VCS thanks and congratulates Gleaners on 40 years of service!

Valley Community Services would like to acknowledge Gleaners for the many years of support for our programs and services. Gleaners not only provides affordable clothing and household items for our community but also uses profits to support many community programs and services. AT valley Community Services, Gleaners supports Family Place Neighbourhood House programs. Our Pregnancy Outreach Program, fondly referred to as “Dots to Tots” is one program at Family Place which relies on the support provided by Gleaners. This program aims to help parents gain knowledge to make healthy pre and post natal choices and to increase knowledge of community services and support networks. This program provides individual and group support during pregnancy and the first 18 months of baby’s life. Transportation, food vouchers, diapers, prenatal vitamins, and clothing are available free of charge. Weekly groups promote the power of rhymes and songs, and provides opportunities for the discussion of parenting strategies, baby care, self-care, and numerous other relevant topics. Participants meet other parents, share stories and provide peer support.

Another program at Family Place, “Little Chefs” is also supported by Gleaners. The Little Chefs program provides group programming that teaches parents of children ages 0-6 positive parenting strategies and supports the healthy child development through education and supports. The program focuses on education regarding healthy food choices, meal planning and ways to create nutritional meals that children can take part in creating. The program also supports children in the areas of language development, learning, communication, fine and gross motor development and peer relationships. Parents are also provided with information about additional supports in community and have the opportunity to create supportive friendships and networks with other parents. In addition, when needed, facilitators are able to refer children to additional supports if they have or are at risk of an identified or potential developmental delay.

The Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors has also been supported by Gleaners for many years and would not still be in operation today without this support. TAPS has been able to provide relevant resources and programming in a safe and accessible space for seniors who wish to remain as independent as possible. Since 2005, hundreds of individuals and their caregivers have participated in this 5 day a week day program in the Rotacrest Hall on 19th Ave. N in Creston. This program aims to the support social determinants of health for seniors at risk of isolation. TAPS provides daily transportation, a nutritional meal, physical activity, art, music, education regarding relevant topics, and companionship. The financial support from Gleaners helps TAPS support the needs of individuals while they maintain their independence.

Gleaners is an extremely important organisation and contributes to many services and supports in our Valley. Without their support Valley Community Services would not be able to make these programs what they are today. We offer congratulations and gratitude for all this organisation does for our organisation and many others. We would like to thank the Creston Valley Gleaners Society Board and many volunteers that make this organisation so effective and contribute to its success and wish the organisation all the best now and for the next 40 years!