Family & Children's Services

FREE FORMAL ATTIRE FOR GRADUATES! Yes, you heard us right...we are thrilled to announce our Get Gorgeous for Grad program will return May 3, 4, 6, & 7. Whether ...graduations from grade 8 or high school are virtual, in-person or private celebrations with family we want our community graduates to #feeltheirbest and celebrate their achievements. How it works: - Book your appointment over the phone by calling (519) 631-9800 during regular office hours - Get a 45-minute one-on-one fashion consultation with our YWCA Youth Team - Select a dress or suit from hundreds of colours and styles for free! **COVID Protocols and screening will be in place during appointment. Student may bring ONE guest only during appointment.** Please note donations will NOT be accepted from the public this year. Learn more at https://www.ywcaste.ca/get-gorgeous-for-grad/

Today we celebrate #TransDayOfVisibility as we recognize the achievements of trans individuals, equality and the steps our community has made to be inclusive.

Wishing those who celebrate a very happy and wonderful Holi! Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the spring and the triumph of good over evil!

Every day, child welfare staff provide critical support to children, youth, and families. The COVID-19 pandemic has made that more difficult than ever, yet their commitment has been unwavering. They have continuously stepped up despite the unprecedented challenges. They are being vigilant and flexible in helping vulnerable families while doing their utmost to stop the spread of the virus.... They deserve our thanks and our appreciation. https://youtu.be/ByoGrdgk2uw #TrulyDedicated

what3words : An app you should download today! what3words is a mapping app different from anything you might have used before. It may have first been created t...o easily locate exact locations around the world to assist travelers but it has turned out to have life saving capabilities! There are already several reports around the world where what3words has helped police locate lost individuals. The service is so impressive STPS has downloaded the what3words app to all our police devices should we ever need to use the platform to help find someone. To see how what3words was created watch this ted talk by the creator Chris Sheldrick https://youtu.be/hKh7DcQnuTE Click on the website link to learn more about how easy this mapping system is! https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app/

Each year, the Community Action Network-Youth Engagement Sub-committee (CAN YES) in St. Thomas hosts Youth Awards to recognize the contributions of residents ag...ed 13-30 who have made a difference in their community. Especially during a global pandemic, youth deserve to have their resilience, creativity, and community service acknowledged. Nominations are now being accepted until March 31! Learn more at wellkin.ca/youth-awards See more

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day Flag Raising and Mayoral Proclamation. #stthomapolice #elginopp #aylmerpolice #medavieems #stthomasfire #mayorjoepreston #mpkarenvecchio #mppjeffyurek

Today Canada officially recognizes February 22nd as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day! Raising awareness is the first line of defence in fighting #hum...antrafficking. Please join us so we can prevent this crime and help survivors get the supports they need! On this day, wear blue to spread awareness and share your support! #ProjectMapleLeaf #CourageForFreedom #EradicateChallenge #HumanTraffickingAwarenessDay #Preventionbeforeintervention #StopHumanTrafficking #HumanRights #ChildRights #AddYourVoice #NotForSale #FightHumanTrafficking #ChildLivesMatter #SocialJustice #RiseUpForChildren #AntiHumanTrafficking #EndHumanTrafficking

Day 15 of 28 Moments of #BlackCanadianHistory Juwn shares his love for music and it's therapeutic qualities. He goes on to describe the legendary jazz artist an...d advocate for racial equality, Oscar Peterson, and how he paved the way for so many black musicians in Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknx-56FM6Q See more

Day 14 of 28 Moments of #BlackCanadianHistory, Samuel shares his experiences as a young black person experiencing racism and the history of how Afro-Canadian Church Music began. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImMjxmlIcb4&t=2s

Day 13 of 28 Moments of #BlackCanadianHistory Celeste shares her love for music and its ability to allow the listener to feel a sense of belonging. She introduc...es 3 significant figures in black history, Afua Cooper, Ahdri Zhina Mandiela and Lillian Allen who paved the way for Dub Poetry in Canada and fostered representation of Caribbean women migrating to Toronto. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZvGmSuqiKw&t=1s See more

Sorting, sorting, sorting. The community’s generosity has resulted in the last 4 days with an average of 10 + people working 5+ hours each to sort, box and prep...are food for distribution. A lot of work and we aren’t done yet. Distribution starts next week. Still time to register for the program. Call us at 519-637-0710 to make arrangements. See more

May the glimmer and glow of each candle you light bring blessings and warmth. Happy Hanukkah. #happyhanukkah #happychanukah

Food insecurity - not having enough money to buy food - is a serious public health problem in Ontario. To learn more, visit www.odph.ca

St. Thomas Public Library is taking a huge step in making sure everyone in our community has the same access to library service! Effective December 1, 2020, St.... Thomas Public Library will no longer be charging late fines on overdue items, including books, movies, magazines, and more! Old fines on library accounts have been cleared. A little thank you to our community! Remember, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to return your items! You’re still responsible for anything you borrow, and we’d like you to do your best to return materials on time. For full details about our transition to fine free library service, visit https://stthomaspubliclibrary.ca/fine-free/

FACS Elgin Holiday Sponsorship 2020 It is that time of year again! The long road of 2020 is finally winding into the holiday season and many families will have ...a difficult time finding joy this year. Please visit our website to read further if you would consider supporting those in our community who will be struggling this holiday season. www.caselgin.on.ca

Help keep each other safe. Before leaving for school in the morning, use the COVID-19 School Screening tool to help determine if your children can go to school: covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/

Happy Diwali, the festival of lights, which celebrates the victory of good over evil or the triumph of light over darkness. It is marked by the sharing of boxes of delectable sweets - enjoy! #HappyDiwali Diwali2020

Swiss Chalet in St. Thomas is making a difference! Drop by Swiss Chalet / Harvey’s anytime November 16 through 22, as they team up with Family & Children’s Services of St Thomas and Elgin to raise awareness of the stories and growth of local youth! For every quarter chicken dinner or Harvey’s combo sold, partial proceeds will help support local youth participate in sports, academics or the arts.... #stthomasproud See more

We currently have a youth in need of a foster placement for her pet cat. The youth is moving into a women's residence temporarily until she can find her own pla...ce, which she is diligently working towards. The cat is around five or six years old, has had all his shots, is used to being around a dog. The YWCA has some funding to support the care of this care. She's very close with her cat and hopes to be able to visit if it can be arranged. Please contact us if you can assist in any way. Thanks

Know your treaty terms? Here are 4 common terms you should know when learning about treaties. Ontario.ca/treaties | #TreatyON... Anishinabek Nation | Chiefs of Ontario | Métis Nation of Ontario | Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres - OFIFC | Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA) | Nishnawbe Aski Nation | Ontario Government | City of Toronto - Your Local Government | City Of Kenora | Royal Ontario Museum | McMichael Canadian Art Collection | City of Thunder Bay - Municipal Government, Ontario, Canada | City Of Oakville, Ontario, Canada | City of Mississauga - Municipal Government

#IDressPurpleBecause #DressPurpleDay2020 http://www.oacas.org/dresspurpleday/