Family and Community Support Services Monthly Newsletter
February 2026

Get informed of and connected to the happenings at FCSS! Our monthly newsletter showcases all the dynamic programming and events we offer in our community.

FCSS is passionate about community well-being. Healthy relationships are important throughout all ages and stages of life and contribute to positive mental health.

Create the tomorrow you want and build resilience by learning new skills, using tools and strategies and making supportive connections!

FCSS is here to help you connect!

Rural Mental Health

Friendly Visitor Program

The Friendly Visitor Program, a program designed to reduce social isolation, is being relaunched in Hinton.

Through the program, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), a branch of the Town of Hinton, connects trained volunteers with individuals in need of companionship, support or friendship.

We all experience loneliness or isolation. Many of us have someone to help us through those times, but for those who don’t, we are here for you. The goals of the Friendly Visitor Program are to alleviate isolation and loneliness by providing a consistent and meaningful connection, activate social skills, maintain social relationships, be a friend, and become a Friend.

Loneliness is not limited to the elderly. There can be different reasons why we need help finding a friend: our family members may be far away, friendship circles may have gotten smaller, or illness or decreased mobility may make it hard to maintain contact. The list could go on, and in our mobile world, it is becoming increasingly easy to be isolated. This program is available to any person in need of a Friendly Visitor. Anyone can feel isolated, and anyone can access our Friendly Visitor program.

FCSS matches’ isolated people to caring volunteers who spend one to two hours per week with their partner or make a regular phone call. We make every effort to match clients and volunteers with similar interests or backgrounds to encourage the development of a positive and meaningful experience. Through conversations, attending events, or participating in activities together, a trusting friendship is formed. These regular visits can increase feelings of hope, worth, and connectedness.

Our professional staff provide ongoing support to both clients and volunteers throughout their time together and can help clients access additional services as their needs change.

This program is offered free of charge through the generosity of our volunteers.

Request of Friendly Visitor
Register for the program by reaching out to FCSS and express your interest in receiving a friendly visitor. You will be guided through our registration process. Click the link to be a recipient: https://www.hinton.ca/FormCenter/Friendly-Visitor-Program-30/Friendly-Visitor-Recipient-Application-110

Become a Friendly Visiting Volunteer

If you are looking for ways to spend time with others and opportunities to meet new friends, this program is for you! We are looking for friendly, intelligent, respectful, caring and dependable people who care about brightening another person's life.

Volunteers can assist with weekly personal visits, reading books, newspaper or magazine aloud, going for walks or rides, participating in hobbies or simply discussing everyday affairs and informing their partner about current events happening in their community. All volunteers are screened and trained to ensure their suitability for the program to ensure a compatible match is made with a recipient.

FREE Volunteer training offered by Hinton FCSS is available. This training will prepare you to become a compassionate, supportive Friendly Visitor in our community. Whether you’re new to volunteering or looking to deepen your impact, this is a great place to start. Skills you will learn during training: communication and listening skills, mental health resources, boundary setting, aging health issues, understanding of self- awareness and responsibility and much more! Click the link to register to become a friendly visitor: https://www.hinton.ca/FormCenter/Friendly-Visitor-Program-30/Friendly-Visitor-Volunteer-Application-111

Good Neighbour Recognition Program

Hinton’s Good Neighbour program aims to recognize those individuals, residents, businesses and organizations who contribute to a safe, inclusive, and warm community. Nominate a good neighbour using the form below!

Hinton is full of caring residents, businesses and organizations whose acts of kindness, community volunteerism and neighbourhood pride make a positive impact on their neighbourhood.

Do you have someone in your neighbourhood who is always lending a helping hand?

It’s time to recognize those good neighbours!

Nominate a good neighbour who:

Checks on a neighbour in need
Shovels snow for a neighbour
Picks up garbage or organize a neighbourhood clean-up
Helps carry in your groceries
Organizes neighbourhood events
Model community spirit
Helps in times of need
Improves feeling of safety and security
Encourages fellow neighbours to get together and connect

Community members can nominate a Hinton resident, group, business or organization who makes your neighbourhood a better place to live.

