How Does 'West Side Family Place' Address Issues? (Solutions)

WSFP wanted to help parents in isolation and those still struggling to gain support and resources with the new pandemic restrictions. "Moms…just didn't leave the house" (1, 19:32) due to this challenging pandemic, WSFP says. So, they decided to stay open during the pandemic and adapted to restrictions by creating 'safe spaces.' The safe spaces have two goals to provide solutions for struggling, vulnerable families. The first one is that in remaining open during the pandemic, safe spaces will help parents in isolation to feel connected and socialize with their community. The second is that, in creating safe spaces, parents will feel more comfortable receiving support and guidance from WSFP's newly adapted programs. (1)

Isolation

WSFP achieved these solutions through permits and a grant to assist in outreach for new parents. These allowed employees to create covered outside spaces in parks with masks and where physical distancing was maintainable. These precautions allowed families scared of Covid to escape isolation and meet other parents. In these connection places, "some 6-month-old babies..had never seen a baby before" (1, 19:24), reports WSFP. Even amongst changing Vancouver weather conditions, WSFP found indoor spaces to bring these families together during the colder months. (1)

Access to Services and Knowledge

WSFP's new approach to safe spaces allowed outreach to continue through service providers and WSFP directly for vulnerable parents. Safe spaces in parks that provide familial socialization also offer programs for parents to connect with support services and gain knowledge about parenthood (1). Programs registration was set up online, with limited group sizes to keep the space safe accessible to vulnerable, sacred parents. Employees are in contact with doctors, social workers, and community health services to refer families to these places or let these community services know to be aware of these families. However, some families may still find group environments anxiety-driving, causing them to avoid these outside, community-safe spaces. WSFP is adamant about reaching parents who feel powerless, those who are scared in an unfamiliar place, and those who find engaging with the community intimidating. They outreached to these families who do not feel comfortable outside of the home by providing curbside visits and one-on-one telephone services where vulnerable families can connect with West Side Family employees. In these personal visits and calls, family workers can refer parents to the same community services they do in the communal programs. Family worker employees can also provide the same parental knowledge about child development, financial literacy and anything else the parent wants to know through these more restricted safe spaces. (1)

With these outdoor and indoor communal safe spaces and personal, online safe spaces, "WSFP…provided over 150 hours of parent education, family programming, as well as countless hours of one-to-one parent support" (2). Parents are given chances to socialize and connect with other families in the community, combatting isolation. Parents can also get help and connect with community services to address their needs and gain parenthood knowledge to learn critical, healthy skills to aid their child's development. (1)

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References:

1. Alexander, A., & West Side Family Place WSFP. (n.d.). 

West Side Family Place. other. Retrieved April 2023, from audio1252567768-1.m4a. 

2. West Side Family Place. (2023). About Us. West Side Family Place. 

Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.westsidefamilyplace.com/aboutus/ourstory/