hall BELGRAVE — A family get-together of Vincent relatives was held at the Women's Institute Hall on Sunday afternoon with 41 present. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Vincent, Belgrave, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Vincent and family of RR 1, Belgrave, Mr. and Mrs. Neil Vincent, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Vincent and family of RR 3, Wingham, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Vincent of Belgrave, Mr. and Mrs. James Taff of London, David Taff of Oshawa, Mr. and Mrs. Doug. Mitchell, and family of Hanover, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Vincent 'and family of , Campbellville, Paul Vincent of Oakville, Mrs. Cliff Logan of Bel - grave, Mr. and Mrs. Americo Arruda and family of Toronto, Mr. and Mrs. Barry Logan and family of Burlington, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Logan and family of Wyoming. off their problems and find ways of working them out. "I really believe families go through stages of development," he said, "and sometimes they get stuck at a certain stage. "When kids reach the teen years, for example, it requires a real shift in the way you see your kids and some families have difficulty making that shift." NO MAGIC SOLUTIONS Counsellors try to get the whole family involved in the discussions, because they need to know how issues are affecting each member. Even though only one may be experiencing difficulty, it may be because of some- thing someone else is doing. There's nothing very mysterious about the process, Ms. Gattinger said, nor are there instant cures. "We really don't offer any magic solutions." "We dispell that myth early on," Mr. Stuart agreed. "It's a lot of hard work to reorganize a family." However counsellors start from the position that parents know their own child best and thatfamilies have hidden strengths and resources which can cure their own problems if only they 'can be focussed. ef- fectively. "We try to help families. see their concerns in a dif- ferent light," Ms. Gattinger explained, noting that when one is stuck inside a problem it is often difficult to view it objectively. It also can be helpful to learn that your problems are not unique.' "We see about 300 new families a year," noted. Mr. Stuart, "and , often they're very surprised when we tell them their problems are not unique — many others are struggling with the same `thing." • DIFFERENT PROGRAMS While family 'counselling is the. "main stream" of the centre's work, it also has branched out into several more specialized ,areas, including a mediation program and some group sessions. There is an Adolescent Group for teenagers, in which they work on social skills, relationships with parents and other problems of particular concern to this age group. ' Then .there is the Group Against Violence, one of the newest programs whcih only started this fall . "We have become really aware of violence being a problem in many families," Ms. Gattinger explained, and this program is trying to • find ways to help families in, dealing with stress without resorting to violence. Another new program which was started in response to what the centre found to be tremendous need in the community is the mediation program, which began about two years ago as an alternative to the traditional custody fights over children when a marriage breaks up. "Parents splitting up have to be able to separate their old marital problems from their relationship to the kids," Mr. Stuart explained. In 'mediation, counsellors will meet with the parents to -try to work out a mutually acceptable agreement regarding custody and ac- cess to the children, which is then written out and presented to the court during the divorce action. "Often when parents separate and divorce, the kids feel like they've been divorced too, and it is very hurtful and damaging," Ms. Gattinger added. And because this is what is . termed "closed mediation", counsellors cannot be called upon to take sides in the divorce action about which is the best parent. "They do it themselves. A SHOW OF STRENGTH During the early years, the centre got most of its clients — it never calls them patients — through referrals from doctors, other family organizations or the schools, and schools are still number one id terms of referrals, Mr. le Stuart said. But increasing numbers of people are calling in themselves, having heard of the services through family, friends or neighbors. "It's difficult to come to us for help," he acknowledged. "A lot of people think it is a show of weakness. "I think it's 'a show of strength." In addition to its main office in the basement of the chiropractic building at Clinton, the centre has of- fices in Exeter, Listowel and Stratford which are staffed each Tuesday. The services were ex- tended into Perth County a number of years ago because of a need there. However because it is unable to provide more than a "band- aid" service to Perth residents and because even that is taxing its resources to the limits, it is currently involved in helping Perth try to organize its own coun- selling service. This would allow the centre to pull back into Huron and concentrate on . meeting thegrowing demand for its services here. The director of the. Huron Centre for Children and Youth is Don Keillor and there is a staff of six coun- sellors and two office staff. Its telephone number is .482- 3931. THE CRAFT ROOM'at last Saturday's tea and bake tional Centre was full to overflowing in the morning. very hard throughout the year to ensure the annual year's edition was no exception. Rebekah's shoot party Nine tables were in play at the Rebekah shoot party Monday evening. Marjorie Coultes had the high pink card and Gordon Robinson had the high white. Elda Coultes had the most shoots. Gertie. Tiffin had the lucky tally card. There will be another shoot party Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. BEST RATES Short term 1. yr. GIC 5 yr. GIC 11% 111/4%1121/4% ABC ANNUITIES 53 WEST ST. GODERICH 524-2773 (Collect) sale at the Jack Reavie Voce - The clients at the centre work sale is a big success and this Craft, Bake Sale & Tea Saturday, Dec. 1184 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wingham & Area Day Centre for the Homebound in the Wingham Armouries 41,, .;z .t,,� , Special Local people attend dinner at Stratford John Vanden Assem, president of the Wingham Voice for Life, attended the annual Right to Life dinner last Wednesday in Stratford. Several other local group members from Seaforth, Kinkora and St. Marys at- tended as well. Dr. Ken Ingham, a medical internist and palliative care specialist from Hamilton, was the guest speaker. He spoke on quality of life and palliative care for dying patients. (To addresses beyond 40 mile radius - '21.50) U.S, or overseas...s59.50 Yes only $19.50 will buy a year long Christmas gift! A cheery Christmas card will go out to' announce your sgift at Christmas time. This offer applies only on Gift Subscriptions to persons; outside your own household - either as new subscriptions or renewals of previous gift subscriptions. Price in effect until December 21, 1984 Please send The Advance -Times to: NAME ADDRESS TOWN P.O. BOX_ Please send The Advance -Times to: NAME ADDRESS TOWN , P.O. BOX - PROV. POSTAL CODE_ New Subscription ❑ Renewal [1 Gift Card to Read: PROV. POSTAL CODE New Subscription ❑ Renewal ❑ Gift Card to Read: Beaver prefer poplar trees, but when hungry will eat many other spcies in- cluding those of hard wood such as beech and oak. Cash or cheque enclosed for: Name of Donor Address of Donor Town P.O. Box Prov. Phone Postal Code The Advance -Times