Lord Roberts Community Centre and Riverview Community Centre are gearing up their programs for 2013.

Pilates classes for adults, dance classes for children and a new parenting program developed by Health Canada called Nobody’s Perfect will be delivered beginning January at Lord Roberts.

You can register at the centre for pilates and dance classes from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 5.

"Pilates is a thinker’s exercise," said Cathryn Lynch, the Lord Roberts pilates teacher who just taught three free classes at Lord Roberts to give students an idea of what pilates is all about.

"It works with deep breathing and small controlled movements that increase a person’s balance, strength and coordination," Lynch said.

Alex Schade, a Royal Ballet certified instructor will take over the Lord Roberts studio on Saturday mornings to teach primary ballet and tap/jazz to children six and over.

"The Nobody’s Perfect parenting program, which begins on Jan. 14, is for parents of young children, with a special welcome to new immigrants," said Anne Lindsey, third vice-president of LRCC.

The parenting program is open to Lord Roberts, Riverview, River Heights, Earl Grey and River Osborne community parents. It’s paid for by Families Forward, which, gives grants twice a year to community-run programs, particularly those which focus on children six years old and under.

Carla Barkman, a trained facilitator, and Laura de la Rosa, family program voordinator at Mosaic Families Resource Network, will run the Nobody’s Perfect program.

"It’s about how to care for ourselves and be the best parents we can be," Barkman said.
And it is free!

Classes will begin with parent-and-child rhyme time. Then parents will leave the child with experienced child-minders so they can attend the parenting session.

"We try to base the program’s content on the parents’ needs," said de la Rosa. "At the first session we get to know each other, including expectations and challenges. We ask, ‘What do you want to learn?’"

This information can lead to future sessions on children’s health, safety and behaviour, all to be discussed within a positive parenting framework. In addition to these Lord Roberts programs, the Bike Hub is open for bike repairs on Wednesday evenings and the Lighthouse Program now has a Youth Steering Committee which lets the kids have a greater voice in their program activities.

Jared Olford, second vice president of LRCC, said, "The children are interested in doing events that raise funds for good causes."

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Families Forward recently funded Wiggle, Giggle and Munch at Lord Roberts This free drop-in program gives parents and their young ones an opportunity to play, sing, dance, do crafts and enjoy a healthy snack together. In January the program moves to Riverview Community Centre and Sir John Franklin Community Centre.

Families Forward also supports a literacy program call The Mother Goose Program at Lord Roberts School and at Carpathia School. A parenting group for young mothers, family night and a storytime program in South Winnipeg are also made possible by Family Friends.

In addition, Selam Tesfani, a neighbourhood immigrant settlement worker runs a conversation circle every Monday afternoon at St. Ignatius Church, where the Families Forward office is located. Newcomers to Canada are welcome to come and practise their English. Tesfani is in the office all day Mondays to help you succeed in your new country.

"If you know of any newcomer families that need any kind of support you can pass on this information,"said Families Forward administrative co-ordinator Sandy Allen.  

Dianne Doney is a community correspondent for Fort Rouge. You can contact her at diannemary@hotmail.com.