Formed in November 1899 as the Children’s Aid Society of Brandon, now known as Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba, the organization remains focused on fostering the health and welfare of children. Its primary goals are to strengthen families; protect children from neglect, abuse, and exploitation; and promote family support through creative partnerships and advocacy. One of its earliest activities was to urge the Brandon City Council to prohibit the sale of tobacco to children. Later, it launched a petition to amend the Manitoba School Act to make primary education compulsory throughout the province. With passage of the 1924 Child Welfare Act, the group was responsible for investigating complains of neglect, and to ensure guardianship and care of children in need. By 1929, its services were extended to include all of southwestern Manitoba and, today, it maintains social workers offices in the communities of Killarney, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Rossburn, Souris, and Virden. The Manitoba Historical History recognizes Child & Family Services of Western Manitoba for 106 years of good works on behalf of society’s most vulnerable members.
An MHS Centennial Organization Award was presented by Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard, Jacqueline Friesen, and Gordon Goldsborough on 3 April 2005.
Page revised: 15 May 2011
