The creation of a parents’ support group, namely Crestview C.A.R.E.S., initially came about to bring parents with special needs children together.

Very few parent support groups exist in Laval, and more specifically, there are even fewer offered in English. As the principal of Crestview, the need and the importance of having such a group for my parents was both imperative and evident. For over a year and a half, parents who would pick up their children from school would show up earlier and earlier just to see and talk to each other. Furthermore, they would share stories, make referrals and give advice based on their own experiences. The inside joke was to create an in-house coffee restaurant so parents could hang out at the school and spend time with each other.

The idea stemmed from those daily encounters. Why not offer the parents an evening a month where they could come to school (without their children, perfect time for a little respite) have a coffee or two and meet with parents sharing the same dilemmas as them? Why not have them build a network for other parents? Who is the best person to give references and share resources? In fact, it is the parents themselves. With a cost-free location to meet, Laval Families quickly came on board to sponsor the meetings by offering coffee and treats. Now all we needed were parents. On January 29, 2013, Crestview C.A.R.E.S. held its first meeting.

Meeting face-to-face was the only logical way to create the parents’ support group. It was deemed more meaningful and ensured personal interaction. Even though children have different needs, all parents need to have the opportunity to share, ask questions, laugh and cry with other parents living through the same situations.

The C.A.R.E.S. in Crestview C.A.R.E.S was developed by a few parents when discussing the importance of this parents support group and what they wanted to get out of it.

C; making Connections
A; for Another – learning from one another
R; Resources - sharing resources amongst themselves and sharing their golden nuggets
E; Establishing supportive friendships and sharing Experiences
S; Strategies - sharing those too

Being the parent of a child with special needs doesn’t have to be done alone. Better yet, we have parents with children having special needs that come from other schools.

At the present time, Crestview C.A.R.E.S. is building momentum by having special guest speakers at the monthly meeting. A special needs consultant from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, a financial advisor, an ABA therapist are some of the speakers that have informed our parents. After the speaker has delivered their piece, parents are invited to have more coffee and stay a while to interact with each other.

Watch for us on Facebook, in the Laval Families community online section and ensure to mark your calendars – the last Thursday of each month – at Crestview! 750 Devonshire, Chomedey, Laval. Because Crestview cares!