Marpole Oakridge Family Place (MOFP) is a vibrant community organization dedicated to supporting families, caregivers, and seniors in South Vancouver. Since 1978, MOFP has provided inclusive programs that promote connection, learning, and well-being for people of all ages and backgrounds. We spoke with Program Coordinator Lindy-Ann Clarke to find out more about what they do.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Marpole Oakridge Family Place is a not-for-profit organization which has been supporting families, grandparents, caregivers and children since 1978. Our family resource programs include: A family Drop-In program, Parent and Infant programs, Play and Learn Preschool, Before and After School Care program, Seniors programs, Literacy programs, Dad and Me programs, Parenting workshops, Baby and Me programs, Nobody’s Perfect Parenting program, My Tween and Me parenting program, Infant Massage program, Income Tax Clinic, Seniors Safety services, Community Circles, Empowering Single moms, Food Skills for families
MOFP Provides you with:
- A connection with your community
- A safe environment for your child
- Support systems for seniors and vulnerable adults
- Social literacy programs to learn English
- Resources to help you and your family
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our purpose is to promote the health and well-being of the community and nurture strong family connections within it. Our wide range of programming offers dependable resources and a diverse community for children, seniors, and everyone in between. “Our goal is to make every family feel like they are a part of a loving community. Everyone deserves a deep understanding, and a supportive place they can go to when they feel isolated” We also aim to provide our community members, especially those who are low income, isolated or with barriers such as mobility, with competencies to weather emergency situations such as pandemics, climate change and earthquake.
When did you start/join it?
Our staff, volunteers and board retention are strong with some of our team with us for 20 years, some for 15 and newer staff for more than 3 years.
What made you want to get involved?
All of our staff, volunteers and board members join because of a desire to work towards community support and engagement, to provide learning and education, to support literacy and competencies, and advocating for community members with barriers. We are all either ECE qualified or literacy practitioners or librarians or seniors’ social services coordinators/advocates.
What was the situation like when you started?
Our Family Place started in a living room and is now a fully fledged full service organization with multiple programs and strong networks city wide.
How has it changed since?
We have added a plethora of programs over the years including a full-service seniors’ program and the development of the South Vancouver Seniors Network, and comprising the collaboration of 32 non-profits working together and led and coordinated by the Marpole Oakridge Family Place. We also run the South Vancouver Seniors Network Weekly Live Webinar, a seniors advocacy and learning platform presenting a webinar every week since 2019, in which we connect our seniors communities with government and community leaders and experts in real time.
What more needs to be done?
The more we can spread the word about our programs, the better the outreach and the greater the support for families with increased funding opportunities.
How can our readers help?
Our goal is to raise $47000 with our Champions of Family Place fundraiser.
Join the Champions of Marpole Oakridge Family Place fundraiser and invest in your community. Help us support, educate, and provide resources!
Donations will help build a supportive community for families, grandparents, caregivers, parents, children, and vulnerable community members. As a non-profit organization, 46% of our budget comes from donations. Your generosity will benefit the Marpole Oakridge Family Place community by allowing us to provide more inclusive experiences for education, support systems, and community events.
- Our Goal: Our goal is to offer community programs and be able to have the resources to support our community and the vulnerable individuals and families. Be part of the movement! Help us bridge the gap with your support.
- How to Support: To donate to Champions of Family Place, please send your contribution to info@mofp.org via Electronic Fund Transfer. For e-transfer donations, please include your email in your message to receive a digital charitable tax receipt.
Do you have any events coming up?
We will be co-hosting the Tour De Marpole, which is an outdoor community event on June 21st.
Where can we follow you?
