The Tupper Street Family Resource Centre in Portage la Prairie's opening its arms for visitors to check out their facility.

"We are having an open house here that runs from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19th," says executive director Cathy Vanstone. "The purpose of the open house is specifically to invite newcomers to Portage la Prairie to come and see what we have to offer young families."

She says you'll get the opportunity to bring the younger members of your family and learn about all of their programs and services. Vanstone adds there'll also be plenty of fun activities and great food to enjoy. She says the open house last year was a great success, noting once everyone sees all they offer and the warm welcome they'll receive they'll want to come back. To put faces on the names of the folks who work there is also a great way for families to feel welcome.

Vanstone says there's such a variety of programs and services and they really want to get to know new families in the city. Many times it's more challenging to connect with other parents when you're the parent who's staying home with your children, she explains. Vanstone notes program participation, as with their Stay and Play, Book Buddies or a Parent Drop-In programs, is a way for you to connect with other moms or dads, and for your kids to connect with other children as well.