Did you know that the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) has been a part of the Bay of Quinte community for over 20 years? Over those 20 years the MFRC has grown from offering only daycare services, to being a registered charity, employing over 100 staff and offering numerous programs and services to support military families at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton. The MFRC may have been here for a few decades but not everyone in the region is familiar with its mission, vision and objectives. Here are eight myth busters to get you more acquainted with your local MFRC.
1. MFRC is only a daycare
The MFRC is SO much more than a daycare. Over the years the MFRC has expanded from only offering child care to providing second language courses, mental health services, a thriving Youth Centre and activities, education and employment support and more.
2. MFRC is only for military families
A frequent misconception, but the MFRC offers a variety of programs and services for the local civilian community as well. Child care services through the daycare and The Playroom, the volunteer program and some mental health programs and services like women’s and Francophone services are available to both military families and civilians. Additionally, the MFRC hosts community events through the Youth Centre and the Welcome program like ball hockey tournaments, wine tours, car rallies, etc. that are open to the entire community. Civilians are encouraged to join in the fun!
3. MFRC is only for people with children
The MFRC serves families of all kinds, not just families in the traditional sense of partners and children. Whether it’s your boyfriend or girlfriend, your parents or grandparents, the MFRC is here to help anyone (and their family members) who walks through the doors!
4. MFRC is part of the Department of National Defense
Located on-base and dedicated to military families, this is a common myth. While the MFRC is closely connected with 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, it is a separate organization and a registered charity.
5. MFRC is only for people whose spouse is deployed
Deployment is a typical challenge military families face and is an important program offered but the MFRC offers more than Deployment support. It offers support to all military families, whether the serving member is deployed for months at a time, away on course for a few weeks, a few days, or not at all.
6. MFRC is English only
The Trenton MFRC prides itself on employing a large number of bilingual staff members and offering a flourishing second language program that offers French, Spanish and English classes.
7. MFRC only serves the Trenton/Quinte West community
While the MFRC’s Siskin Centre is located on-base in Trenton, it serves the entire Bay of Quinte region. The MFRC will also assist people remotely, should someone need it, over the phone or online. Always looking to better serve the community, the MFRC plans to open a satellite location in Belleville in 2016.
8. MFRC services are only available to people who live ‘on-base’
Another common myth is that all military families live in PMQS or on-base. Now, more than ever, military members and their families are living off-base in surrounding communities and neighbourhoods. The MFRC is open to all military families, as well as civilians, who live in the Bay of Quinte region.
To learn more about the MFRC in your community and what it offers to you, visit their brand new website – www.trentonmfrc.ca. You can also stay up to date on events, programs and community news on Facebook and Twitter or by following the hashtag #TrentonMFRC.
