A new Daycare in Regina

A new Daycare in Regina
By Ryan Sang, with files from Nancy Carlson and Pamela Cowan (Leader-Post),
Global Regina News
A huge weight has been lifted off the shoulders of some parents in Regina.

The Little Souls Daycare at 1475 Athol St. opens on Monday, alleviating waiting lists as long as two years for other daycare centres.

"There's a waiting list of several hundred parents for sure," Michelle Porter said. Porter is the executive director of the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.

The cost of the daycare ranges from $500 to $700 a month. The centre received around $200,000 in funding from the provincial government to open its doors.

"The province was true to it's commitment," Ken Krawetz said. Krawetz is the Minister of Education.

In the 2009 spring budget, the government said it wished to increase the number of daycare spots by 1000, bringing the total to 11,400. Krawetz said the 1000 spots will be allocated by March 31, 2010.

Amber Shiplack is a working mother and has been looking for a daycare since her son came into the world 18 months ago.

"To balance everything is sometimes impossible," Shiplack said. "I'm just grateful to have something like this."

On Friday, Porter said 30 slots were still open.

Little Souls Daycare seeks children

Little Souls Daycare seeks children
by Pamela Cowen,
Leader Post

REGINA — Regina parents have a rare opportunity — if they act immediately.

The Little Souls Daycare could have as many as 30 child-care openings available when it opens at 1475 Athol Street on Monday, said Michelle Porter, executive director of the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission (SHRM).

But getting the word out to parents is frustrating Porter.

Despite many Regina daycares having lengthy waiting lists, Porter said their staff cannot share the names of families who are waiting for daycare spots because of privacy constraints.

"We have 60 spots in total," she said Thursday. "We take children for a day, we take part-timers and we take full-timers — we even take infants and there's a huge need in the city for infant care."

In July, the province gave $201,600 to Souls Harbour Rescue Mission — one of five Regina agencies that received government funding to set up daycares.

The funding followed the provincial government's promise in the 2009 budget to create 1,000 child-care spaces in Saskatchewan by the end of March 2010.

When the funding was announced, Porter said many people who attend SHRM programs had difficulty finding child care because some child-care centres had two-year waiting lists.

Although the licensed daycare is located in North Central, children of all ages from throughout the city are welcome to attend and Porter emphasized the Little Souls Daycare is not an outreach program for poor families.

"Everyone is going to be a paying customer — but some may require subsidies; it just depends on your income level," Porter said.

She said the Athol Street daycare's rates are on par with what is charged in the city's other daycare centres and the 10 staff members are fully certified in Early Childhood Education.

The daycare's rates range from $425 a month for after-school care to $750 a month for infants.

"It's an open concept daycare so what that means is that we don't have a room for every age group — we're mingling them so that it's more family oriented," Porter said. "All of the food is cooked onsite and (the building) is handicapped-accessible."

She's delighted a 25-foot tipi will be erected permanently in the middle of the 10,000-square-foot daycare.

"This will divide the space into quarters," she said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

Parents interested in learning more can call the daycare director, Mandy Bull, at 543-0011.

"The places are open immediately," Porter said. "We're ready when they are."

Please Come to our Little Souls Daycare Indoor Picnic Grand Opening Tomorrow Morning!

Come join us for an Indoor Picnic as we celebrate the
Grand Opening of “Little Souls Daycare.”


Friday, January 29, 2010
10:00 a.m.
1475 Athol Street*, Regina, SK


You are invited to the official opening of Little Souls Daycare; a new ministry of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. Little Souls Daycare will begin operating on Feb 1, 2010, with 60 subsidized placements available to the public. The morning’s agenda will include dignitaries, a cake cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m., and a “piñata” and hotdog lunch at 11:00 a.m.

