The West Heights Inclusive Neighbourhood (WHIN) project held a special, standing room only 10 year celebration at West Heights Community School at the end of March.
Ten years ago, WHIN was born as a collaborative project between the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and School District #75. It offers a variety of family-focused programs in a safe and supervised place.
In 2011, the WHIN project expanded to Ecole Mission Central Elementary under the umbrella of Mission Neighbourhood Learning Centres (MNLC). Currently, families have access to programs that include: ABC 123 – an early literacy program, Food, Fun & Family – a healthy cooking program, parenting courses and the after school program Wharp.
The many contributors to the success of WHIN and MNLC were acknowledged including Donna Archibald (project coordinator) and Kim Biggs (Wharp supervisor). School District #75 and MCFD were thanked for their ongoing support allowing staff to provide programming and family involvement in a warm supportive environment.
Other guests celebrating the anniversary included Mayor Randy Hawes, John Fitzsimmons (MCFD community service manager), assistant superintendent of SD#75 Randy Huth, Laura Wilson (ECD committee coordinator), Jackie Hultman (first WHIN coordinator), Jean Hooge (constituency assistant for MLA Simon Gibson), Mark Duyns (constituency assistant for MLA Marc Dalton), trustees Tracy Loffler and Shelley Carter, principal Tina Phelps (West Heights Community School), principal Karen Greaux (Ecole Mission Central) and many more.