Each nominee will receive a congratulatory letter and certificate signed by the Mayor. This program spotlights one nominee each month. Each recipient of the monthly Good Neighbour award will receive:

A congratulatory letter and certificate signed by the Mayor
A small thank-you gift, such as a local gift card or note or appreciation

Join our Pink Lantern Walk to Stand Against Bullying

Celebrate kindness and take a stand against bullying at ‘Our Community Shines Bright’, a Pink Lantern Walk for Pink Shirt Day.

Pick up a lantern and enjoy warm refreshments at the Hinton Family Centre at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23. Then join the community walk around the lantern-lit oval track at Gordon Moore Memorial Park at 6:30 p.m. With every lantern, we build a brighter, kinder community.

Free pink shirts are available in limited quantities. Register by Feb. 9 with your shirt size by emailing fcss@hinton.ca or calling 780-865-6036.

About Pink Shirt Day

The Town of Hinton is proud to support Pink Shirt Day, also known as Anti-Bullying Day. It is held annually on the last Wednesday of February. This year, it falls on Feb. 25.

Pink Shirt Day raises awareness about bullying in schools, workplaces and online by promoting kindness, inclusion and empathy. The movement began in 2007 when a student in Nova Scotia was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. It has since grown into a worldwide campaign to stand against bullying.

We encourage Hinton residents to be inclusive, welcoming and supportive with colleagues, clients, friends and family. Building healthy relationships is one of the best ways to prevent bullying and create safe environments. Getting involved is easy: wear your pink shirt and help put a stop to bullying.

The West Fraser Guild will be illuminated pink during the week of Pink Shirt Day in support of Alberta’s anti-bullying awareness campaign.

About Bullying

Bullying means repeated, intentional harm in a relationship where one person has more power than the other. It can include physical actions, verbal abuse and social exclusion.

Boys are more likely to bully and be bullied through physical attacks and aggressive behaviour. Girls are more likely to use indirect bullying, such as social isolation, slandering and spreading rumours.

Bullying is a relationship problem that involves a power imbalance, which is why it can be hard to overcome alone. Whether bullying happens at school, at work, at home or in the community, there are people and resources that can help.

How to Take Part in Pink Shirt Day

Here are a few ways to get involved:

Share Pink Shirt Day resources on social media.
Practice acts of kindness.
Talk about bullying prevention with friends, family or coworkers.
Call the Bullying Helpline at 1-888-456-2323 for information or support.
Learn how to safely and appropriately intervene and share what you learn.
Research healthy relationships and share what you learn with someone else.

Resources

Bullying affects people of all ages, from children to older adults. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

For support, information or referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

Family Violence – Find Supports: Call or text 310-1818.
Bullying Helpline: 1-888-456-2323.
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741.
Community Resources: Dial 211 Alberta.

FCSS is here to assist anyone who is being bullied. You are not alone. FCSS can connect you to the services you need. For a confidential referral or more information, contact the Hinton FCSS office at 780-865-6036.

Family Dance

Dust off your dancing shoes and join us for a fantastic community family dance! This is the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones while enjoying great music and fun. All ages and skill levels are welcome!

No tickets are required for this free community event. Bring cash only for concession for purchase in support of the Hinton Employment and Learning Place. Wear appropriate footwear for dancing the night away and no alcohol or vaping permitted.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special evening.

Family Day Puzzle Quest

Celebrate Family Day in a fun and meaningful way! The Family Day Puzzle Quest invites families of all ages and backgrounds to explore Hinton, discover local resources, and enjoy quality time together—while collecting puzzle pieces for a chance to win great prizes.

This community-wide activity strengthens family connections, helps families learn about community supports, and brings people together in a fun, interactive way.

🧩 Why Participate?

The Puzzle Quest is designed to help families: