Waterloo region's 1st Indigenous child and family centre now open

Indigenous families across Waterloo region can now use the first Indigenous focused child and family centre in the area.

The Anishnabeg Outreach's Child and Family Centre will offerthe same services as otherEarlyON child and family programs, but with an Indigenous focus to better serve Indigenous children and their families.

The centre will also be open to children and families who are not Indigenous.

The centre was developed by AnishnabegOutreach, a local Indigenous employment and resource centre, and has been in the works since March last year.

In September, the former St. Phillips Lutheran Church at 236 Woodhaven Rd., was chosen for its location.

"Our centre will develop early learning programs associated with traditional and land-based wisdom and skills," Stephen Jackson, executive directorof Anishnabeg Outreach, said in a news release.

"For this we will rely on the guidance of Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and educators."

Families will be able to accessfree drop-in programs for parents and children up to age six, including programsthat supportearly learning and development, andprograms that connect familiesto other services in the community.

The centre willalso offer pre and postnatal support programs and other supportfor parents.

"We're pleased to see the centre up and running," said Barb Cardow, director of children's services for the region, in the news release.

"It fills a gap in services for Indigenous families in Waterloo region."