PAGE 18, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1979, WHITBY FREE PRESS One Parent Families Association gets Whitby charter Apr. 23 On April 23 the Whitby Chapter of the One Parent Families Association of Canada will receive its char- ter from the organization's national president Eric Crofton. Presenting charters to new chapters is nothing new for Mr. Crofton, but his presen- tation in Whitby will be something special. Mr. Crofton was a resident of Whitby from 1960 to 1970 à nd attended Henry Street High School from 1960 to 1963. A resident of Don Mills now, he intends to attend the Henry Street High School reunion June 22 and 23. Mr. Crofton, who is separated, with two boys aged six and eight, is the youngest national president ooo m m um om.nm m mmmm oo o KNGNSOF COLUMBUS : * I 1i TBi NGOi CABLE CHANNEL 10 g 48IGGAMES a SEVERY WEDNESDAY UP TO $375.00 IN PRIZES 3for $1.00 (.50 ecl) LAST WEEKS WINNERS R. TUR PlN, OSHAWA G. HOWRYCHUK, BOWMANVI LLE K. WEAVER, OSHAWA D. MARSHALL, OSHAWA P. ROBERTS, BOWMANVILLE GRAND PRIZE WINNERS L. LEBLANC, OSHAWA 0INGO CARDS AVAILABLE AT: I. County Bowl - 118 Byron St. N. Whitby Baskins - Robbins - Safeway Plaza, Whitby Oshawa Meat Products & Delicatessen - * -1818 Dundas St. E.,Whitby Shorty's Cigar Store - 121 Brock St. N., Whitby Shorty &,Son Billiards - 130 Dundas St. W. Whitby Bailey Pharmacy - Brock St. S. Safeway Plaza Jury & Loveli Drug Store - Whitby Plaza I 317 Brock St. S Whitby Glass & Mirror - 210 Brock St. S Silver Variety - 1624 Brock St. S. o omm=m o oo u o mm m mom of One Parent Familles Association of Canada. He was president of the Oshawa chapter when it had 19 members in 1975, and within one year the member- ship grew to 175. Mr. Crofton was Vice- President of the Eastern Ontario District Council in 1976-77 and has been Natio- nal President since 1977. The Whitby chapter of the One Parent Families Asso- ciation of Canada has been in operation for three months and has 18 menbers. A local resident, Ron Radcliffe, was instrumental in, forming the Whitby Chapter, and he has been appointed President of the new Durham District Coun- cil which includes the Ajax- Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and North Oshawa chapters. The executive members of the Whitby chapter are: President, Denise Wilkins; Vice-President, Alice Brodie; and Secretary- Treasurer, Ria Best. Meetings are held every Monday at 8:30 p.m. in the Gold Room at the Whitby Centennial Building. The One Parent Familles Association of Canada was federally chartered in January 1974, with 146 members. In 1979 it has 5,000 members in approximately 50 chapters across Canada, with strength in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, and chapters developing in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.- "We are the largest Canadian, single parent organization," says Mr. Crofton. Having attained this posi- tion, theA One Parent Familles Association of Canada has become the representative of one-parent familles in dealing with government at all levels. In 1974 it was the only Canadian single parent or- ganization asked to attend the International Conference on Women's Rights in Mexico City, and in 1975 it was again the only organiza- tion of its kind in Canada to participate in the Royal Commissionon the Status of Women. In 1976 the association was the only non legal organiza- tion to make recomnienda- tions to the Royal Commis- sion on Divorce Law Reform. All 12recommenda- tions made by the associa- tion were accepted, said Mr. Crof ton. In 1977 the association was involved with Ontario pro- vincial court judges (family division) on a concilliation project to find ways to allie- viate the stress involved in exercising visitation and custodial rights regarding- children. In 1978 the association began to develop chapters in British Columbia, and this year is involved in the work of the Canadian commission on the International Year of the Child. "Our philosophy is to help single parents or families with one parent torrelate to a traditional two-parent society," says Mr. Crofton. He estimates there are 500,000 single parents in Canada, and with children included, thisamounts to two million people-10 per cent of Canada's population. "It's a very large minority," says Mr. Crofton.n The One Parent Families Association of Canada allows people to communicate with other people in the same situation and in the saine life-style, he said "They can talk as adults in the same situation." Membership is open to anyone who is a parent of a living child and on their own either through separation, diviorce, widowhood or never having been married. The custody of children is not necessary for membership. A number of activities are planned by the various chap- ters for children and parents, with the parents pay :ng their own way and the chapter paying admis- sion for the children. Meetings usually have speakers on topies that can apply to single parenting, but can also be on any subject of general interest. "We are single parents but we don't dwell on that," says Mr. Crofton. "We have discussions on what is of interest to us as individuals f irst. "We are not professionals; we are a self help group. All work is done on a one4o-one non-professional basis. "The association doesn't do anything for you but gives you an avenue to develop yourself if you're willing. It is not an umbrella for you to corne in and bide under," says Mr. Crofton. "Al Cwe can do is give you a route to communicate with other people in the same situation in a comfortable atmosphere." The majority of the mem- bers of the One Parent Families Association f Canada are separated or divorced, says Mr. Crofton. "People split up mainly because of lack of communi- cation," he says. "In some cases, people just grow apart. Sormetimes they grow together and sometimes in different directions. Nobody is at fault." A OA N FOR ALL REASONS There are anynumber of good reasons toborrow. We'lloffer advice, and the money to see you through.. ~ VKTOR1A AND GREY TRUST Since 1844 Contact our office: 308 Dundas Street West Whitby 668-9324 (Toronto Line) 683-7189 Member: Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Mr. Crofton describes the period after- a marriage breakup as "a growing period such as I have not had in any other period in my life.. The home is mending itself. The broken home was before the split. "Separation or divorce is not an easy way out--I don't advocate it," he said. "You should seriously try to make it work but if it can't, you should try to do something about it. "Most of our members find that they're much happier because the tensions and pressures and conflicts are no longer there." Mr. Crofton points out that his association is not a mating and dating club. Its philosophy is the mainte- nance of the family unit. The One Parent Families Association of Canada spends $50,000 a year on children, tbe money being raised by various activities of the chapters. "we receive no money from any outside source, federal, provincial or municipal." said Mr. Crof ton. The Whitby Chapter is planning its first dance in May and mnembers from sur- rounding chapters will attend. People interested in join- ing are given 30 days to come out and attend all functions before they decide whether they want* to become members. Membership is $15 a year. Anyone interested in joining the One Parent Families Association of Canada in Whitby may call Alice Brodie at 668-4112 or Denise Wilkins at 655-4650. YMCA holds day camp reunion More than 120 campers 'rom the Durham Region enjoyed a day of outdoor fun at the Durham Region YMCA's annual Camp Re- union. Held on Tuesday of the VMarch Break, at the Ennis- killen Conservation Area, his program was attended >y past campers with the )urham Y, their friends and >ther interested children. A ull day of activities includ- ng camp songs, games, ature lore, cookouts and a ;wim guaranteed that every- ne had a good time. Preparations for this iummer's camps are well nderway and campers can ook forward to good times at )ay Camp, Canoe Safety and tdventure Camp, Camp 'rancais, Sports Camp, 3reative Arts Camp, Horse- nanship Camp and Play Parents can look forward i special rates when regis- ering more than one child or vhen registering for more han one session. All fees are lso tax deductible. Brochures will be distribu- ed in the schools in the oming months. For further information, ýal the Durham YMCA at