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Kristie Pearce

The Windsor Star
Date Published: Saturday, April 28, 2012
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Years of violent outbursts and constant commotion made one Windsor family's  future seem hopeless.

But that has changed since the Windsor Regional Children's Centre entered the  White family's lives. The hospital's Family Learning Place nurtured Elvis White,  10, and his nine-year-old brother Brad after they emotionally struggled with the  death of their mom in 2006.

The dark-haired boys stood with their father Joe as he spoke to the  importance of supporting children's mental health Friday during a groundbreaking  ceremony. A replacement facility for the Family Learning Place at Windsor  Regional Hospital's campus on Prince Road is expected to be complete by early  next year.

Joe said the help not only his children but he himself received from the  centre has been unbelievable.

"I had nobody but now I have all the hope in the world," the recovering  alcoholic said. "You people gave me my children back and taught me how to love  my children."

The intensive treatment facility works with kids from six to 13 who have  significant emotional and behavioural problems. The children are temporarily  removed from their school or home and spend the day in a therapeutic environment  developing skills and behaviours. On its last legs, the 1971 facility has a  leaky roof, mould and its cinder block walls are not exactly kid-friendly, said  Dr. Mary Broga, vice-president of the hospital's Family Mental Health  Program.

Last year, the Ministry of Child and Youth Services approved $4.3 million and  the Windsor Essex Care For Kids pledged another million. The new facility will  be named the W.E. Care For Kids House in honour of the donation.

"We're ecstatic. We're just thrilled," Broga said. "We're really going to  have an exciting kids campus back here."

The construction includes a new gymnasium and pool complex, which Broga said  will be able to accommodate children with physical disabilities.

The facility usually has 14 to 16 children at a time but new programs now  involve the whole family.

"We just don't have the adequate space for parents to come in," Broga said,  adding a child's typical stay lasts anywhere from six to eight months.

Dr. Wilfred Innerd, the hospital board chair, called the old building a blot  on the hospital campus that was not suited for its clientele - the children.

"No one will regret seeing the end of it," he said to a chuckling crowd.

Brad and Elvis both suffer from anxiety disorders and attend the centre  during the day. Elvis was expelled from school in Grade 2. Since then his  listening has improved and he is less violent, his father said.

Joe, 58, said after he lost his wife, Laura of 16 years, life at home was  tough. The boys, then three and four, didn't know how to deal with their  emotions and anger, he said.

"When we got involved with (The Family Learning Place) it turned on a spark  of hope," he said. "They helped me raise my children in a positive way."

MPP Teresa Piruzza (L - Windsor West), Pina Rosati, chair of W.E. Care For  Kids and hospital CEO David Musyj also spoke to the small crowd as piles of dirt  were moved by truck behind them on the site.

Construction started in March. A time capsule that included a Timbit and  ideas predicting the future written by children was buried during the  ceremony.

"The work of Dr. Broga and her incredible staff with families who need their  services is truly amazing," Innerd said.

kpearce@windsorstar.com