Fresh Start Support Services
118 Centre St. N5R 2Z9 Saint Thomas, ON, Canada

Our Mother's Day Baby Bottle Drive begins next Sunday, May 9th! We will be hosting a virtual drive again this year, due to Covid-19. Donations can be made on Facebook, by sending an e-transfer to [email protected], on our website at www.fsms.ca/babybottledrive or by mailing donations directly to Fresh Start.

A great reminder... Happy Friday!

Play I Spy with your child and use colours, shapes, rhyming words, and letter sounds as your clues! This builds your child’s vocabulary and critical thinking ...skills and gets them used to the different sounds in language that will help them with reading later on! Source: https://www.vbgov.com//1000%20Books%20Early%20Literacy%20T See more

EarlyON St. Thomas - Elgin's Infant Massage 4 week series begins on Thursday, May 6th. Check out their post below for details on how to register.

We are hosting a virtual Breastfeeding Essentials class presented by Lactation Consultant, Taya Griffin, on Tuesday, May 18th and would love for you to join us online! This is a five hour evidence-based course that is essential for doulas, midwives, nurses, naturopaths and other health care professionals working with expecting and new mothers. The course will run from 9am - 2pm and the cost for registration is $35/person. Spots are limited. To register or for more information about the course and Lactation Consultant, Taya Griffin, please visit our website at www.fsms.ca/breastfeedingessentials.

Help us fill our virtual baby bottle this Thanksgiving! Beginning today, October 4th until next Sunday, October 11th you can support our drive by donating any of the following ways: 1. Click the Donate button on this post to donate through Facebook using PayPal Giving Fund... 2. Send an e-transfer to [email protected] 3. Donate through our website at www.fsms.ca/babybottledrive Together, let's fill our virtual baby bottle so that more moms and babies can receive early parenting interventions and continue to live together at Fresh Start and in the community.

Today is #funfactfriday! Last year was a great year for babies first steps. We had the honour of witnessing three babies here at Fresh Start take their first steps. It is always such an exciting thing to see first hand!!

Don't forget that our Thanksgiving Baby Bottle Drive begins this Sunday, October 4th! Make sure to spread the word and help us fill our virtual baby bottle so that we can continue to provide a safe environment and extensive support to the pregnant and parenting women in our community who face challenges related to addictions, mental health issues, abuse, and homelessness. This year, instead of handing out individual baby bottles, donations can be made online through Facebook, by visiting our website at www.fsms.ca/babybottledrive or by sending an e-transfer to [email protected].

Encourage your child to find natural objects that make sounds. They might find a leaf that makes a crunching sound or a rock that makes a noise when dropped. Ta...lk back and forth about the different sounds you hear and explore what other sounds you can make with different objects. As your child listens to the different sounds natural objects make, they're learning to compare things and put them into categories. These are important skills they will use in math, science, and reading. They're also practicing listening and paying attention to details. Source: vroom.org See more

Join our board! We are looking for experienced board members that have skills and experience in policy development, human resources, legal matters and finances. Board member terms are two years. If you’re interested in learning more about board membership, please email Carla at [email protected].

Our Thanksgiving Baby Bottle Drive begins this Sunday, October 4th! This thanksgiving, instead of handing out baby bottles to be filled with change or cheques, all donations to our drive can be made online through our website, Facebook page or by sending e-transfers to [email protected] from Sunday, October 4th to Sunday, October 11th. To learn more about our Baby Bottle Drive, please visit our website at www.fsms.ca/babybottledrive.

Job 34:32 - "Lord, teach me what I cannot see."

Another #funfactfriday today! Did you know that last year we purchased $8,500 worth of groceries for the women and children who lived at Fresh Start?

Here is another great activity from EarlyOn Child and Family Centre - St. Thomas Elgin to do at home with your little ones. Helping your child to recognize and name letters will build a strong foundation that will benefit them later in life when it comes to reading and writing.

A nature walk with your child provides so many opportunities for learning! Have your child gather leaves of different colours, sizes, or shapes! This can help your child understand basic numeracy concepts like bigger vs. smaller, putting things in order, or matching.

#TestimonialTuesday

School is different this year. Talk to your kids and encourage them to ask lots of questions, even if you don't have all the answers. Check out Children’s Mental Health Ontario’s Back to School Mental Health Kit for tips and resources. https://cmho.org/back-to-school/

Psalm 145:9 - "The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made."

Today is #funfactfriday! Did you know that throughout 2019, Fresh Start supported 17 mothers in their goals of parenting their children? Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of these women and their children!

Check out this fun activity from EarlyOn Child and Family Centre - St. Thomas Elgin that you can do at home with your little ones. It gives your children a chance not only to explore letters but the letters in their names!

A great literacy tip for your toddlers from St. Thomas Public Library!

We want to say a big thank you to Elgin Exterior Renovations Inc for replacing our leaky roof with a beautiful new flat roof! Check out the before and after photos below. Didn't they do an amazing job?

Psalm 23:6 - "So why should I fear the future? For your goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life."

Today is #funfactfriday! Did you know that last year, there was 8,760 hours of staff support for the women and children at Fresh Start?

At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened. Learning Objectives of the Training:... Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read the emotional needs Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions Enhance the development of your child's self esteem Honor your innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure To get more information and to register, please go to fsms.ca.

Visit Southwestern Public Health's COVID-19 School Support web page to find resources and support for Parents, Caregivers and Educators: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/covid19schools.