A new friendly face at SFCSC

Mar 10, 2011

Photo: Kate Hamilton, SFCSC's new family coordinator

Kate Hamilton recently took over the position of family services coordinator at Southern Frontenac Community Services Corporation (SFCSC) at the Rural VISIONS Centre in Sydenham at the end of January and feels confident that her varied career puts her in good stead for the job that lies ahead.

“I feel very suited to the position since I have worked extensively with families in a number of different capacities throughout my career,” she said.

Kate studied Psychology and Women’s Studies at Trent University and graduated with honours from the Child and Youth Worker program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston in 2001. She has worked in group homes, child care centres, and also as a youth and program coordinator at the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre in Kingston.She believes that her upbeat and friendly demeanor will be a definite plus in her new role at SFCSC. ”It often can be very difficult for families and individuals to ask for help and an important part of my job is to make them feel as comfortable as possible.”

Kate will be heading up five main areas of service to seniors, disabled adults and low-income families in the SFCSC's catchment area. Those services include various financial services, transportation, food services, referrals as well as client support and advocacy.

Executive Director of SFCSC David Townsend spoke of Kate’s suitability for the position of family services coordinator. “After reviewing 35 applications and holding interviews with six different applicants I know that we have chosen the right person for the job. Kate not only has the ability to truly understand a family in need but she also possesses the willingness to do her absolute best in finding ways to help them.”

The challenges for Kate are numerous, and high on her list is getting to know the SFCSC's catchment area. She well knows that she will also be struggling with limited funds, and cites for example “the increased demand of people wanting to stay in their homes compared to the availability of funds we have at our disposal to support them.” She also cites the rising cost of heating fuel as another big problem, along with sub-standard living conditions.

David Townsend is well aware of the challenges facing Kate and recalled how last year's out-going family services coordinator, Monica McWhirter, identified a total of 22 families and individuals in the catchment area who qualified as homeless. “Of those, nine were successfully housed. The others were either forced to couch surf and a few lived out of their vehicles. The situation out there is really that bad,” he said.

Right off the bat Kate will be re-implementing the Rural Women’s Group which starts running again on Wednesday, April 27 and will continue to run at the Harrowsmith Centre on the last Wednesday of every month.

For more information about any of the services available at SFCSC or to find out how you might volunteer, please call 613-379-6477, 1-800-763-9610 or visit www.sfcsc.ca