DUNNVILLE—Love, care, and compassion are at the core of Haldimand Pregnancy Care and Family Centre (HPCFC). It has been a resource in cases of unplanned and difficult pregnancies, providing support for 20 years.
According to Carol Butler, Executive Director of HPCFC, the organization strives “to equip, educate, and encourage through pre- and post-natal support, parent programs, relationship issues, and more.”
Programs include mom and dad support groups, doula care, pre- and post-natal support, and Rockin’ Together for grandmothers who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren.Other services focus on Care and Share material items, miscarriage and early infant loss, post-abortion support, and one-on-one support programs for grief counselling, anger management, boundaries, and healthy relationships. Butler says, “Our programs and services are for anyone who would like to build community and receive support.”
Those services are facilitated by 10 staff between the Dunnville and Caledonia centres and the Thursday morning moms group in Hagersville. Additional dedicated volunteers help with the childcare program that enables moms to attend groups. Guest speakers are featured in special programs. Baby Development takes place with an Early Childhood Educator and the centre offers a 12 week homemaking course. A Child and Youth worker runs summer camps for Grade 6-9 girls and meets with younger clients for one-on-one support.
During its 20 years, 1,740 clients have accessed HPCFC. Butler adds, “Three hundred and ninety-four babies have been born and over 47,000 items have been given out…. There have also been over 32,250 volunteer hours that people have kindly given to support our programs.”
Volunteers are trained and then work in various areas based on availability. Childcare helpers must be available every Monday or Wednesday from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. “so that the children get used to the carers taking care of them.”
Along with volunteers, donations of gently used baby items and new items (diapers, wipes, formula, etc.), are welcome. Butler says donors “can support our events which happen throughout the year or make a donation monthly or whatever they feel comfortable with.”
As a Christian charity, Butler says HPCFC “relies on the support of individuals, churches, businesses, and our fundraising events to keep our doors open and help support those in need in our community.”
That support is critical, as it enables HPCFC to provide its clients with vital services.
“We meet people where they are at,” Butler states, “to show love, care, and compassion as they go through some very difficult struggles in life. We are here for them and we want people to know that they are not alone. There is a community here to help support – it takes a village to raise a child and that’s okay. You don’t have to do it alone!”
For more information on HPCFC visit haldimandpcfc.org or call 905-774-1228 for Dunnville, or 905-765-0228 to speak with someone at the Caledonia centre.
