Skip to content

Rainbows will shine in Ponoka

The Rainbows program is coming to Ponoka.

Dear Editor:

Three years ago I called Joanne Comeau, FCSS co-ordinator, to inquire about bringing the Rainbows program to Ponoka. The purpose of the Rainbows program is to foster emotional healing among children grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis (most often from divorce or death of a loved one).

As a school counsellor, I often see first-hand the affects of such loss and have tried to find resources and supports that these children so desperately need. I often will call Joanne with a need and she does what she can to make it happen, whether it be tools for schools or mittens and coats. I added the Rainbows program on my wish list of things she might be able to help out with.

Joanne notified me back in September that the Rainbows program is coming to Ponoka. I am also thrilled to say that around 30 of us gathered at the Ponoka Youth Centre to train as facilitators and co-ordinators of this exciting program. We were also able to do role playing and group work which we found to be very helpful.

Thank you Joanne and the FCSS board for making this training a reality. Thank you also for agreeing to fund this program so there is no cost to the facilitators, co-ordinators, schools or the students and their families.

In September, St. Augustine School, some of the Wolf Creek schools in Ponoka and the Baptist Church will be official sites for the Rainbows program. Children will meet with a facilitator to begin their journey of healing. Thank you so very much again to Joanne Comeau and her board at FCSS for recognizing the needs in our community and doing what they could to make this program available to our children an their families. The benefits from this program will affect our society in more ways than we will probably ever know.

Blessings to Ponoka FCSS.

Tara Newton,

school counselor,

St.Augustine School