Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 27/02) - Over the past nine years, the Yellowknife Catholic Schools toy library has become one of the most popular parent resources in the city.

Starting out with only eight parents back in 1994, the library has grown to a membership of 85 families, with 88 on the waiting list.

The program, funded by Health Canada and sponsored by YCS, is geared towards families with children up to age six.

"It's really important, I feel there should be a family resource centre such as this in every community in the Northwest Territories," said Majorie Matheson-Maud, toy library co-ordinator.

The toy library offers parents a place to interact with their peers, as well as giving their children an environment to develop and hone their cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills. Half of the families using the toy library, located at Weledeh Catholic school, have been referred by various community organizations. Participating families have a variety of backgrounds, ranging from physical and mental disabilities to low income and high stress households.

As the children play, parents are also given the opportunity to learn parenting skills and receive outside support.

"It's wonderful. It's filled a wonderful niche for me. My son wasn't ready for a preschool program and he wasn't potty trained," said Karen Lewall, who has been in the program for the past two years.

"It was a place for him to go where he could interact like a preschool and I could be with him."

Fia Russo has been a member of the resource centre for 18 months. She said it allows her to do things with her child that she couldn't do at home. "It's a way for me to get out and interact with people," she said.

Both Russo and Lewall said the program is a vital aspect of any community.

"Especially in Yellowknife where you can't just go to the park in the winter because it is too cold," said Lewall.