Mannville-Minburn-Innisfree
Family and Community Support Services
HISTORY
It all began in 1978 when some Mannville and area residents realized the need for support services in the community. At that time a committee was struck and they attempted to get provincial assistance to operate a Preventive Social Services (PSS) program. To their disappointment, they were turned down. However that did not deter this committee and they formed Yellowhead Community Support Society (YCSS) [May 1980], without provincial aid. Mabel Eschak took on the role of volunteer director and began operating programs such as Meals on Wheels, Home Support, and Handyman services. Yellowhead funding came from various contracts: Minburn-Vermilion Health Care Unit, Social Services, and the Department of Veteran Affairs.
YCSS was operating very effectively and efficiently on limited funds. Mabel and the committee continued their pursuit with the province for the establishment of PSS. This committee connected with Kent Staden, Village of Mannville Administrator, the councils of the villages of Innisfree and Minburn and finally in 1986 [now referred to as] FCSS, funding was approved. Kent became the Unity Authority for the partnership of the three municipalities and the province. The program was named Mannville – Minburn – Innisfree Family and Community Support Services (M-M-I F.C.S.S.). YCSS went under the umbrella of that name but remained a vital part of the program.
Over the years, M-M-I F.C.S.S. continued its’ good work of providing support services in the area of prevention. Partnerships have grown from the province and municipalities to local organizations and provincial programs:
AADAC, Agricultural Societies, Alberta Child & Family Services, Chamber of Commerce, Community Birthday Calendar, Community Seniors Centres, Group Photocopying Service, Alberta Health Services: Mannville Care Centre, ELKS, Fair Boards, Fire Departments, Family & Community Support Services Association of Alberta, Hospital Auxiliaries, 4-H Clubs, Legions, Library, Mannville Community Fitness Centre, Mannville Minor Soccer, Mannville Municipal Library, RCMP, Royal Purple, Schools: Mannville & Innisfree, Non-Denominational Vacation Bible Camp, VegMin Learning Network, Village and County Councils, Volunteer Alberta, and other local organizations.
In 1997, the County of Minburn # 27 joined by contributing 40 % of their FCSS funding to M-M-I F.C.S.S. and 60% to Vegreville and District FCSS.
To date, though funding is still limited, M–M–I F.C.S.S. has continued to operate wonderful prevention programs for Infants right through to Seniors. With YCSS under its’ umbrella, we have been successfully carrying our Home Support programs for seniors. As in all aspects of life there are the challenging times, the struggling times, the frustrating times too, but those great times always have a way of making it all worth while. Our many successes can be measured by the positive responses we hear from the individuals and partners that we work with. Those smiling faces and tears of thankfulness have a way of touching the hearts of our staff, our partners and our volunteers.
F.C.S.S. has withstood the changes of being passed on from provincial department to department in the past 50 years, and we have grown stronger in our partnerships and the work we do…the next 50 can only be better and bring more successes.