What is the Oasis Club?
A group of maximum 12 children between the ages of 3 and 12 that meets each week. These meetings give the children the opportunity to talk about their experiences while their parent is absent because of training, exercises or a mission.
What is the impact of these groups?
During a period of deployment, the services of support groups for children are essential. These groups help kids break out of their isolation, socialize with other children who are going through a similar situation, and acquire the tools they need to live with the absence of a loved one. Providing these services for children reduces the demand for individual or family intervention. It also offers parents a period of respite and a place to socialize, network, and break out of their own isolation while they wait for their children. Change often creates anxiety in children during a time when they need stability to increase their adaptability and confidence. Therefore, it is in the children’s best interest that we must continue to provide them with knowledgeable and dedicated personnel so that these support groups can continue.
The Results in Numbers
During the latest deployment from November 2010 to August 2011, VFC provided nine groups to a total of 113 children.
The Canada Company’s financial support of $20,000 allows the groups to continue up to the end of the current deployment in Afghanistan, between April 1st and August 31st, 2011.
The Valcartier Family Centre, on behalf of the military community, would like to offer its heartfelt thanks to The Canada Company for its generosity.