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission thanks the following partners:

• Government of Saskatchewan
• Affinity Credit Union and personnel including: the Board of Directors, Rich Harries (Community Development Manager) and Kevin Haas (Scarth Street Branch Manager)
• Rona Home & Garden (daycare kitchen donation)
• Elision Technologies (project management)
• Rev Ken & Michelle Porter, Founding Directors, Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission


* Corner of Dewdney Avenue & Athol Street


For information call Joseph Miller 501-7270

Media Release: Little Souls Daycare Grand Opening & Indoor Picnic

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR Friday, January 29th, 2010 10:00 a.m.
CONTACT: Michelle Porter
PHONE: 543-0011

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission, in partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan & AFFINITY CREDIT UNION presents the Grand Opening of Little Souls Daycare!

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Join parents, children, & friends for an indoor picnic as we dedicate Little Souls Daycare!

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WHAT: This is the official opening of the brand new, Little Souls Daycare: a 60 placement subsidized daycare. The morning’s agenda will include a variety of guest dignitaries, a cake cutting ceremony, a “pinata,” and a hotdog lunch to follow.

WHO: This event is open to all media, the families of Little Souls Daycare, all project relevant trades people, and the public in general.

WHEN: Friday, January 29th, 2010 – 10:00 am
(Media can arrive at 9:40 am for early interviews with families and 10 new daycare staff members.)

WHERE: 1475 Athol Street, Regina, Saskatchewan
(Corner of Dewdney Avenue & Athol Street)

WHY: Little Souls Daycare is the end product of a collective vision, through the partnering of government, foundations, organizations, and numerous individuals, to address the need for subsidized daycare here in the City of Regina.

PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• 9:40 am – Little Souls Daycare is open, children will be playing and parents will be available for interview opportunities.
• Honourable Ken Krawetz, Minister of Education, speaking at 10:00 am
• Affinity Credit Union personal will be preparing and serving the early lunch.
• Rev Ken & Michelle Porter, Founding Directors and visionaries of Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission, can talk about the continuum of care that the Mission provides to Regina’s less fortunate.

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission is celebrating it’s 20th year of operation, and is an amalgamation of Souls Harbour Soup Kitchen, and Regina RESCUE. We offer a full continuum of care through 7 different facilities, providing food, clothing and shelter, life changing programs, subsidized daycare and the Gospel Message to those in need.

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Snow Day!

RIGHT: A man and woman are snowblowing my street this morning! How generous is that?!

There is usually at least one blizzard a year that keeps half the staff from being able to go to work. Today is the day. The timing, of course, is never great. This Friday is our Grand Opening Celebration at our brand new Little Souls Daycare, and we are nowhere near ready. We need to hire workers, fill children's slots, & finish assembling the furniture & play structures. All those last minute details, added onto one snow day, means some late nights for us as staff later in the week!

Rebecca, our LifeChange Program Manager, declared it a SNOW DAY for the 30+ residents at the campus. While Jack and Paula enjoy a month in Florida, Becca is also campus manager, which means looking after details for the 2 buildings which house our program, administrative teams, & Good News Chapel. Oh, and while Erin is enjoying beautiful BC, Becca is also the Women & Family Home resident manager. Yup. That's right. Three hats and a blizzard.

Aaron, our Emergency Services Manager, is making sure all 300 meals get served today. We normally cook all our food, banquet style, at the Soup Kitchen, and transport it to several facilities. Today the van has been decommissioned, so each location is responsible for their own cooking. It is Aaron's job to coordinate that.

Several staff are snowed in, including Mandy, our Little Souls Daycare Director. Today, she is working from home, recruiting & interviewing potential staff, informing folks of our 30 available licensed daycare slots, & preparing a to do list for us so we can all make the rest of the week smoother and ready for our grand opening on Friday, and our first day of kids next Monday!

This morning Mandy spoke on The Dog's Breakfast to promote our January Toy Drive. Brad Grass said that now they know she lives two blocks away they might call her in on a moment's notice for any storm stayed guests who can't make it this week!

