Testimonials
As a sample of feedback about our agency and programs, here is what some parents had to say about the positive impact on their families.
"My family and I have been involved with Uncles & Aunts at Large for approximately six years. I am a single parent, raising four (now three at home) teenagers and young adults on my own, and this organization has been a blessing to us. They offer so much to us, including a mentoring program for my daughter, access to food bank (bread, buns, fresh produce, milk), in-home visits, mental health support, school supplies and clothing, a community garden, Christmas parties and a family gift sponsorship, and tickets to events such as hockey and football games that we would not otherwise be able to attend. I was ablet o register in the Strengthening Families Program with my teenagers, which was wonderful for teaching parents to form bonds with children based on gentle discipline. My daughter is currently attending two monthly groups for teen girls, which is beneficial for her as she finds it difficult finding and forming friendships with her peers.
We have known many of the staff members for the entire duration of our involvement with Uncles & Aunts at Large. They have always been kind and respectful, extremely dedicated, welcoming, and very accepting of our family. They are actively working to join families with the community, and to build up parental relationships within. I haea no doubt that they will continue to offer the strong supports and inclusive programming that I have seen in the past, and I cannot say enough how grateful we are for everything they have done for us. I look forward to any new resources they have available in the future"
-Adriana H
"You make my kids happy. It allows them to socialize and be surrounded with good people."
-Parent of child in YMI boys group
"I saved a lot of money for my groceries. It helps my girls to connect with other beautiful families, sharing our lives together. Love this program very much."
"Family away from family. Good food recipes, good conversation and good friends offering support and good fun. A break from the reality of an every day busy work week."
"It helps granddaughter to learn to cook and prepare. Helps with meals."
"I’ve never made a casserole before. This was my first time and it was very fun to learn"
-Evaluation comments from participants at the Community Kitchen
"It really helped us to have the opportunity to experience something we never done. And it helped our isolation"
-A family comment about the Annual Fishing Derby
This is a short testimonial of my experience with the Grandparent’s Who Parent Group
"I have raised three ADHD children in the 55 years that I have had children in my home, and this group was to me a lifesaver. Grandparents group offered me the privilege of meeting with others who were going through some of the same struggles.
Benefits for me include support through education from other parents on how to grow, how to succeed, and how to make life more enjoyable for our family. Other grandparents had gone through some of the situations that I was trying to handle- their input was invaluable. There is so much love and empathy in this group, and I have grown to consider some of these folks as dear friends. Meeting with them often provides some fun-a bit of camaraderie that others just don’t get where we are at, where we are coming from, where we are going. I am given hope-hope that it will be okay, things will work out, that I will have a support group that will be there for me when I need it. My child benefits from better parenting tips- things I haven’t tried, things to make life easier-make him feel accepted, worthy, loved; access to resources to make his life better, and an all round better experience in life with a grandparent that is fighting for his rights, his life, his education, his sanity-he is worth all the struggles.
I appreciate these meetings-this group. The knowledge of the leaders and other grandparents help make me a better grandparent. Thank You."
"My pension is very low, so helping with our garden helps me with veggies in the summer and lets me feel a better self esteem. I also get to learn what different veggies are and how to use them."
-Comments from one of our Community Garden participants.