What is now Family Service Regina began in 1913 as the Bureau of Public Welfare. In dire economic times, the organization was founded with the goal of administering “poor relief”. The Bureau closed in 1918, near the end of World War I. The Regina Welfare Bureau was revived in 1931 as the country plummeted into the Great Recession. Again, the goal was to coordinate local efforts to provide material aid to those hardest hit by the economic climate. Over time, the agency defined support and intervention for families as a particular area of expertise.
As the years went on, the Bureau adapted to meet changing local needs. From its beginnings assisting families disrupted by the upheaval of war, it grew to provide advocacy during housing shortage and Homemaker Services to help preserve struggling family units. Renamed “Family Service Bureau of Regina” in 1956, the agency was active in early Home Care services and Meal on Wheels, rehabilitation for ex-prisoners, and family counselling.
Since its inception, the agency has reflected the pressing concerns of the many communities within Regina. Today’s Family Service Regina continues to respond to the changing economic and demographic environment and to create effective services to meet emerging needs. Whether it’s providing counselling services to a family struggling with changing circumstances, providing support to a teen mother facing adult responsibilities, or helping victims of domestic violence find their voice in the criminal justice system, our ambition remains the same: We offer support, hope and opportunities to help people grow healthy families and strong communities.
