Blog Post: Showing Minister Larivee Around Kids Kottage

Janine Fraser, Executive Director

At Kids Kottage, so much of the work we do would not be possible without the support of our community, and one of most valuable supporters and partners is the Government of Alberta. Our highest mandate is to prevent child abuse and neglect, and it is a priority they share with us.

Earlier this summer, we were honored to have Minister of Children’s Services Danielle Larivee visit the Kottage to see the important work we do and to learn more about what we do, how we do it and the Government of Alberta makes that work possible, as well as how they can further support us.

Currently, the Government of Alberta funds half of our year budget while we rely on fundraising for the remainder. So much of our program planning relies on this source of reliable and sustainable funding. 

While Minister Larivee was here, we led her through the Kottage on the same journey a child coming to stay with us would take. We showed her the Intake Office, where little ones get to pick out their very own stuffy from the bear pit before spending some time with our Intake Worker and their parent, talking about the situation that led them to needing our support and providing the child with a new set of clothes to wear and eventually take home with them. The child is free to join the other children in whatever activity they are currently engaged in – playing outside on our private playground, inside our large playroom filled with developmentally – appropriate toys, in our dining room for a nutritious meal, bath time, bed time, or whatever other activity that may be currently going on.

We introduced her to our dedicated childcare staff, who work on the front lines with these children, providing their physical, emotional and social needs. We told her about the children we serve, who to us in crisis, often traumatized, tired and ready to just experience being a child again. We told her about our history of the Kottage and where we would like the future to take us.

It’s always an honour to have a visit from our provincial partners, to show them the work we do and thank them for making this work possible. We can’t wait to work with the Government of Alberta to ensure we are meeting the needs of our young clients and assisting their families to alleviate the crisis they face.

Thank you Minister Larivee for taking the time to get to know Kids Kottage!