- Woe

32 - Sunday, January 20, 1991 - North Shore News

HELP’S AT Hand, a weekly feature by North Shore
Community Services, answers questions about and
discusses such topics as government policies and
programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxa-
tion and public services.

Answers published in this column are intended on-
ly as a general guide and should not be applied to
individual cases without further consultation.

eee

Question: I have been happily married for five
years snd my husband and I have a 10-year-old
daughter from my first marriage. My husband is very
fond of iny daughter and would like to legally adopt

‘her, My daughter likes the idea, saying it would give

her a more complete family feeling.

Her natural fatber moved to Ontario soon after
she was born and has not supported her or had con-
tact with her for years. Is a step-parent adoption dif-
ficult and expensive to arrange? Would we need a
lawyer?

Answer: Between one-third and half of all adop-
tions in Canada are adoptions by step-parents. In
British Columbia the adopting parent must be mar-
ried to the natura} parent of the child. It is not ac-
ceptable to be living common law man and wife.

Adoption is a serious matter and it is very impor-
tant that the consequences are fully understood. The
British Columbia Adopiion Act states that ‘‘for all
purposes, an adopted child becomes, on adoption,
the child of the adopting parent, and the adopting
parent becomes the parent of the child, as if the child
had been born to that parent.’’

When a child is adopted the legal connections be-
tween the child and the biological parents are
severed. Not only will your new husband become the
legal father of your child, but both your ex-husband

Options for

SHARE YOUR skills, talent and
energy with an organization or
individual in your community.
Listed below are a few of the
many volunteer opportunities
available on the North Shore.

COMPUTER skills and patience
are requirements for this assistant
position. A 31-year-old woman in
a wheelchair needs help with word
processing, typing and computer
work. She also enjoys playing
computer games. If you are pa-
tient and comfortable with the

for this position.

4:45 p.m.

AT THE END
OF YOUR ROPE?
«Death in the family
e Empty Nest
e Divorced
Loss & Grief Counselling
Syivann Carlton 986-7937

(fee based on
ability)

mosage

2 ‘One-Day Workshops

handicapped share your computer
knowledge for one to two hours
per week. A female is preferred

RUN a Happy Hour. A social
Person with an outgoing personal-
ity is wanted to organize and run
a Happy Hour for five to 20 ac-
tive and dynamic seniozs.
volunteer will pour drinks and so-
cialize with seniors. The hours are
Monday to Friday from 3:15 io

A BLOOD drop costume volun-
teer is needed. This is a fun op-

Le Petit Montessori Academy

An enriched BILINGUAL PRE-SCHOOL offering 4 & 5 day pro-
grams for children 3-5 years old, Our school is conveniently
located near Lonsdale & Hwy. #1.

We encourage you to register now for the school year 1991/92.

195 East Windsor Road, N. Van.

JEWELLERY CLASSES

8 week course starting January 23-24
— one class a week Wednesday & Thursday evening. 7:00 p.m.9:30 p.m. ...
— Thursday morning,
Instructor: Julia Baker
— Children’s Classes: after schoo! jewellery making classes. Thursday 3:30 p.m.5:45
p.m. Commencing January 17

LIFESTYLES

HELP’S AT HAND

and yourself will cease to be regarded as legal
parents. As the natural mother, you must apply
along with your new husband to adopt your daugh-
ter, in order to continue the legal parent/child rela-
tionship after the adoption order.

In order to adopt a step-child in British Columbia

-you will need to obtain a consent from the natural

father and mother. If the child concerned were over
the age of 12 he or she would also have to sign a
consent. A consent is a statement that lets the judge
know that the person signing the consent knows what
the adoption means and how it will affect his or her
legal status as a parent. The consent and accompany-
ing affidavit is signed by a lawyer.

If your application to adopt is straightforward and
unopposed it is possible for you to proceed yourself.
H, however, your daughter’s natural father refuses
consent to the adoption, a lawyer is essential. It is
possible that the court may dispense with a parent’s
consent under certain circumstances which your
lawyer will explain to you.

If you are able to apply for adoption yourselves
you will fin¢d a book called Step-Parent Adoptions
very helpful. !t is published by Self-Counsel Press. It
takes you through a step-by-step procedure and will
tell you which documents you will need and how to
obtain them. The book will also explain how to
prepare and serve the documents.

