Program Profile: Parent Education & Support

Supporting families from pregnancy through the early years

Parenting during pregnancy and the early years can be both joyful and overwhelming. The Parent Education & Support (PES) programs at The Bridge Youth & Family Services are designed to walk alongside families during this important time, offering free, welcoming support that strengthens confidence, connection, and wellbeing before challenges become crises.

Who We Support

PES programs support families during pregnancy and with children aged 0–6, recognizing that early relationships and early support lay the foundation for lifelong health and resilience.

How Support Is Delivered

Parent Education & Support programs are delivered in person    in Kelowna, and Peachland, and virtually.  All programs utilize flexible, low-barrier models that support the realities families face.

There are several programs included within the Parent Education and Support Program: Creative Playtime, Prenatal Wellness, Beyond the Blues, and Special Deliveries.

Creative Playtime has drop-in, play-based sessions offered in welcoming, child-friendly spaces. Delivered in partnership with The Family Hub in Kelowna and at the Peachland Community Centre, these sessions focus on parent-child interaction, early learning through play, and informal peer connection, with facilitators offering responsive support, resources, and referrals.

Prenatal Wellness is a structured, facilitated virtual program that allows expectant parents across the Central Okanagan to participate regardless of transportation, childcare, or scheduling barriers. Sessions combine education, gentle exercise, and peer connection in an inclusive online environment.

Beyond the Blues is an in-person, referral-based postpartum support group delivered at our Cadder Avenue location, focusing on emotional wellbeing, peer support, and self-care for parents experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety.

Special Deliveries is delivered in a beautiful space provided by Childhood Connections Strong Roots Society and provides healthy meals, education, and connection during the prenatal and early postpartum period. Graduates can continue into Step 2, a drop-in support program offered at Rutland Adventist Church, focused on strengthening confidence, connection, and access to community resources.

Across all PES programs, flexibility is key. Services adapt to participant and emerging community needs, ensuring families feel welcomed, supported, and respected.

Reach and Impact

In 2024–25, Parent Education & Support programs served 654 families, helping parents and caregivers feel more confident, less isolated, and better connected to their communities.

Participants gain: Practical parenting skills and tools, increased confidence and stronger parent-child relationships, connection that reduces isolation and supports mental wellbeing, and access to community resources and ongoing supports.

Why This Program Matters

Parent Education & Support programs address critical community needs related to mental health, social isolation, food security, and access to supports during pregnancy and early childhood.

What makes these programs especially impactful is their prevention-focused approach. By offering support early — before challenges escalate — PES programs help families build strong foundations that reduce the need for more intensive services later. Research consistently shows that early prevention supports lead to better long-term health, education, and social outcomes for families and communities.

A Moment That Reflects the Heart of the Program

One parent who attended Beyond the Blues arrived struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety. Through the support of the group, she found healing, connection, and confidence. Over time, she became a community advocate, supporting other parents facing similar challenges — and later volunteered within the program herself. Her journey reflects the ripple effect of early support: when parents are empowered, they strengthen not only their own families, but the wider community.

Looking Ahead

As community need continues to grow, the PES program’s greatest challenge — and opportunity — is securing dedicated program space and stable funding. Limited core funding makes long-term planning difficult, despite clear evidence of the program’s impact. Continued investment in early prevention ensures families receive the support they need, when it matters most.