The South Fort George Family Resource Centre ran a program called Power Play. This family oriented program ran for two hours, a couple days week. Parents brought their children, up to four-years-old, to run off some energy and play with other children.
Mats were set out with toys in the gym specialized for each development stage. I know many parents who used this program regularly, particularly in the winter when it is difficult to get out in the cold. A particular family friend, Mrs. C, has three children, eight-months, three-years and four-years-old. She loves this program because it is the only program in Prince George where she can bring all three of her children and all three children are entertained and run off energy - as opposed to other early education programs, where mom has to be one-on-one with each child.
It is a great community activity.
Recently, Power Play was canceled because the lady who ran the program left.
Mrs. C decided to volunteer for the program.
She used the program all winter anyway, and she could bring all three of her children. She called the South Fort George Family Resource Centre to inquire about running the program. She was denied.
It is the reason for the denial the causes me great concern. I will not go into the resume details and why Mrs. C is fully qualified and capable of running this program, because the South Fort George Family Resource Centre did not even ask.
The position to run Power Play is a paid position and the candidate must be using the social-assistance program of one of the transition houses in Prince George.
Now, I understand hiring processes that allow for equal opportunity, or decisions that are geared towards assisting those in need, but why would you keep an important community program shut down when you can hire on a temporary basis until you fill that need!
As a new mother in Prince George, I am very angry about this decision. I urge other mothers in the community, who care about our community programs, to phone the South Fort George Family Resource Centre.
I urge every mother to question why a temporary replacement could not be allowed in order to get the Power Play Program up and running as quickly as possible.
Darlene Clark
Prince George
