Groups, Programs, and Workshops

A wide variety of services, programs, and workshops available to the community through direct service and/or in partnerships with other social agencies.

Upcoming FCSS Programs and Workshops

Please note: Program registration information is located under each drop-down.

Financial Literacy with Credit Counselling Society

January 2023 - January 2024

Please note: All sessions will be held virtually

Topic	Date	Time
Part 1 – Psychology of Spending When it comes to getting consumers to make purchases, marketers have spent countless dollars and time towards understanding human behavior. Participants will learn about various marketing techniques and strategies to resist temptation.	March 8, 2023	7-8pm
Part 2 – Psychology of Saving We know saving money will give us financial security for the future. Even so, we are still tempted to spend our money now instead of putting it away. Why do we do this? Participants in this course will learn about how human beings are naturally inclined to spend and learn different strategies to counter those basic instincts in order to secure their financial future.	March 15, 2023	7-8pm
The Truth about Credit Participants will learn about the myths around credit, the facts around credit reports, credit ratings, and credit scores alongside strategies on how to protect or repair their credit.	April 12, 2023	7-8pm
Food and Finance Details on this session coming soon...	September 20, 2023	7-8pm
Christmas without Credit Details on this session coming soon...	October 11, 2023	7-8pm
75 Ways to Save Details on this session coming soon...	November 15, 2023	7-8pm
Holiday Money Hangover Details on this session coming soon...	January 17, 2024	7-8pm

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

Friday, March 10 & Saturday, March 11

Suicide first-aid. A two-day, skills-based workshop for intervening with a person at risk of suicide.

Learning objectives:

Recognize that caregivers and persons at risk are affected by a personal and societal attitudes about suicide
Discuss suicide with a person at risk in a direct manner
Identify risk alerts and develop a safe plan related to them
Demonstrate the skills required to intervene with a person at risk of suicide

When: March 10 & 11 @ 8:30am - 4:30pm
Where: Fort Saskatchewan Community Hall, Normandy Room

Course: #13542
Cost: $65

For questions, please contact: 780-992-6267 | FCSSInfo@fortsask.ca

Disclosure Training

Wednesday, March 22

presented by the Saffron Centre

Disclosure Training teaches attendees to recognize common signs of distress in others and how to properly approach a conversation when they notice trauma symptoms. We discuss active listening techniques and what is and is not appropriate to say when receiving a disclosure of sensitive information. The legal responsibilities of the person(s) receiving the disclosure are covered, including managing child sexual abuse disclosures. We finish by discussing self-care and debriefing techniques for attendees to use and share with one another.

When: March 22 @ 7pm
Where: Dow Centennial Centre, Scotiabank Room

Lunch and Learn: Children Services

Wednesday, April 12

Hybrid: In-person and Virtual

Learn about changes to Intake and our local office
Meet some of the staff and ask us questions

When: Wednesday, April 12 @ 12-1pm
Where: City Hall, Lang Room and Teams

Introduction to Navigating Your Way Through Grief

Friday, April 21

In-person workshop

Topics covered:

Grief and Mourning
Common Grief Responses
Myths about Grief
Healing your Broken Heart
Where to turn for Help

When: Friday, April 21
Where: Pioneer House (10102 100 Ave)
Cost: Free

Drop in. Registration is not required.

Caregiver Support Group

Do you care for an aging parent, spouse, friend or other person close to you? You are a caregiver. Would you like to connect with other people in similar situations?

Join us for sharing of experience and resources once per month to learn from one another in a safe, supportive environment.

For more information, contact 780-992-6623.

Dragonfly Support Group

A monthly group for parents whose children face mental health challenges.

This groups is a safe and supportive place for parents and caregivers to:

share challenges and concerns
learn and grow as a caregiver, and
access supports from those who are facing similar struggles.

To register, please call 780-992-6267.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to Fort Saskatchewan residents. Anyone who finds meal preparation difficult and would benefit from this service can apply.

Meals are delivered to your door Monday to Friday.
The cost is $7.50 for each meal.
Meal cancellations or changes require 72 hours notice and can be made by calling 780-992-6267 (exceptions made for medical emergencies).