We're thankful for some staff who live within walking distance who have saved the day: Rebecca, Rae, & Ruby, for instance! Others are not so lucky. While representing us at a missions conference at Millar College of the Bible, Intern Stephanie and LifeChange Program Intern, Theresa, have been storm stayed! Donovan, in charge of all construction on the St. Andrews project for our daycare and youth centre, got a flat tire this morning, and Derrick, who is the only office staff not storm stayed, has to go to emergency for a bout of gout! When it rains, it pours. When it snows, it blizzards!

Most of all, please remember the homeless in your prayers at this time. Our January Cold Weather Shelter appeal is out and we are asking for a generous financial response. We turn no one away this time of year, as the consequences can be fatal. Our Mens & Womens Emergency Shelters house singles, families and children who would otherwise be sleeping in cars or who knows where. And please don't forget to make an extra donation to help Haiti, via the relief organization of your choice. They're fate is far worse than a winter storm.

Sunday Bonus Blog

This morning I had a rather hilarious facebook encounter, which is the preamble to the following cartoon. If it gives you a giggle, friend me on facebook at www.facebook.com/MissionMusings!

Michelle's Status: The Rev called and told me not to come to church. WHAT??!! So, I have settled in at home, catching up on emails, enjoying homemade French toast--I am very good at making French toast--with real Canadian maple syrup from Quebec, and Kona coffee from Vern & Sherry Mebs. Life is good.

Kristen Bair Hink: And Canadian ham/bacon, too?

Me: lol. Nope, sadly, I'm off pork. How to Shed 10 years in 10 Weeks, remember? lol.

Michael Towers: That must be awkward having your husband call you up and tell you to not come to church! :)

Darryl Darwent: Just heard on the Mother Channel (CBC) that Regina has a honest blizzard going on (I don't know what a dishonest blizzard is so let go with that). Lucky you.

Me: The Mother Channel?!?! LOL!! I'm totally stealing that, Darryl!!

Michael, Ken's always enticing me to go to church by giving me bits of his sermon, etc. This morning I told him it looked likke a blizzard. It's not a blizzard; it's a light snow!" he replied. Then he shovelled a path to the garage so I would have not excuses to skip. Next thing you know, he calls me up and says, "Don't comel. It's a blizzard out there!

Darryl Darwent:I don't know if you are familiar with the comic strip Betty by Delainey and Rasmussen (from Edmonton). I wish I could send today's Sunday edition. I think it would fit the bill for the morning you are having.

The Dream of Little Souls Daycare

Today Derrick gave a tour to a group of Alliance women from across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. When they came to our new facility, the old St. Andrews United Church, I had a chance to talk and laugh with them. They easily caught our passion about the expansion into prevention through daycare and a youth centre. I must admit, it is pretty contagious when you see everything developing right before your eyes! When we entered into the Little Souls Daycare area, we greeted a group from Nipiwin Bible College , who were working to construct all the tiny toys and equipment needed to get a daycare started!
The concept for the Little Souls Daycare is a safe, fun place to spend the day away from home. It's an open plan floor design, divided into quadrants, where children of all ages can run freely and interact with one another.Quadrant 1: Indoor Playground
This is where the indoor play structures live, the make-believe furniture for dolls -- pretend kitchen, cradle, etc - and the dress-up costume area is. Kids get to run free and be rambunctious here.

Quadrant 2: Sensory Area
This is where kids can play on water and sand tables, learn through touch and be messy, as kids love to be! This is also our music central station, where kids can express themselves through love of music and song!

Quadrant 3: Eating & Craft Area
This is where the kids can gear down and work on crafts, finger painting, puzzles and of course, eat their lunch and two snacks a day! We developed our menu today, and on it is healthy foods using whole grains and a lot of fruit.

