The United Way Cochrane – Timiskaming has made it possible for North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) to partner with the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) and the Lord’s Kitchen to offer opportunities for local, young families to participate in, “Cooking Matters” workshops.
“United Way Cochrane – Timiskaming is pleased to be able to support community partnerships and collaboration. The funds provided by our donors contribute to helping people build stronger, healthier communities. The funds supporting NEOFACS “Cooking Matters” project are helping with issues relating to food security, teen parenting, poverty, and the healthy development of young children. These are critical to building a better tomorrow for Timmins and area.” Said the United Way Cochrane – Timiskaming Board President, Bill Greenberg.
Staff from NEOFACS and the PHU will gather at the Lord’s Kitchen in Timmins to prepare simple, healthy ingredients for parents to create delicious, healthy and affordable meals for their families. The workshops will run on Tuesday November 10th, Tuesday November 24th and Tuesday December 8th.
“Food skills are an important step in healthy eating. Preparing foods ourselves, as well as teaching our children food skills, are great ways to get families excited about nutrition, all while controlling the ingredients in our food.” said Victoria Hall, Public Health Dietitian with the Porcupine Health Unit.
United Way’s Community Partnership Grant Program is designed to support charities through the provision of sustainable solutions to identified community opportunities. Their contribution of $7790.00 in funding for the “Cooking Matters” workshops will help a dozen young families learn how to prepare wholesome meals for their young children.
The current “Cooking Matters” workshops were offered to young parents (teens to 30years of age) who are registered or participated in Ontario Early Years Programs or Public Health Unit programs/services.
“Our programs and services are responsive to the needs of our communities. We are always looking for opportunities to provide support to parents and to develop and offer programs for young children to ensure they have the best possible start in life.” Said Rachèle Pelletier, Ontario Early Years Centre and Brighter Futures Coordinator with North Eastern Ontario and Family and Children’s Services. “Preparing wholesome food that promotes healthy development is an obvious outcome of these workshops, a little less obvious is the opportunity for quality time that goes along with the meal preparation. It is a chance for families to connect and spend valuable time together.”
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About NEOFACS North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is an integrated agency, providing services to children, youth and their families in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming. Our client responsive programs and services are innovative, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve.
Our Agency provides Child Welfare, Children’s Mental Health, Youth Justice and Prevention programs such as Brighter Futures and The Ontario Early Years Program. NEOFACS is a non-profit charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose funding is received primarily from the Ministry of Children & Youth Services. Several other funders support programs as well.
For further information, please contact:
Media Contact:
Brooke Ballantyne
Communications Coordinator, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services
Phone: 705-360-7100 ext. 5217
Email: brooke.ballantyne@neofacs.org
Rachèle Pelletier
Ontario Early Years Centre and Brighter Futures Coordinator
Coordinatrice du Centre de développement de la petite enfance de l'ontario
et l'initiative grandir ensemble
Timmins Campus / bureau de Timmins
705-360-7100 poste/extension 5029
Victoria Hall BSc, RD
Public Health Dietitian | Diététiste en santé publique
Bureau de santé Porcupine Health Unit|169 Pine St S P.O. Box 2012 |Timmins, ON P4N 8B7
Tel. /Tél. 705.267.1181 ext 2357 |Fax 705.264.3980 |Toll Free/Sans frais : 1.800.461.1818
Email/Courriel : victoria.hall@porcupinehu.on.ca
Jean Warren M.Ed.
Executive Director
United Way Cochrane – Timiskaming
P.O. Box 984 Timmins ON P4N 7H6
Tel. 705.268.9696