For more information call 780-992-6267.

Neighbourhood Programs

Good Neighbour

Neighbourhoods are more than houses, streets and boulevards — it’s the people who live in those neighbourhoods that make them dynamic and unique.

If you have neighbours who make your neighbourhood the place to be, let them know their contributions matter and nominate them as a Good Neighbour!

Neighbourhood Connectors

What is a Neighbourhood Connector?

Neighbourhood Connectors are local volunteers who take pride in their communities and connect neighbours to one another through block events and conversations. When neighbours feel connected to one another their friendships can have a significant impact on the quality of life in their neighbourhood including an increased sense of belonging, better mental health, and increased safety.

Why should I Volunteer?

Neighbourhood Connectors are residents who enjoy getting to know their neighbours, like hosting block events and may have ideas on how to improve their neighbourhood, but need a bit of help getting started. If this sounds like you, the Neighbourhood Connector Program can help you with additional resources and ideas to make your neighbourhood one of the best places to live and play!

What would I need to do?

As a Neighbourhood Connector you will have support from the Community Social Planning Coordinator in getting to know your neighbours and resources to help you host block events and implement any innovative community building ideas you may have. Neighbourhood Connectors will also:

Connect with every neighbour on their block and providing information on the Neighbourhood Connector role.
Host a block event at least once per year.
Access the Shape Your Community Grant to help implement neighbour ideas and improve the neighbourhood.
Nominate anyone on your block who makes your neighbourhood a great place to live for the Good Neighbour award!

A Neighbours Guide to Making your Neighbourhood a Community

Rainbow Alliance

The Rainbow Alliance is a peer support group for youth ages 13 and up. It is a supportive and safe place open to all sexual orientations and gender identities, where youth can be themselves in a safe, affirming, sex-positive, alcohol and drug free environment.

Meetings are fun opportunities to make new friends, partake in fun activities and work on projects together.

To learn more about the Rainbow Alliance, call 780-992-6267.

Snow Angels Snow Clearing Program

The City of Fort Saskatchewan offers Snow Angels, a volunteer snow clearance program to assist seniors with a disability or medical condition in the community. Applicants must be referred to the program by their family physician, or existing clients of the home support, or home care program can be referred. Applicants must also meet an income level requirement.

To receive support from the program download the Snow Clearance Program Resident Package.

To volunteer for the program download the Snow Clearance Program Volunteer Package.

Apply to be a Snow Angel

For more information, contact 780-992-6267.

Whipper Snippers Lawn Care Program

The Whipper Snippers Lawn Care Program is no longer being offered. If you have any questions, please contact us at 780-992-6623.

Youth Advisory Committee

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is open to all youth ages 13 – 18 and will focus on:

Volunteering and fundraising
Project orientated activities
Youth Wellness
Youth driven Initiatives

Goals:

Engage youth to be involved in the community through volunteering
Plan youth specific events and activities
Collaborate with other groups and agencies
Promote and create initiatives to support the well-being of youth

Location: TBD
Hours: Every Second Tuesday from 4:00 – 5:00pm
Dates: September – June

If you are interested in volunteering with the YAC, or for more information, please email fcssinfo@fortsask.ca or call 780-992-6267.

Youth Council

The Fort Saskatchewan Youth Council is a Committee established by City Council and its purpose is to educate and empower youth to provide information and recommendations to Council in relation to issues that impact or involve youth.

Membership

Up to 14 youth members between the ages of 14 and 24 years of age, who are residents of the City of Fort Saskatchewan; an appointed representative from City Council; and the Youth and Family Coordinator.

Roles and responsibilities

The Youth Council shall:

a. research and write policy proposals for Council’s consideration and review;

b. consult with Administration and other youth serving agencies to support youth initiatives;

c. provide a youth lens to City policies, programs and services as part of the City’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy (GEN-007-C);

d. work with Administration to develop and maintain a community dialogue about matters important to youth in Fort Saskatchewan;

e. drive change, and advocate on behalf of youth; and

f. establish partnerships with individuals and youth serving organizations to ensure different perspectives are reflected in Youth Council initiatives and procedures.