Quadrant 4: Quiet Area
This is where the TV and books reside. Think of it a giant living room. We'll keep quiet moving pictures on the TV, such as animals or scenery, have special movie times, (Yay, Veggie Tales!) and, for the most part, kids will use this area to rest and read. It's a no talking zone because it's right next to the bonus quadrant--

Quadrant 5: Baby Area
We have room for 6 infants, and their sleeping quarters and baby paraphernalia are located in the far back room. This is where the change tables are, and the rocking chairs for putting baby to sleep or giving baby a bottle.

Please join us at 10:00 am on Friday, January 29th, for our grand opening celebration and indoor picnic. Bring your children as our our brand new licenced daycare staff will be out in full force to provide childcare! Instead of a ribbon cutting, we're doing a pinata breaking! All are welcome to attend.

The January Toy Drive has been kicked off, and we have expanded it to include basic craft supplies, so clean out your cupboards! We need rice, macaroni, buttons, tape, scissors, bits of cloth, string, wool... you name it, we need it!

We are still hiring a few more staff, so if you have a love for the Lord and for children, please call Mandy Bull at 543-0011. She'll let you know how you can apply to join our missionary team. We have half our slots filled, so are looking for 30 children to make Little Souls Daycare complete. Please pass the word and this blog post at will! In one short week, this Little Souls dream will be a reality!

The Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda today.

Back in Jesus' day, there was a man by the pool of Bethesda for nearly 40 years, waiting for healing. Traditionally, as the waters would get stirred up, one would dip themselves in, expectant of a miracle. Jesus walked up to this man, and said, "Don't you want to be made whole?"

He did, of course, but replied, "I have no one to put me into the water."

That's what we do at the Mission. We help people into the healing waters of a changed life. They have to want it. And we don't actually make the change for them. It's a lot of hard work on their part, and much prayer and patience on ours.

No one wants to touch the men and women with palsy. The ones full of sin, and lives that have been tainted with things that most of us wouldn't want to go near, much less hear about.

And so our RESCUE team, a committed group of staff members and volunteers, agree to sacrifice their own time and conveniences, not only to touch the ones with palsy, but to enter into their world and offer them a changed life.

*Psalm 103:1-5*

I've been under the weather lately, and was encouraged to receive a blessing from our newest staff member, Mandy Bull, who is our Assistant Director at Little Souls Daycare. She makes a wonderful addition to our RESCUE team!

Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me,
bless HIS holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

-I hope that encourages you...I know that I find strength in the Word when I feel like I can't take another step forward! God bless Michelle!

~Mandy

I work with such a wonderful group of people!

A Call to Christians in the City

Planning to go. Willing to stay.
Anywhere. Anytime. Anyway.
Lord, I am ready.

Silver and gold have I none,
but such as I have
I give to Thee.

Here I am Lord! Send me!

January Toy Drive

January Toy Drive

for our grand opening of
Little Souls Daycare!

Drop your new or gently used toys, books, puzzles & games to 3535-8th Ave.

Open 24 hours and weekends. Call Jennifer for more info. 543-0011.

Man's Best Friend

You've no doubt heard the expression, "man's best friend." Perhaps you've seen today's news story about the golden retriever that saved the life of an 11 year old boy, by fending off a cougar in the backyard.

Our collie, Trixie, found my sister, who was 2, toddling around the woods, and alerted my parents that she had wandered off at the cottage. This is real life Littlest Hobo stuff!

This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:12-13

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. -1 John 3:16-17

How far would you go for a friend?

Don't be a victim of your thought life

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
-Unknown

Health advocates like to tell us we are what we eat, but in reality, we are what we think.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7a

If you're wondering what kind of study you should start 2010 off with, consider your thought life.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

When we get a grip on our thought life, on the internal head-banging, as it were, the life we live out in the flesh will be one that is far more redeeming and full of grace.

Those resolutions you've planned... have you considered attacking them from the inside out?

Turning resolutions into reality

Turning resolutions into reality
Joe Couture,
Leader Post, Regina

For many, a new year means resolving to improve. In Regina, there are options to help make resolutions realities.

