It’s Playtime!
A Salvationist article sparks a new program for moms and their children
Photo: © iStockphoto.com/jojof
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n article published in the May 2012 issue of Salvationist described the Baby Song program at Georgetown Community Church in Ontario, an initiative that allows parents to connect with each other while their young children play and learn. One young mother read this article and was inspired: why not start a similar program at her own church? Katie Awalt, the mother of two young children, attends Westminster Park in London, Ont. “I wanted to make connections with the community,” she explains, “and I wanted to offer a program to the mothers because there aren’t a lot of programs like that in the community.” Westminster Park’s neighbourhood is particularly in need of programs for families and especially for young mothers: the church is located across from London’s largest housing complex, which houses 197 families. Many of those families are single mothers and their children. “The single moms find it really difficult,” observes Lieutenant Tracy Savage, corps officer of Westminster Park. “They just don’t have a lot of support. Katie wanted to offer that support system—that’s what her passion is.” After reading the article in Salvationist, Awalt first approached Lieutenant Savage with the idea and then spoke with mothers in the community about what kinds of programs they’d want to see. From this initial idea, Westminster Park’s playgroup has developed into a weekly breathing space for both parents and their children to enjoy themselves. Playtime gives the parents an opportunity to relax and talk over coffee before the children enjoy a snack and short program that includes a Bible lesson, sing-along and crafts. The program has had a huge impact on the church. “It’s been a really neat thing to see,” Lieutenant Savage says. “We have one mom of two young boys who felt she didn’t have anybody; now
BY MELISSA WALTER
she has a church family that supports her.” The group is primarily an outreach ministry, and the majority of its members have joined from outside the church. Westminster Park also offers programs for older children, such as a vacation Bible school, so that families who become involved can bring their older children to church activities. In response to its popularity, the playgroup has expanded, with parents signing up in advance for six- to eight-week sessions that include more structured activities, such as Bible time. Children up to the age of four are divided into different groups that then circulate between activities. Awalt has also branched out to create other activities for young moms, including a clothing swap and a mommies’ night out. Since starting the playgroup, Awalt has returned to college to study medical administration and so has stepped down from a leadership role, but she remains enthusiastic about it: “I feel great with
the way the group is going and I can’t wait to see what happens.” As these programs continue to develop and grow, they provide new kinds of support and encouragement for the families—and especially the single mothers—in the area. At the same time, Westminster Park’s playgroup gives families with no connection to the church an opportunity to come into contact with the Christian faith. “One of the young moms said to me, ‘I’m so glad to finally have found you because I want something more for my kids—I want a better influence in their lives,’ ” Lieutenant Savage remembers. All this has grown from Awalt’s eagerness to reach out to the young families around her, and her initial work posting flyers and talking to local families has paid off for Westminster Park. “I wanted to do my part and try and build the congregation,” she says, “and show them that if you have faith, you can do anything.” Salvationist I March 2013 I 11