Our Stories
Members’ Statement in Recognition of Acorn Family Place
Hon. Lisa Naylor (Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure)
“I am so happy to rise today to pay tribute to Acorn Family Place. Acorn Family Place began almost 26 years ago and was known as Wolseley Family Place for many years. In 2022, after completing a process of community reconciliation education, Acorn Family Place was chosen as the new name that best represents everything they do.
Acorn Family Place is an essential part of the West Broadway neighbourhood in the Wolseley constituency, in providing a drop-in, food connections, wellness programs, parenting support, counselling and workshops such as Caring Dads and Healthy Baby, serving over 2,000 people through 20,000 client contacts annually. There is a beautiful playroom for children whose parents are attending a program or for families to play together to foster supportive community connections.
An acorn is small yet strong and has great potential. An acorn is whole and complete on its own, and with the right nutrients, conditions and support, it can grow into a mighty oak, resilient and sheltering. Similarly, Acorn Family Place knows that families are whole and complete on their own, and with the right nutrients, conditions and support they will become stronger and more resilient. Acorn Family Place walks with families of young children on their journeys, supporting them to thrive and thereby strengthening our province.
Today I want to say a belated happy 25th anniversary to the staff and board members at Acorn Family Place, some of whom we are honoured to have in the gallery today. I especially want to recognize Sharon Taylor, who had the vision and built this program, serving as the executive director for 20 years. I also want to recognize current executive director, Wolseley resident Emma Fineblit, who has skilfully led the program for almost six years. Thank you to you both and to your team, for your passion, dedication and persistent efforts to support families and make our community a more inclusive and nurturing place to live.
And Honourable Speaker, I’d like to include the names of my guests in Hansard. Acorn Family Place board members: Emma Fineblit, Executive Director; Bhavesh Mistry, Chair; Sharon Taylor, former Executive Director. Staff: Asaria Crouch, Lindiwe Lord, Nadine Mackenzie, Mélissa Perron, Darla Smith”
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA, April 25, 2024
Mayor Scott Gillingham & Emma Fineblit, Executive Director of Acorn Family Place
“I was invited to an International Women’s Day Luncheon at the Fort Garry Hotel on Friday, March 8th, 2024, by Mayor Scott Gillingham. He gave Acorn Family Place a Community Service Award in honour of our 25th anniversary. Thrive also got the same award and so did the Aurora Dancers. It was an honour to receive the award and to be in the room of so many amazing, accomplished, hardworking women who have made big impacts on their communities.” Emma
Walking Alongside Families for 25 Years!
In September 2023 we celebrated our 25-year anniversary as a family resource centre!
AFP fosters the development of community by creating equitable opportunities for families to connect and reach their fullest potential.
Show Your Support for Our Mission
What began as a small program to support families in a little corner in the basement of the former Misericordia nursing residence has grown and evolved to be a multi-service family resource centre today.
Our centre has expanded and celebrated countless milestones along the way, from adding new programs to respond to community needs, to a move to a new location in 2019 and the launch of our new name and branding in 2022
Celebrating 25 Years of Walking Alongside Families will be held at Acorn Family Place.
Over the past quarter century of work in the community, thousands of families have come through the doors and thousands of children have played and grown in the Playroom, sharing countless moments of joy, learning, and connection. We are proud to have been part of this community for all these years. We will be celebrating all week long, September 11-15, 2023, with a full week’s schedule of family friendly activities.
Please join us on Friday, September 15 for Celebrating 25 Years of Walking Alongside Families. A full day event that will be the grand finale to the week of anniversary celebrations. There will be food, prizes, speeches from AFP staff and community members. It will be a time to share stories and come together to honour the past 25 years.
Without the support of the amazing members of our community, we would not be here. Every one of you plays a very important role in making Acorn Family Place the community hub it is today, and we are so grateful for each person who walks through our doors. We are honoured to be sharing this exciting milestone with all of you.
The centre is located on the 2nd Floor of the Crossways in Common Building, 222 Furby St. Please call (204) 560-3141 if you have any questions and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out what we have planned!