Virginia Park Community Centre

51 Harding Road P.O. Box 2101

St. John’s, NL A1A 5B2

Phone: 709-579-4534 • 709-579-0257 Fax: 709-579-4539

Website: www.virginiapark.ca

Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaparkcommunitycentre

APRIL 2014 Newsletter

Centre Staff Executive Director: Director of Programs and Services:

Wallace Gregory Victoria Mullins

ed_vpcc@nl.rogers.com programs@nl.rogers.com

Early Literacy / Youth / Volunteer

Special Events Coordinator: Co-coordinator

Juanita Dunne Amy Butt

frc_vpcc@nl.rogers.com teenvpcc@gmail.com

Community Employment Facilitator: Homework Haven:

Janice Henstridge Sarah Donavon

jhenstridge@ccanl.ca homeworkvpcc@gmail.com

Program Assistants: Maintenance:

Amanda Chipman Norm Mullins

Julie Greene

Danielle Starkes Students:

Bernie Morgan Connor Thompson

Colin Russell Kelsey Jacobs

Heather Noseworthy

Jonathan Barrow

Did you know that the Centre is available for rentals??

We rent our space for Bridal / Baby Showers and Children (age 12 and under) Birthday Parties. We are a smoke and alcohol free facility. Rates: $25.00 per hour plus $50.00 damage deposit. For availability (most weekends), please call 579-4534

April Highlights: Soups On

Easter Parties

Easter Holidays

Spring Break Week

Volunteer Week

Changes to Saturday Rec Program

REMINDER S:

Income Tax Return Deadline: April 30, 2014 Income tax returns are due (for all but self-employed workers and their spouses or common-law

partners). Check out Canada Revenue Agencies website to find out when tax clinic are available.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/clncs/stjohns-nl-eng.html

Garbage Collection Just a reminder that as of April 1

st, 2014 you must cover your garbage.

In addition to garbage bags, every year from April 1st to November 30th bagged

garbage must be placed in a bin or can or covered with an approved net or blanket. Bins

or cans used for garbage must not be permanently fixed and must be removed from the

curb by 8 p.m. on your collection day.

http://www.curbitstjohns.ca/Default.aspx?Content=CurbsideGarbageCollection

Councillor Danny Breen Takes Leave of Absence Ward 1 Councillor Danny Breen has taken an unpaid leave of absence from Council as per City

policy effective March 18 to run in the provincial by-election for the Virginia Waters Electoral

District.

Council has appointed the Councillors at Large to respond to any constituency issues that may arise in

Ward 1 during Councillor Breen’s absence. Residents of Ward 1 may reach the Councillors at the

following numbers:

Councillor Tom Hann – 576-8219

Councillor Sandy Hickman – 576-8045

Councillor Dave Lane – 576-8243

Councillor Art Puddister – 576-8286

Winter Market Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 10:00am to 3:00pm

Royal Canadian Legion, 57 Blackmarsh Road

Come out and join us for a Winter Market.

Over 40 local, handmade, homemade vendors including baked goods, art, handmade soap,

jams, pet treats, homemade breads, Newfoundland Sea Salt, local eggs and meat, jewelry, and so

much more! We also have face painting and a balloonist for the kids and kid in all of us.

Entry is by donation only and all money donated will be given to support the St. John's Farmers

Market.

Fluvarium Egg-cellent Easter Join us Saturday, April 19 between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for Easter excitement at the Suncor

Energy Fluvarium, 5 Nagle's Place. Cost of the event is $5 per person (children 2 and under are free).

There will be ‘baskets’ of fun family activities such as:

* Easter Egg Crafts * Egg Games * Face Painting

* An AMAZING Easter Egg Hunt * Story Time (on the half hour)

* Adopt a Salmon * And Of Course the Easter Bunny!

Bring a camera to have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny who will be appearing on the hour.

For more information please contact Bob by e-mail at rpiercey@fluvarium.ca or by calling (709) 754-

3474.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/virginiaparkcommunitycentre

Teen Nights: April 1

st - Board Games/ Pictionary

April 8th - Creative Craft Night

April 15th - Holly Wood Game Show Night

April 22nd

- No Program (Easter break)

April 29th - Gym Night @ VPE School

Leadership: April 1

st - Vision Board Activity

April 8th - How to Plan for an Event

April 15th - Planning for Event

April 22nd

- No Program (Easter Break)

April 29th - Planning for Event

Janeway Fundraisers Thanks to all of those who participated in and attended our Adult Showcase. With the Open Mic night

and the lollipop tree, we raised $332.30 for the Janeway Telethon.

