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Children’s Haven sees challenges grow for children

Mar 25, 2015 | 5:12 PM

People were all smiles at the Gateway Mall Thursday morning as the 26th Annual POWER 99fm Children’s Haven Radio Marathon kicked off.

It will run until 5 p.m. on Friday, with a prominent presence at the mall as Children’s Haven staff accept donations and POWER 99 promotes the event.

Haven program director, Lynda Douglas, has been working at the child crisis centre since it started in September of 1990.  Since that time she’s seen some changes.

“I’ve seen that regardless we still need a place like this for families.  I’m seeing children coming in with a lot more issues than they used to, which is something that we don’t like to see. However that’s life,” she said.

Despite the struggles, the assistance it provides families and children keeps her happy.

“It’s a real fulfilling job to be able to help.  I guess I’m one of those people that likes to be able to help and we’re that every day for families,” she said.

The money raised through the community campaign will go towards operational costs of the Haven. Douglas said staff wages are paid for by the provincial and federal governments, but everything else is up to the Haven to provide.

“It’s everything you need to run a household,” she said.  “Our power bill, our water bill, our gas bill. We have a van so we have to keep that operational because we drive children to and from doctors, to school, we take them on outings, so having a van in good working order is something we really need to have and that costs money.”

She said it’s vital to keep a facility like this open.

“Children are our future and there are times when a crisis arises in a family and they need a safe place for their children rather than having them be apprehended when they leave them in an unsafe situation, it’s much better to bring them here,” she said.

To show their appreciation, Douglas said there will be a free pancake breakfast 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursday. The food court doors will be open.

“So we’re looking forward to having people come and have breakfast and it’s our way of saying thank you for the donations they’ve given us,” she said.

The radio marathon will be broadcast live from the Gateway Mall at which time cash or gift in kind donations can be presented on air.

“Prince Albert has been so good to us and a lot of people still to this day really don’t know what we’re about, and so I would just like to say if you would like to see our home give us a call and we’ll take you on a tour.”

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84