Babies Best Start, Beaverlodge Family & Community Support Services (FCSS), Beaverldoge Christmas Hampers & Food Bank, Healthy Families, Lounor Focus Point, Rural Reading Network (RRN), South Peace Rural Community Learning (SPRCL), West County Adult Day Program
Our History
The Beaverlodge Neighbourhood Resource Centre (NRC) is the result of a vision shared by former Beaverlodge Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) Director, Karen Gariepy and John Gregg of Child & Family Services Authority (CFSA). Karen and John had a vision for our town and that was to provide a one-stop shop for human services in Beaverlodge. In 2000 Karen convinced the Government of Alberta to put to use the idle courthouse in Beaverlodge for this purpose. The vacant building soon became home to many organizations in town. It started with the lone agency of FCSS but Karen quickly sent out word and invited agencies to come on board. Soon STAR (Students at Risk), Beaverlodge Christmas Hampers & Food Bank, Babies Best Start, and the Rural Reading Network (RRN) moved into their new offices. Playgroup happily settled in, enjoying all the centre had to offer. Barb Wearmouth of RRN became Coordinator of South Peace Rural Community Learning (SPRCL) and based that agency out of the Resource Centre as well. In June of that year CFSA - Community Development was in place and was followed, in early fall, by Beaverlodge Playschool. Having these groups housed within the same facility allowed them to provide support to each other while allowing the organizations to grow stronger by sharing resources and preventing a duplication of services.
The Beaverlodge Neighbourhood Resource Centre (NRC) is the result of a vision shared by former Beaverlodge Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) Director, Karen Gariepy and John Gregg of Child & Family Services Authority (CFSA). Karen and John had a vision for our town and that was to provide a one-stop shop for human services in Beaverlodge. In 2000 Karen convinced the Government of Alberta to put to use the idle courthouse in Beaverlodge for this purpose. The vacant building soon became home to many organizations in town. It started with the lone agency of FCSS but Karen quickly sent out word and invited agencies to come on board. Soon STAR (Students at Risk), Beaverlodge Christmas Hampers & Food Bank, Babies Best Start, and the Rural Reading Network (RRN) moved into their new offices. Playgroup happily settled in, enjoying all the centre had to offer. Barb Wearmouth of RRN became Coordinator of South Peace Rural Community Learning (SPRCL) and based that agency out of the Resource Centre as well. In June of that year CFSA - Community Development was in place and was followed, in early fall, by Beaverlodge Playschool. Having these groups housed within the same facility allowed them to provide support to each other while allowing the organizations to grow stronger by sharing resources and preventing a duplication of services.Although each agency within the facility is an independent entity they must work together. The Beaverlodge Neighbourhood Resource Centre Society was formed to govern the everyday running of the centre. The society is populated by representatives from each of the permanent residents of the building, and each resident adheres to the goals and objectives of the NRC.
The NRC Society has undergone a few changes over the years and is currently comprised of a number of non-profit organizations that offer a wide range of services. Our goal continues to be to provide services for community needs in a one stop shop.
The current members of the NRC Society are:
Babies Best Start
Beaverlodge Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)
Beaverldoge Christmas Hampers & Food Bank
Healthy Families
Lounor Focus Point
Rural Reading Network (RRN)
South Peace Rural Community Learning (SPRCL)
West County Adult Day Program
Certain areas of the NRC are available on a temporary basis for meetings, classes, workshops, support groups, and can be a neutral meeting point for clients and referal agencies. If space is required it must be booked first through reception. The intent of the meeting, etc. must meet health and safety regulations stipulated by the province. If outside user groups wish to use the space outside of regularly scheduled hours they must be screened and meet the approval of the NRC Society. Non-profit groups may use the space at no charge. Core occupants will be granted top priority for usage followed by non-profit.
Those of us who have the pleasure of working in such a setting as the Neighbourhood Resource Centre need to show our appreciation towards the Alberta Infrastructure Property Management Team. If it wasn't for their wonderful and ongoing help in supplying and maintaining the building, office furniture and equipment we would not have the opportunity to provide such a welcoming, convenient space for our community to access our agencies. We also need to thank CFSA Region 8 for keeping us stocked with the office supplies and equipment that we would loath to lose. It would be difficult to run an office without the help of computers, photocopiers and fax machines. Our gratitude goes out to the silent members of the NRC Society.
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