I will start this week’s column with a thank you to Barbara Campbell and Julie Shepperd for letting me know there is a service to the community called the POP (Pregnancy Outreach Program).
It is funded by the Northern Health Authority and Public Health Agency of Canada.
POP is support for new moms and dads and is situated quietly on 1st Avenue in Smithers. Referrals are not necessary and its outreach includes individuals who are pregnant, hopeful, families with babies and young children, adoptive parents, foster parents, dads, partners and caregivers.
When Julie was new to town it was a quiet, safe place to go and sit with others. To drink a relaxing cup of tea.
POP has a network of professional assistance that includes registered nurses, a holistic nutritionist and support workers. Its setting is confidential and informal.
Because of POP’s commitment to be a safe and confidential drop-in spot, I can only tell of the wonderful feeling of watching a toddler push around a new-found toy as she sits on a carpet at mom’s feet.
The centre has a little kitchen to help moms prepare baby's first solid food or meals to take home. All of the employees have their Food Safe certification.
Members of the community have taken notice of what POP is offering. Evelyn Detsch has made dozens of quilts and Barb Campbell has knitted stuffies to tuck into them and they keep POP in mind to be a recipient.
But this program needs to secure funding as well.
If you are a professional or client either in the past or present, who would be interested in filling out a survey to assist with getting aid from the Public Health Agency of Canada you can contact POP by email, smitherspop@nsdp.ca; or Facebook, Smithers Pregnancy Outreach Program; by text at 250-643-9689; or, if you prefer give them a call 250-847-9477.
As well as workshops and one-on-one support, POP has a lending library; pregnancy and baby clothing exchange, food vouchers and Farmer’s Market coupons.
All family structures are welcome at the Pregnancy Outreach Program. It is client-focused to meet the needs in this community of people and their young families.
If you have items for this column please email sonja.lester.b.c@gmail.com or phone 250-847-4414.
