The idea of a family life education centre was first conceived in about 1972 by Rev. Alex Lawson and several of his parishioners at Minto United Church. These individuals saw a need in the community for services that would provide information and skills to help people enhance and improve their lives. These founders were basically interested in the prevention of problems that afflict individuals, couples and families. Rev. Lawson and his group believed that by providing support, direction and understanding to people in a caring environment, that they could make a difference in they way those individuals solved their everyday problems.

In 1973 the Centre opened under the name of Minto Family Life Education Centre; it was located in the basement of Minto United Church and offered such services as individual counseling and parent training which were conducted by both professionals and lay-leaders. By "lay-leaders" we mean individuals who have participated in a program as a student, then volunteer to pass on to the next class the things they have learned.

The basic philosophy of the Centre was and still is, "to seek to strengthen and enrich the family unit," we continue to believe that prevention through education and skill development is the most effective tool in helping people cope in today's complex society.

We have gone through many changes since those early days...we moved out of the church basement in 1987 to our present location at 200 Main Street South, and changed our name in 1988 to Moose Jaw Family Life Centre to better depict our agency in the community. In 1997 we re-named our agency to Moose Jaw Family Service Bureau in order to gain wider understanding of the services we offer.

Today, our agency continues to provide that supportive atmosphere where people can learn to meet their life goals. We remain very much focused on the prevention of problems; however, we are also equipped to assist people with situations that have reached crisis proportions.

Through our supportive information programs and counseling, individuals and families in the community develop problem-solving skills to prevent or resolve daily conflicts responsibly and constructively.

It is our conviction that this family life education concept has endured because it enhances the quality of people's lives and provides a means to live effectively in today's complex and stressful society.