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Catholic Family Services offers counselling services and life improvement programs to all people in the area.

Win A Year of Free Living!

Feb 19, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Someone is going to live free for an entire year!

It is the break many people dream of. Taking away the cost of living for a while to get ahead.

It could even be you! All you need to do is buy one of only 2000 tickets in the ”Live Free for a Year” raffle put on by Catholic Family Services of Prince Albert Inc. (CFS). If you are the winner, (tickets are $100), you will begin collecting $1000 per week for 52 weeks.

One ticket will be drawn at 6:00 pm during Canada Day celebrations in Kinsmen Park, Prince Albert, SK.

That ticket holder won’t be the only winner.

The people of Prince Albert and area also win, because the raffle will help to fund the many powerful community programs offered through Catholic Family Services.

Catholic Family Services offers counselling services and life improvement programs to all people in the area.

Incorporated in 1984, Catholic Family Services offers counselling services and life improvement programs to all people in the area. Board Chairperson Jeannette Eddolls says CFS has a proud history of being the “go to” agency to deliver services, when community support needs are identified.

“We partner with School Divisions, Police and many other community agencies,” explains Eddolls. “When new or unique social issues are identified, there is discussion on how the community needs to respond. Often, we are the agency asked to develop and deliver programs to meet those needs.”

She believes this occurs because of a culture of excellence within CFS. “All of our staff members must either hold a Master’s degree in Social Work or related fields, or they must be working towards it. Our dedicated board members also help the agency to get things done.”

After adding a Director of Programs position five years ago,  CFS has increased the number of clients serviced by five times.

Our goal is “Healthy Citizenship’. Healthy families make a healthy community.

Funding for CFS needs to grow with the demand. The agency does receive some tightly earmarked funding from grants and partners to deliver portions of specific programs. However those funds do not touch the overall work of CFS, or building and operating expenses. Extra funds are needed right now to support the purchase and installation of a new elevator in their building.

According to Executive Director Louise Zurowski, “CFS is a non-profit, private agency that relies heavily on donations. That support enables us to serve everyone who walks through the door regardless of their financial situation or beliefs. We serve clients from all walks of life.”

“Our goal is “Healthy Citizenship’. Healthy families make a healthy community,” says Zurowski.

Both Eddolls and Zurowski point to the BRIDGES program as an example of success in assisting individuals from the Provincial Correction system into the community, with the objective of securing employment.

A culture of excellence within CFS. “All of our staff members must either hold a Master’s degree in Social Work or related fields.

“We have an 80 to 85 per cent success rate in BRIDGES,” says Zurowski. “That means about 12 people from this area establish a more productive lifestyle every three months. That is a powerful investment in community!” The high success rate is due in part to a stringent screening process for the BRIDGES program. Only candidates who are deemed ‘ready’, are accepted.

Other programs offered through CFS range from individual and family counselling, to group classes for parenting, anger management, and helping teens exposed to family breakup or interpersonal violence. They are the only area agency that offers therapeutic, all-inclusive counselling. (Full service and program descriptions may be found at http://www.cfspa.ca/ )

However funding shortfalls mean some programs must be put on hold. At this writing, the CFS has a 15 person waiting list for a program with no start date due to lack of funds.

Because of the confidential nature of CFS work, it is extremely difficult to fundraise.

It was one of the CFS board members, Don Horncastle that approached the board with the idea of a “Live Free for a Year” raffle.

“I think he saw the idea in action in another province,” says Eddolls. “When he presented it to us, we voted unanimously to go ahead with it. It might even become our annual fundraiser.  It is going to be a tremendous blessing for the winner!”

Zurowski adds, “It will help a really good cause, supporting a much needed resource!”

To get your ticket today, go to Harold’s Family Foods or Crescent Heights Pharmacy. You can also call 306.922.3202 or purchase from CFS members and board members.

Only persons 18 years of age and older are eligible to purchase tickets. Tickets may only be purchased or sold within Saskatchewan. Lottery License #LR16-0084