One of the greatest resources for parents with young children in Kitsilano has to be West Side Family Place @ West 11th @ MacDonald but it looks like that could change.
As we all know, budgets are tight everywhere. The province’s “kitchen cupboard is bare” situation has a real impact on us. The grants we normally count on are not guaranteed by any means. And so it falls to us to raise money to keep Family Place and its programs going. If we don’t, our core program, the Drop-In program will have reduced hours.
West Side Family Place has a great outdoor play area with a sandbox, swings, play house, and toys. Inside, they have an amazing indoor playroom, with art projects, painting, dress-up clothes, playdough table, lego, slide, play kitchen area, train set, puzzles, toy library, and tonnes of age appropriate toys.
At the end of every morning, there is circle time with songs and stories. Snack time? Head upstairs and there are toddler friendly tables and chairs, and for 50 cents, access to tea and coffee and pastries donated from Starbucks. That deal alone makes it worth a visit. Drop-in times are M-F between 9:30-12 and Wednesday from 1-4:30. There is an annual membership fee of $15.00, and all subsequent drop-ins are $2 (subsidies are available). In addition to these drop-in times, WSFP also has a number of parenting and family programmes available, including infant/child CPR.
WSFP relies heavily on donations and their annual fundraising auction is being held Friday, October 15th at 7pm. Tickets are $12, and the evening includes a live and silent auction, a band, snacks, and the first drink is included. It will be held at St. James Community Square, 3214 West 10th (at Trutch). You’ll have the opportunity to bid on some fabulous items, including:
- birthday party packages for your kids
- 20 themed gift baskets
- Canuck and Lions tickets
- original artwork
- a mommy makeover from Suki’s
- an adventure weekend in Campbell River (including accommodations, snorkeling with salmon for 2; whale watching for 2; and a heli-tour for up to 4)
- a 2 hour session in Air Canada’s 767 flight simulator with instructor
- bbq dinner in your home for 12 from the chefs at Gotham Steakhouse
- sapphire jewelry designed for WSFP by Andrew Costen, designer to the Royal Family
Last modified: October 5, 2009