Dial-a-Law also has some useful information on
adoption. Call 687-4680 and choose the family law
selection to find the tape on adoption.

ees

Nozih Shore Community Services, a United Way
agency, is located at 1060 Roosevelt Cres., North
Vancouver, B.C. V7P 1M3, telephone 985-7138. This
column is prepared with financial assistance from the
Notary Foundation.

volunteers

portunity for someone wha would
like to dress up as a blocd drop to
help promote blood donor clinics.
The volunteer should enjoy speak-
ing with the public and enjoy
wearing a costume. The hours are
from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on a
Monday or Tuesday once per
month. This is a good opportunity
for teens, bring a friend and en-

joy.

The

If you are interested in these or
any other volunteer opportunities
call Dru at 985-7138.

980-7973

$155.00
16:00am-12:30pm

' Cost $55
- Simple Casting: Jan. 26-27 il e
: TAR (2 day workshop), $95
oY Saturdays Patina -— Feb. 2,°° ‘ns -— Feb. §
Earrings, Brooches .: Barrettes. Feb. 16

10:00 am-

Bracelets & Bangles, March 2
Titanium & Niobium, Mar 23

Rings & Things, Feb. 10 & 17
(2 day workshop), $95

Beginners weicome

Knitting and Braiding for Jewellery, Feb. 23

926-9512

1765 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

Unusual Techniques & Tricks —~ March 16

Toois Supplied
Phone for brochure

-catch a selection of tunes from the

John McLachlan sings

reras, Rob Marr, Blaine Dunaway
and John White.

His new album, Stepping Out,
features entirely original material
ranging from folk/country treat-
ment of Railroad Town to the
‘*Beatlesque’’ flavor of Hard to
Believe.

JOHN MCLACHLAN fans can

singer/songwriter’s new album
this Sunday at the Vancouver East
Cultural Centre.

The North Vancouver perfor-
mer will be appearing in concert
with Tom Keenlyside, Sal Fer-

"ALCOHOL - DRUG « CO-DEPENDENCY
PROBLEM?

HN ose

INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM
* Professional Substance Abuse
Counsellors and Therapists
* Strictly confidential

Phone N. Shore 980-8499
Vancouver 731-7737
Surrey 589-7080

NORTH SHORE FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY

EDUCATION PROGRAM

Winter 1997 988-5281

PARENTING THES NONTK 10 2 YEAR i

COUPLES COMMUNICATION - LEVEL! .

Fee: $42/Single: $68/Couple Fee: $70/Couple

Feb. 12-Mar. 19 Boundary Comm. Sch. Mar. 5-Apr. 2 NSF. rst

6 Tuesdays 750 East 26th St. 5 Tuesdays 303-126 E. Sth St.

7:30-9:30 North Vancouver 7:30-9:30 North Vancouver
PARENTS OF TOTS & PRE-SCHOOLERS FORMING FRIENDSHIPS

Fee: $56/Single; $81/Couple iz Fee: $42 FS87
Jan. 22-Feb, 26 West Vancouver YMCA = Jan. 30-Mar. 6 N.S.F.S.5.
§ a eeaays ihed {aglewood 6 Wednesdays 303-126 E. 15th St.
Nancouxer 7:30-9:30 North Vancouver
TBARENTS OF SCHOOL ack SHILDREN CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Fee: $56/Single: $81/Couple FS10 Fee: $18 Fsas
Jan. 22-Feb. 26 Westover Comm. Sch. = Feb, 13-Feb. 20 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.
8 uascays 3467 Duval Ra. 2 Wednesdays 2145 Jones Ave.
North Vancouver = 7:30-9:30 North Vancouver

}0-9:30
PARENTS OF TEENS- HOPING FOR HARMONY
Fee: $56/Single: $81/Couple FS20
Feb. S-Mar. 12 Carson Granarn Sec. Sch.
6 Tuesdays 2145 Jones Ave.
0-9:30 West Vancouver
SIBLINGS WITHOUT RIVALRY
Fee: $38/Single: $55/Couple F:
Feb. 7-Feb. 28 Carson Granam Sec. Sch.
4 Thursdays 2145 Jones Ave.
7:30-9:30 North Vancouver

BABY MAYBE-IS PARENTING FOR Mer
Fee: S2assingle: $38'Couple

Feb. 21-M. Highiands Comm. Foe
3 Thursdays: 3150 Colwod Dr.
7:30-9:30 North Vancouver
GRIEVING & LOSS
Fee: $42 Fs40
Feb. 7-Mar. 14 NLS.F.S.S. (WV)
6 Thursdays Ste. £1410 Clyde Ave.
7:30- West pepeguver
PLANNING FOR THE BEST YEARS
Fee: $28/Single; $45/Coupte FS43
Feb. 5-Feb. 26 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.
4 a desdays 2145 Jones Ave.