Shave for the Brave This past month, staff and participants of the Community Centre have been sponsoring Meagan

Sampson for the Shave for the Brave. Meagan completed a placement with us this past December and

we wanted to support her in this endeavor. We had a lollipop tree, a ticket draw for a pizza and a

donation can set up to raise money for this worthy cause. In total, we raised $121.62.

http://yacc.convio.net/site/TR/ShavefortheBrave/General?px=1103261&pg=personal&fr_id=2370

Baby Club: This program is offered by Brighter Futures Coalition but held at the Centre every

Wednesday from 11:45am -2:30pm. The purpose of this program is to give expectant

mothers (and partners) support and guidance throughout / after their pregnancy. If you or

someone you know may need extra support during pregnancy, please call Brighter Futures

(Annette) at 739-8096.

Adult 120’s Card Game: Thursday April, 24

th 2014 starting at 7:30pm. Cost $5.00 per person to play. Tea and coffee served.

Come out for a bit of fun and meet some new and familiar faces.

Tutoring: Why wait until exam time to get some extra help …….. FREE TUTORING is offered to youth from

grade 7 – grade 12 Monday and Thursday evenings. One on one tutoring is available on Thursday

evenings from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. For more information please contact Sarah at

homeworkvpcc@gmail.com or call the centre at 579-4534.

There will be no tutoring during the Easter Break.

Public Exam schedule can be found at the following link:

http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/evaluation/public_exam_sched_June_2014.pdf

Saturday Recreation Changes Starting Saturday April 5

th, 2014 our Saturday program schedule will be changing. From 10:00 am –

11:20 am there will be baseball / softball for youth from grades 4 and up. From 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

will be a regular recreation program for anyone in grades K and up.

No Parent & Tot Program There will be no program during the week of April 22

nd – April 26

th, 2014 for the Easter Break.

Spring Break Program During the week of April 22

nd to April 25

th we will be holding programs at Virginia Park Elementary

School gym. Program will start at 12:30 pm and finish at 3:30 pm. Please ensure that you bring along

indoor footwear to wear in the school gym. Activities may also take place outside if weather and

conditions permit.

Various activities will be planned for this week. Please check our website / facebook page for more

information when it comes available.

Softball Program During the week of April 22

nd to April 25

th we will be hosting a softball program for youth in Grades

3 and up. This program will run from 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

City of St. John’s R.E.A.L Program: Recreation Experiences and Leisure (R.E.A.L. Program) / Canadian Tire Jumpstart R.E.A.L. Purpose The R.E.A.L. Program and Canadian Tire Jumpstart working together to provide

recreation and leisure opportunities to children and youth in financial need. The R.E.A.L / Canadian

Tire Jumpstart Program is a service that matches children and youth up to the age of

18 with organized, registered recreational activities of their choice.

R.E.A.L Vision

That all children and youth in the City of St. John’s are able to participate in recreation

and leisure activities which help boost their self-esteem, promote healthy active living

and support personal growth through increased knowledge and skill development.

Summer Programs Application Deadline: April 17 http://www.stjohns.ca/living-st-johns/recreation-and-parks/recreation-experiences-and-

leisure-real-program

Opportunity for Funding Through Kidsport We believe that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to

experience the positive benefits of organized sports. KidSport™ provides support to children in order

to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport.

KidSport™ provides children with:

• The opportunity to enjoy a season of children’s sport programming;

• Healthy habits that will last their whole lives;

• Valuable life lessons and skills including leadership, practice, hard work, dedication, and self

confidence;

• Access to mentorship and guidance from coaches.

For more information or to apply for funding through KidSport™, please visit: www.kidsport.nl.ca

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have

volunteered at the Community Centre this past year.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Presents ….

“Wood Employee Readiness” Skills Link

ABOUT THE TRAINING

Are you…

Between the age of 18- 30

Not in school / Non E.I. Eligible

Are you happy to work with your hands

Are you physically fit (able to lift 50 lbs)

Are you interested in learning to work in the wood industry

Eligible candidates will receive:

4 weeks of work place Workplace Essential Skills training

8 weeks wood manufacturing industry shop training

6 weeks of job placement term with eligible employers ready to hire new employees in the wood

manufacturing industry

Only 12 seats available….

Program is pending funding from Service Canada

For More Information Contact:

Janice Henstridge

Community Employment Facilitator

Community Centre Alliance (Virginia Park Community Centre)

709-753-5627

jhenstridge@ccanl.ca

Employment & Career Services Employment and career services are available at the centre on Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays

9:00am to 4:00pm. We offer resume writing, job search assistance and program referrals and pre

employment programs such as Skills Link, Linkages, Makin it Work and Value of Work, Value of

Money. If you are looking for employment or not sure what to do as a career, to attend college, please

call Janice Henstridge at 753-5627 to set up an appointment or email jhenstridge@ccanl.ca

Also on Tuesdays, Lindsey Hynes will be available to assist with employment and career services at

Virginia Park Community Centre. Lindsey can be reached at lhynes@ccanl.ca.

Fry Family Scholarship Criteria-2014 Five Scholarships Awarded, one for each centre.

