Can you believe it? Mission Community Services (MCS) has since been here for 39 years. What started out as an agency in 1972 with five programs, has now expanded to 30 programs with over 80 staff at six locations.
The programs now include services for seniors, children, youth and family, multicultural, mental health, and emergency services. Within each of these categories there are many individual programs.
Here are a few stories of what folks have to say:
• In December the two Crapo children Noah, six, and Isaac, four, had a joint birthday party, and instead of receiving gifts from family and friends, they asked that folks donate to MCS. Consequently, the boys were able to bring $185 to the Christmas Bureau. Their mother, Melissa, believes that by this selfless act she was showing Noah and Isaac that it is sometimes better to give than to receive. The staff and volunteers were very impressed by the generosity that the boys had shown at such a young age.
• “I am very pleased to write this letter to MCS in order to focus on their Meals on Wheels program. I am currently a participant in this program in that I receive weekly meal delivery services and have received great benefit from this excellent service for approximately a year. The program provides ample servings of nutritious food at a very satisfactory cost. In addition, the delivery service is handled by reliable, friendly and courteous drivers. In summary, Mission Community Services is to be commended and thanked for their organization and services in making their Meals on Wheels program a success.”
• “My sessions with the counsellor of the Family Development Response Program gives me the ability to deal with my childhood, my ex-marriage, and to healthily move on to a positive future.”
• “I came to Nobody’s Perfect to interact with other parents and have my child play with other children. I enjoyed meeting other families and hearing about different peoples parenting experiences and other methods of parenting.”
These are just a few examples of what people tell us. This tells the story that MCS is a great asset and a definite benefit to the community. Without MCS, the financial drain on the District of Mission to help and to accommodate individuals and families would be tremendous. To find out more, visit www.missioncommunityservices.com.
MCS will be celebrating Community Services Week, April 24-30. Chances Boardwalk Gaming will be holding a special night on April 30. A $5 donation will be matched by Chances when you play bingo that night, and the money will be donated to the senior’s programs.
Your donation gets you a buffet dinner at 5:30 p.m., bingo, door prizes, and a goody bag. Even if you have never played bingo before, no worries, there will be staff there to assist you. Tickets may be purchased at MCS, 33179 Second Ave. or call 604-826-3634.
- Submitted by Carolyn Janousek, fund development officer for MCS