Generations of Family and Community Support Services workers were gathered under the roof of the Athabasca Regional Multiplex May 10 to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary with a hearty breakfast.
“It’s amazing and it’s a key milestone,” said Joyce Mellott, provincial senior manager for the FCSS program. “It signals the value and longevity of FCSS programming. So many programs come and go and the fact that this one is still going is a testament to its value in the community.”
Over 100 people – including past and present workers, directors and board members – attended the event. FCSS manager Debbie Wood said the breakfast was an opportunity to recognize the agencies, groups and volunteers who have contributed to FCSS over the years.
“This is our opportunity to say thank you because without their contribution FCSS would not exist 50 years later,” she said.
FCSS is a funding partnership between the government of Alberta and participating municipalities. Under the 80/20 model, the province provides resources to local branches who then provide services to their communities.
Locally, Athabasca County, the Town of Athabasca, the Village of Boyle and the Summer Villages of Mewatha, West Baptiste, Sunset Beach and Island Lake South collaborate to provide a wide variety of programs and services. These include the mentorship program, community programming, the Parent Link Centre, early childhood development, meals on wheels, seniors’ advocate, family school liaison, early intervention program for youth and the families matter diversion program.
After breakfast, government dignitaries spoke about the value of FCSS services in the community, all of whom said FCSS goes above and beyond in the level of service it provides to the community.
“I’ve never in my career seen so few do so much for so many,” said Athabasca County Coun. and current FCSS chair Larry Armfelt.
Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colin Piquette said FCSS is one of the best value for money or “bang-for-your-buck” services you can get if you want to help your community.
Jerry Archibald – the first president of FCSS in 1968 when it was still Preventative Social Services – expressed gratitude that local workers had continued to build the program over the past 50 years.
“I’m glad you stuck with the programs in the 90s when there was turbulence and opportunities to opt out,” he said. “You could have opted out and used the money to build a bridge, but you stuck with it and you have a lot to show for it.”