North Vancouver
SEPARATING AND MOVING FORWARD

dan. 30-Feb. 20 Carson Graharn Sec. Sch.

4 Wednesdays 2145 Jones Ave.
7:00-9:30 Nosth Vancouver
ON YOUR OWN AND LOVING IT

Fee: $30

Fs46
Feb. 27-Mar, 20 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.

4 Wednesdays 2145 Jones Ave.
7:30-9:30 North Vancouver
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Fee: $84/coupie ‘S53
Feb. 18-Mar, 25 N.SF.SS.
6 Mondays 303-:26 E. 15th St.
7:30-9:30 North Vancouver

SELF-ESTEEM FOR WOMEN
Fee: $56 FSSS

Jan. 2."-Mar, 14 Sutherland Sec. Sch.
8 Thursdays 1860 Suthertand
7:30-9:30 North Vancouver

WOMEN WHO LOVE TOO MUCH - 1
Fee: $35 FS61
Feb. 5-Mar. 5 Sutherland Sec. Sch.
§ quesdays 1860 Sutherland Ave.

North Vancouver
ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING = LEVE! t Ser

e: $35 F
fee §-Feb. 26 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.

4 Gygedays 2145 Jones Ave.
7 00-9: Norin Vancouver
LEARNING TO LOVE YOURSELF
Fee: $35 FS72
dan, 29-Feb. 19 Boundary Comm. Sch.
4 Tuesdays 750 E. 26th St.
7:00-9:30 North Vancouver

FAMILY DROP-IN PROGRAM

Our agency runs Family Drop-in Centres where parents and children
under five can meet with supervised play for the children, time for socializ-
ing and guest speakers for the parents. The centres provide a welcome
break from day-to-day routine and operate at six locations across the
North Shore. Phone 988-5281 for information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER
PLEASE CALL 988-5281

NORTH SHORE FAMILY SERVICES
303 - 126 East 15th Street, N. Van. V7L 2P9

“ MINI LEG PURES ~~
AOCLESCENT SEHAVIOR & DEVELOPMENT

Fee: $12
Feb, 20 West Van Sec. Sch.

4 Wednesday 1750 Mathers
7:30-9:30 North Vanccuver
PRE-MENSTRUAL SYNDROME

Fee: $1z FS8o
Feb. 13 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.
1 Weanesday 2145 Jones Ave.
7:30-9:31 lorth Vancouver
KEEPING FAMILY stonies ALIVE
Fee: $12 Fsat
Feb. 21 Carson Graham Sec, Sch.
1 Thursday Fars Jones Ave,
7:30-9:30 North Vancouver
NO MORE HOT FLASHES
Fee: $12 Fss3
Feb. 20 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.
+ Wednesday 2745 Jones Ave.
7:30-9:30 jorth Vancouver

Ne
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ADOPTED CHILD
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ADOPTED TEEN

Fee: $15 S89 Child
Feb. 21 FS90 Teen
Feb. 28

1 Thursday 203-126 EY Tsth St,
7:00-9:30 North Vancouver

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

ON BEING SINSLE

Fee: $32 FSs1
Feb. 9 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.
+ Saturday 2145 Jones Ave.

9:00. North Vancouver
FEEL THE FEAR & 00 iT ANYWAY
Fee: $32 FS64

Feb. 16 Lueas Centre
1 Saturday 2132 Hamilton Ave.
9:00-4:00 Norih Vancouver
DEMYSTIFYING ANGEA
Fee: $: ‘S65
Jan. 26 Lucas Center
1 Saturday 2132 Hamilton Ave.
9:00-4:00 North Vancouver
KIDS CAN COOPERATE
Fee: $32 FSs70
Mar. 2 Lucas Centre
4 gatuicay 2132 Hamillon Ave.

‘00 North Vancouver
SBUILDING YOUR CHILD'S SELF-ESTEEM
Fee: $32 FS78

Feb. 2 Lucas cenve
1 Saturday 2132 Hamilton Ave.
9:00-4:00 North Vancouver
IT'S OK TO FEEL BLUE
Fee: $32 FSs2
Feb. 9 Carson Graham Sec. Sch.
1 Saturday 2145 Jones Ave.
9°00-4.00 North Vancouver

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS INCLUDE
LUNCH