Children First Society celebrates five years in operation

Sharon Awichen and Lydia O'Connor have what some might say are the toughest jobs at Children First Society (CFS), but they've been working at the childcare centre since it opened on August 6, 2013.

"Sharon has been working with the infants since day one, and Lydia's been working with the two-year-olds since day one. Some people might say those are the two most challenging groups, simply because of the physical needs," said Patricia Davison, CFS executive director. "Their dedication and their passion for the families and children is incredible. They're pretty fantastic women."

Awichen, who has lived in Inuvik for 11 years and worked in various childcare roles in town, said her passion and love for the children has kept her at CFS for so long.

"Seeing the babies grow up to be young people, and being able to give them the opportunity to develop their interests, that's what keeps me here," she said. "With my age group, infants aged one to two, teaching them some new things is the most rewarding thing. Seeing their eyes twinkle when they understand something new is really special."

O'Connor started working at CFS the summer after she graduated high school and hasn't looked back.

"Most of the kids that began in my class have pretty much all gone on to Grade 1 or kindergarten now. Watching them grow up is amazing, I can't believe they're already in school," she said.

Her favourite part about working with toddlers is their curiosity.

"Whenever we're engaging them in play, you can see their mind going, you can see their thought process," she said.

Davison said the contribution O'Connor and Awichen have made to CFS is invaluable.

"Both of these ladies are amazing. They came in when there was still construction happening around us. They came in to a brand new setting and set up routines and processes and procedures," said Davison. "They're now mentoring other staff and college students around promising practices for early childhood in Inuvik and that's pretty neat to see."

A long road to this point

Despite only being in operation for five years, CFS was spawned at a 1999 community meeting, where Davison said the issue of childcare and family support was highlighted.

"At the time, child care was moving from one government building that was about to be torn down, to another government building," she said. "CFS is very much a grassroots project … the community started fundraising, and the society was formed in 2005. It wasn't a quick thing."

In 2005, fundraising efforts in the community gained momentum, and the society gained support from the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Metis society, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Northwind Industries and the Town of Inuvik.

"If it hadn't been for the hard work of the community, this place would have never come to be," she said.

Going forward, Davison said the society hopes to continue expanding and filling gaps in childcare in the community.

Starting this fall and winter, she said the centre will be offering more evening and weekend drop-in programs for families with young children.

"We've been hearing from the community that there's a real gap in this area, so we're trying to fill that," said Davison. "The society was made for everybody in the community and I'm hoping that picture gets developed more and more people feel more comfortable coming in."