The Sooke Family Resource Society offers so many great programs. The “Caring for Communities Affordable Counselling Program” is one that many in the community can benefit from but may not know they qualify for.

Jazzercise Metchosin-Sooke has started a yearly fundraiser in which the class participants submit their ideas for whom they want to raise funds. The idea is to raise funds for something that benefits the community, something grassroots or close to someone’s heart. Around 15 submissions were received, and “Caring for Communities” program was drawn at random this year!

Our goal is to raise awareness and funds for this incredible program.

Join us for an hour-long fundraiser class on Friday, May 22 at Saseenos Elementary School. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the class starting at 7 p.m. Suggested minimum donation is $10. It’s a dance-cardio class so no need to bring the usual weights and mat. Be sure to come early to buy tickets for the raffle and 50/50!

Raffle prize donations are also being sought from local businesses. If you would like to contribute, please contact Sam Wilkinson at jazzercisesooke@telus.net.

About “Caring for Communities Affordable Counselling Program”

[sam id=”11″ codes=”true”]Caring for Communities is made up of Registered Clinical Counsellors (minimum Master’s level education) who give back to the community by offering sliding scale counselling outside of their regular practice for anyone who wouldn’t be able to afford a private counsellor (i.e those with lower incomes, or no or limited extended benefits). Going to see a private counsellor usually costs upwards of $100 per hour, and there is only free (government funded) counselling for adults in Sooke if you are struggling with an addictions issue or have an urgent mental health concern – and there are often waits for both. The Caring for Community Affordable Counselling Program is the only affordable counselling service available for children in Sooke. This is a growing need in our community, especially for children in the middle school years.

Despite this sliding scale option, there are still those in our community who would benefit from counselling who cannot afford to pay at all. We depend on donations to be able to offer these individuals, children, couples, or families the ability to attend a few sessions free of charge, so that they can stabilize and receive support to plan a course of action towards improved mental health. As donations are not predictable, there are times when this isn’t possible to offer, so we are always very grateful when we receive some!

More info can be found here: www.sfrs.ca

-by Sam Wilkinson

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