HEARST – February 16, 2016
The United Way of Cochrane-Timiskaming has made it possible for North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) to partner with the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) to offer opportunities for local families to participate in “Collective Kitchen” 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 Ontario Early Years Centre to prepare simple, healthy ingredients for parents to create delicious, healthy and affordable meals for their families. The workshop will be held on February 16, 2016.
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 $750.00 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 30 years of age) who are registered or participated in Ontario Early Years Programs or Public Health Unit programs/services.
“The main purpose of the Collective Kitchens is to learn together to cook healthy, affordable meals for the whole family using fresh foods that contain the most nutriments possible while keeping the cost as low as possible. The emphasis is placed on simple home cooking that is enjoyable to prepare and to eat using foods that require sometimes a bit more attention for their preparation, but that are worth it economically and nutritionally,” said Jessica Larose, Brighter Futures Community Worker with North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services. “It’s also a great way to socialize and to learn new recipes and techniques from other participants and even form new friendships. With the cost of food on the rise, families enjoy home-cooked foods prepared together at a very reasonable cost and learn tips and techniques necessary to do it on their own later on at home.”
“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 Rachele 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, as well as other 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.
Media Contacts:
Brooke Ballantyne
Communications Coordinator, North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services
705-360-7100, poste/extension 5217
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
Phone: 705-360-7100, poste/extension 5029
Jessica Larose
Ontario Early Years Centre and Brighter Futures Coordinator
Brighter Futures Community Support Worker / travailleuse communautaire Grandir Ensemble
Hearst Campus / bureau de Hearst
705-372-2445, poste/extension 6006
Joelle Zorzetto BSc, Dt.P. / RD
Public Health Dietitian | Diététiste en santé publique
Bureau de santé Porcupine Health Unit |1403 rue Edward St C.P. | P.O. Box 2470|Hearst, ON P0L1N0
705-362-4854, poste poste/extension 4111
Joelle.Zorzetto@porcupinehu.on.ca
W. Jean Warren M.Ed.
Executive Director
United Way Cochrane-Timiskaming
P.O. Box 984, Timmins, ON P4N 7H6
705-268-9696