HAMILTON, ON – January 24, 2013 – There will be a new addition to the current suite of services being offered at the Beasley Child and Family Centre at Dr. J. Edgar Davey elementary school.
Beginning January 28, a unique partnership by the City of Hamilton, Hamilton Best Start, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) and Wesley Urban Ministries will see the addition of a new Parenting and Family Literacy Centre (PFLC).
Currently, Wesley Urban Ministries operates Beasley Child and Family Centre that offers a range of early years services to families with children from birth to age six. Adding a PFLC, which will be operated by HWDSB, will boost supports for children and parents as they transition toward kindergarten.
The two programs will mean that families will have increased access to early years services and supports. Both programs will give parents the resources to help their children up to six years of age build essential literacy, numeracy and social skills through stories, music and play.
Opened in 2010, Dr. Davey Elementary School and the Beasley Community Centre share a space that has become a community focal point for more than 5,000 Beasley residents. The site offers a range of services including after-school programs, activity space, recreation programs and comprehensive early years supports through the Beasley Child and Family Centre.
The new PFLC at Dr. Davey is among 17 sites across Ontario that the provincial government announced as part of their strategy for supporting youth and families. Currently, Hamilton has 12 PFLC locations operated by the city’s school boards. Centres are free to attend and families do not have to pre-register. For more information on local PFLCs, please visit www.hamilton.ca/beststart or call 905-524-4884.
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Media Contact:
Ann Lamanes
Communications Officer
City of Hamilton
905-546-2424 ext. 7565
ann.lamanes@hamilton.ca