Tanya Shkopich, regional manager of California Fitness, said staff at the company's three Regina gyms always see increases in guest participation and in new memberships after the calendar is new.

The gyms have specials at this time of the year to encourage new folks to visit.

"Obviously, quite a few motivated people are walking through the door having New Year's resolutions and goals they'd like to achieve," she said. "Some people do stick around. You do get some of the people that come for a few months, but then they start to dwindle."

Anyone new to one of the three gyms will be taken through a quick, full-body workout in order to become familiar and comfortable with all of the equipment. They will be provided a program.

"Seek a professional for optimum results," added Shkopich, noting personal training is available at all the facilities.

Dawna Wiebe, manager of sport and recreation for the City of Regina, said the city sees "quite an increase" in drop-ins and class attendance at all three of its major leisure centres every time it's a new year. Last January, over 50,000 people went through leisure centre doors. That compares to a monthly average in the neighbourhood of 40,000.

"I would actually think New Year's resolutions do make a difference," said Wiebe. "We notice quite a substantial increase ... People want to get healthy -- right after Christmas is a good time."

The city also has promotions going on in January to encourage facility use. On personal trainers, she noted people can call the Fieldhouse to arrange sessions.

Though some resolve to get in shape, others resolve to volunteer more -- and the need for volunteers is always significant, according to both Michelle Porter of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission and Tracey Mann of the United Way Regina.

Many people volunteer at Christmas, but the needs continue into the new year. Volunteering options often can be flexible, and they provide benefits to both the volunteer and the organization that he or she is helping out, Mann said.

The United Way maintains an online database of volunteer opportunities in the city -- there are more than 300 positions posted for many different places.

Porter noted Souls Harbour alone needs all sorts of help with its many programs, especially at the year's start.

"Generally, people forget we exist in January," Porter said, with a laugh. "We need tons of volunteers; we're so short."
Some people resolve to get better organized and professional services are available to help with any kinds of organizing needs. Susan McCune is one of only a handful of professional organizers in Regina registered with the national association representing the job.

"Regina is not a hotbed for professional organizers," she said, noting she attributes that to an "agrarian mentality" in the city. But the practice of hiring a professional organizer is big in bigger cities, she said. Organizers work with clients to meet the individual needs they identify.

January isn't a busy time for McCune, she said, noting she tends to see an increase in interest in the spring and fall.

Some people resolve to cut back on drinking in a new year. David Morris, a spokesman for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, said January is "typically the slowest month for sales on the whole," but said it's "difficult to say what impact New Year's resolutions would have" as there are a number of other reasons for a January slowdown.

"Many people purchase more in November and December in preparation for the holiday season," he said. "December is by far our busiest month of the year. Another thing that really has an impact on our sales is the weather."

My 3 Words for 2010

I love when things can be simplified, yet still contain clarity, force and purpose. This blog caught my eye: My 3 Words for 2010, by Chris Brogan.

Setting goals is what January 1st is all about. Over the last few years, I’ve practiced something I call “my 3 words,” where I come up with three words that I use as guidance for how I should conduct my efforts in the year to come. I set goals around these three words. I build deadlines and projects around these words. Ecosystems, Owners, Kings These words sit above the actual goals, and set your guiding principles in place. The words I use have larger meaning than the word itself.

I like that the three words are personal, and privately meaningful, yet can still convey a certain strength when shared.

My 3 Words for 2010:

1. Vision - Continue to set the vision and be the key visionary for http://www.SoulsHarbourRescueMission.org. This involves letting go and letting others rise to the occasion of leadership in their own right.

2. Decade - I'm at the start of a new decade, both in date and age. This year will be used as preparation in anticipation of how I will dedicate the next 10 years of my life.

3. Adventure - Never lose sight of that entrepreneurial spirit of risk-taking and embracing life and all it has to offer.

Happy New Year!