Scholarships are awarded to residents who are living in the area served by the community centre.

JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP $1200.00, one for each centre (To any Post secondary institution.)

Student graduating for Grade 9, 10, or 11.

$200 upfront with balance to be paid directly to Institution.

Involved in volunteering activities in the school or community centre.

ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIP $2500.00, one for each centre.( Must be going to MUN, Marine or CONA)

Single Parent / Student graduating from Grade 12

Involved in volunteering activities in the school or community centre.

SENIOR SCHOLASHIP $5000.00 (Must be intending to go to MUN)

Single Parent or graduating Grade 12

Involved in volunteering activities in the school or community centre.

EXCEPTIONAL SCHOLASTIC ACHEVIEMENT $5000.00 (Must be entering MUN, or three year program at Marine Institute or CONA)

90% average or more at midterm.

Involved in volunteering activities in the school or community centre.

Applications can be found on our website or picked up at the Community Centre.

Please forward applications on or before May 1, 2014 to:

Virginia Park Community Centre

Contact: Janice Henstridge

753-5627 or 579-4534 jhenstridge@ccanl.ca

NLHC Scholarship Program: This year Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) will award a total of twelve

scholarships valued at $1000 each. This will include nine Youth Scholarships (three in each of the

following regions: Avalon/East, Central, Western/Labrador), and three Adult Scholarships (one in

each of the three regions). The deadline for applications for the Youth Scholarship program is August

31, 2014. For the Adult Scholarship Program, the deadline is September 30, 2014.

For More information please check out NLHC website at:

http://nlhc.ca/tenant/tenantScholarship.html

April 2014 Virginia Park Community Centre P 579-4534 / F 579-4539

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

1

*Quilting

*Afterschool

*Youth Leadership

*Teen Night

*Hockey

2

*Parent & Tot

*Healthy Baby Club

*Afterschool

3

*Indoor Walking

*Afterschool

*Homework Haven

4

*Parent & Tot

*Afterschool

5

*Sat Rec – Please

see side note

about Saturday

Program

6

7

*Parent & Tot

*Afterschool

*Homework Haven

8

*Quilting

*Afterschool

*Youth Leadership

*Teen Night

*Hockey

9

*Parent & Tot

*Healthy Baby Club

*Afterschool

10

*Indoor Walking

*Afterschool

*Homework Haven

11

*Parent & Tot

*Afterschool

*Soups On

12

*Sat Rec

13

14

*Parent & Tot

*Afterschool

*Homework Haven

15

*Quilting

*Afterschool

*Youth Leadership

*Teen Night

*Hockey

16

*Parent & Tot

*Healthy Baby Club

*Easter Parties

17

*Indoor Walking

* NO

AFTERSCHOOL

PROGRAM

18

NO PROGRAMS

GOOD FRIDAY

19

*No Sat Rec

20

EASTER

SUNDAY

21

NO PROGRAMS

EASTER

MONDAY

ST.GEORGE’S

DAY

22

*Quilting

* NO Youth Leadership

*NO Teen Night

*NO Hockey

23

*Healthy Baby Club

* NO Basketball

24

*Indoor Walking

* Adult Card Night

25

*Soups On

26

*Sat Rec

27

28

*Parent & Tot

*Afterschool *Homework Haven

29

*Quilting

*Afterschool *Youth Leadership

*Teen Night

*Hockey

30

*Parent & Tot

*Healthy Baby Club *Afterschool

*NO Basketball

*Volunteer Social

PROGRAM INFO:

*Parent & Tot Program > 9:30am-

11:30am

*Afterschool Program > 2:30pm-4:45pm

* Quilting > 11:30am–2:00pm

* Soup’s On > 11:30am. Free (donations

accepted) lunch for area residents.

* Floor Hockey at school gym > Grades 4-

8 from 6:00pm-8:00pm Cost $0.50 to play.

* Youth Leadership @ Centre 6:15pm-

8:00pm

* Teen Night @ Centre 8:00pm-9:30pm

* Healthy Baby Club > 11:30am-2:00pm.

For more information please contact Annette

(Brighter Futures) at 739-8096.

* Indoor Walking > Thursday 11:00am

* Basketball at school gym

Female Grades 4-6 > 6:00pm-7:00pm

Males Grades 4-6 > 7:00pm-8:00pm

Teens > 8:00pm-9:00pm Cost $1.00 to play.

* Saturday Recreation at school gym >

10:00am-11:20 baseball / softball grades 4

and up 11:30 am -1:00 pm regular

recreation program grades K and up.

*Adult Card(120’s) > 7:30pm. Cost $5.00

per person to play. Coffee and tea provided.

SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES; Grades K – up @ school gym. 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm BRING INDOOR FOOTWEAR

Softball Program; Grades 3 & up 10:00 am – 11:30 am