The Chestermere Rec Centre gave families with special needs youth an opportunity to connect with other families, and resources in the community through the Friday Night Friends event on Sept. 21.
“It’s an opportunity for the kids to play and the parents to connect with each other,” said the Recreation Program Coordinator Vicki Klinger.
“Sometimes the siblings connect with each other, sometimes having a sibling with special needs is a challenge in itself,” Klinger said.
Eight families came out to the Friday Night Friends event and got to know one another while participating in various activities.
The Canadian Taekwondo College had set up a circuit that the youth could run through, Art on the Lake had a table set up where youth could create art, Inner Equine Journeys was sharing information regarding the services they offer with conducting horse therapy for youth, and Lifepath Wellness was also sharing information about a pediatric dentist, and a nutritionist they offer.
“There are things in our community, but sometimes people aren’t connected,” Klinger added, “This was an opportunity like Energizer Night but more specialized. Instead of having everybody there, this is for people who want to share their programs that are available for families.”
Klinger said she knew Friday Night Friends was an event that was needed in Chestermere once the community began to grow.
“A lot of times families will have a child that has just been diagnosed and this is a good way for them to connect on different levels,” Klinger said.
Friday Night Friends is not only an opportunity for youth to play and connect with their peers, but it’s also a way for parents of special needs youth to connect with each other and give suggestions for places to go and for services that may not be offered in Chestermere but are in Calgary.
“There’s nothing like a parent whose been through it talking to another parent,” Klinger said.
She said that anyone who comes to Friday Night Friends loves the event, however it’s challenging getting the word out to the community.
She added, the Chestermere Rec Centre is willing to do more for the community, such as hosting an activity night or a movie night, but she is unsure of what the community wants.
Right now, the largest challenge is letting the community know that the Rec Centre is willing to host events the community wants to see such as Friday Night Friends.
Klinger added that her goal is to ensure families don’t feel like their alone while overcoming any challenges they are facing.
“For me, it’s about if you can help one family get connected with a program or a service then you’ve done your job,” Klinger said.
The next Friday Night Friends will be help on Jan 18. For more information about Friday Night Friends, or for information on resources offered in the Chestermere area for special needs youth email Vicki Klinger at recreation@chestermerecrca.com.
