LAKES DISTRICT FAMILY ENHANCEMENT SOCIETY

Mission and vision: The Links' programs and services are aligned to fulfill the Society’s mission and vision. Mission: To enhance the health and socio-economic wellbeing of individuals children and families. Vision: To be responsive to the diverse needs of the communities of the Lakes District through an interconnected hub of services. The Link's hub of services helps tackle the underlying issues that contribute to poverty by building community capacity with a focus on food security and various other supports. Through extensive community partnerships The Link is working to create a 'Community Hub' of services. In working towards the Society's mission and vision all programs and services are inclusive respectful and culturally appropriate with a strong focus on and in collaboration with local First Nations. Ashurst Children’s Centre (ACC) A licensed community daycare facility for children ages 0-6. The children attending the Centre represent a cross section of the Lakes District region from Indigenous to non-indigenous and children from new immigrant families to children needing additional supports. The professionals working in the ACC are committed to continual professional development and training. Community Connections This program provides wrap-around support to build capacity and to connect clients from Link programs as well as other community members with existing services at the Link or with other service provider’s dependent of need. Community Education This subset of The Link focuses on poverty reduction/food security advocacy initiatives and providing FASD & Trauma Informed Practice workshops as well as education for community organizations and groups. Healthy Start Programming includes weekly workshops cooking sessions and individualized support for new and expectant mothers in both Burns Lake and Grassy Plains. The objective of this program is to improve the health and social development of at-risk pregnant women and their children.

Food Centre This program provides emergency food distribution and hot lunches in the Burns Lake area. The Mobile Food Centre delivers emergency food distribution to outlying communities while the Food Share and Loop programs prevent food from going to the landfill. Product that cannot be sold in stores and is fit for human consumption is distributed to clients; all other food products are distributed to local farmers. The community garden/greenhouse grows food for The Food Centre as well as providing education and learning opportunities for local schools and community groups. Seniors Services The Better at Home program helps seniors (65+) with simple day-to-day tasks so that they can continue to live independently in their own homes and remain connected to their communities. The Meals on Wheels program delivers pre-made hot meals to seniors and other homebound adults and the Seniors Transportation program provides bus transport for seniors and people with limited mobility throughout the community. The Seniors Food Security program is a weekly luncheon hosted by The Link providing not only a meal but an opportunity for seniors to meet people and build stronger connections