CFB Shilo Military Family Resource Centre is hosting upcoming events and workshops that will benefit military members, spouses, families, veterans, starting with an inaugural Shilo Symposium on Oct. 23 of more than 55 exhibitors, followed by a Build-A-Bear workshop the next week.

CFB Shilo children and youth will be able to create a recorded voice memory of their deploying parent at a Build-A-Bear workshop at the MPTF from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 3.

“This program is available to any family who is about to experience a deployment,” Nicole Taborowski, Military Family Resource Centre deployment and special events coordinator, said.

During the work-shop each child will receive a bear with a voice recorder and participate in a heart ceremony.

“During the deployment your child can listen to the sound of the deployed parents voice for comfort,” she said.

Families must register for the unique work shop, which has not been done at CFB Shilo previously, by Oct. 28. Payment of $20 per bear can be made at the Shilo MFRC front desk in person or by phone during regular business hours (204) 765-3000 ext. 258-3352.

The Shilo Symposium is for you, if you are a military member, releasing members, veteran, public service retiree, military spouse/partner or a military family dependant, “ Christine Helgason, employment counsellor and community development manager, said.

The symposium is designed to assist attendees to explore options in education, second career and volunteer opportunities while providing the opportunity to check out all the services, organizations, supports and resources available in the Westman area, she said.

“The pioneering event will bring together community stakeholders, service agencies, educators, employers, and associations to foster collaboration and raise awareness of available resources.

“The symposium aims to showcase the strength, resilience and capabilities of our military and veteran family community,” Helgason said. “This event is a tangible way for the broader community to offer support.”

The function welcomes everyone between 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the GSH. No registration is required. The youth centre will be open during the event for those who do not wish to “tag along.”

Youth centre times: 3:30-5:30 Grades 4-6
5:30-7:30 Grades K-3
7:30-9:30 Grades 7-12

For more information on the Shilo Symposium contact Christine Helgason at christinehelgason@shilomfrc.ca or (204) 765 3000 ext 258 3227.