{"id":8199,"date":"2025-10-30T10:33:47","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/?p=8199"},"modified":"2025-10-30T10:33:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T15:33:49","slug":"a-place-for-families-a-walk-through-the-family-care-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/2025\/10\/30\/a-place-for-families-a-walk-through-the-family-care-office\/","title":{"rendered":"A Place for Families: A Walk through the Family Care Office\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>(7-minute read)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>November 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By Helen Reddy Katz, Family Care Advisor (Student Focus), Family Care Office\/ Faculty Relocation Services, University of Toronto<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you ever visited the Family Care Office? Has it been a while? Whether it\u2019s been a few months or years since the last time you dropped by, you\u2019re always welcome, and might notice a few changes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it\u2019s been years since your last visit, our biggest change is location. During the renovations of the Koffler Student Services Centre, our permanent home, our office has been moved to the 6<sup>th<\/sup> floor (Suite 603) of 215 Huron Street, just north of College Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you enter our &nbsp;space, you are invited to connect with a staff member, gather resources, use one of our student friendly spaces or peruse the library where U of T community and family members are invited to borrow books from the FCO library, or flip through them on-site. We also have a low shelf of children\u2019s books, colouring supplies and toys to keep any accompanying children busy! Seating for both adults and children is available. &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"A reading and family space with bookshelves filled with books, a few chairs arranged for seating, and a small red children\u2019s table with a yellow stool. Art supplies sit on the table, and colorful handprints decorate the wall above the shelves. Large windows let in natural light with city buildings visible outside.\" class=\"wp-image-8200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1024x681.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-768x511.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the library area, there are some more great places to explore. Our meeting room is sometimes used by staff, especially when meeting with multiple family members, but is also used to host community sessions. &nbsp;These include our new <a href=\"https:\/\/studentlife.utoronto.ca\/program\/study-hubs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hybrid study hub<\/a> for students every Thursday from 10am to 1pm and parent and caregiver lunch and connect sessions for <a href=\"https:\/\/familycare.utoronto.ca\/stec_event\/lunch-connect-for-staff-members-who-are-planning-a-leave-related-to-having-a-child\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">staff<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/familycare.utoronto.ca\/stec_event\/lunch-connect-for-faculty-members-who-are-planning-a-leave-related-to-having-a-child\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">faculty<\/a>. &nbsp;They are great opportunities to connect with other parents and caregivers, as well as the peer mentors and staff that run the sessions. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Past the meeting room, we offer two student study spaces, one open concept and one more traditional office style. Our office tends to be a calm and relaxing study-friendly place. Anyone who uses our study spaces is welcome to bring their own lunch or enjoy available tea and coffee. &nbsp;While we do welcome children to attend with you, the rooms can be small for keeping young children entertained. &nbsp;In those instances, we recommend also checking out the <a href=\"https:\/\/onesearch.library.utoronto.ca\/family-study-space-robarts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">family study space<\/a> at Robarts Library , and other <a href=\"https:\/\/gerstein.library.utoronto.ca\/visit\/spaces\/family-workstation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">great campus study spaces<\/a> for use outside our office hours. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In our more private study space, we have our family closet; a small wardrobe stacked with seasonal clothes and family essentials. Community members are invited to peek inside and see what we have \u2013 if you\u2019re in need of a particular item and don\u2019t see it, don\u2019t hesitate to ask and we\u2019ll see if we can source it.\u00a0 Student families are also encouraged to venture over to the UTSU Student Commons next door (230 College Street) and check out their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php\/?fbid=1089173243300987\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">family cupboard initiative<\/a> which focuses on stocking toys, household and hygiene items for all family members.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"A small private office space with a wooden desk, an adjustable office chair, and a desk lamp. To the left, there is a dark cabinet labeled \u201cFamily Care Office Community Closet,\u201d a standing fan, and a rack filled with magazines. The room has beige carpet and light gray walls with a wooden door on the right.\" class=\"wp-image-8201\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1-768x511.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the far corner of our space, we offer a newly updated infant feeding space, complete with\u00a0 a rocking chair, change table, feeding pillow and play pen. This space is available during our office hours (9:30 am-4:30 pm) for parents to feed their infants or express milk. Remember that it\u2019s your right to feed your baby any time, anywhere, but if you prefer a private space, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/familycare.utoronto.ca\/resources\/infant-feeding-spaces-change-tables\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">designated Infant-feeding Spaces available across all three campuses<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-2-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8202\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-2-1024x681.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-2-300x199.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-2-768x511.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/files\/2025\/10\/Untitled-design-2.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re really excited to invite more community members into the Family Care Office, to explore everything we have to offer. We are really proud of the space we\u2019ve created and love spending time here; we hope you and your family will too!\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(7-minute read) November 2025 By Helen Reddy Katz, Family Care Advisor (Student Focus), Family Care Office\/ Faculty Relocation Services, University&#8230;  <a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/2025\/10\/30\/a-place-for-families-a-walk-through-the-family-care-office\/\" title=\"Read A Place for Families: A Walk through the Family Care Office\u00a0\">Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":347,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13276],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8199"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/347"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8199"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8203,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8199\/revisions\/8203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/intersections\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}