February - The Saskatchewan Abilities Council

Volume 46, Number 1, February 2014
Transitioning Youth to Employment
W
here do you go in the Parkland
Region if you are a young adult with
employment barriers and you are unsure
of what you want to do after high school?
You can come to the Transitioning Youth
to Employment (TYE) program offered by
the Yorkton Branch of the Saskatchewan
Abilities Council.
The program was founded upon the belief
that if young adults with employment
barriers were supported by their school,
agencies, and families working closely
together, they can create a smooth transition
to enter the workforce and succeed.
TYE staff members offer a variety of
tools and supports to assist individuals
discovering what field of employment they
are most interested in. Based on that, they
create a customized transition plan.
Neil den Brock and Tessa Hudema are two
individuals who accessed the program to
find their way.
Neil was referred to TYE through the
student support teacher at the Yorkton
Regional High School. He participated in
the vocational classes offered by TYE and
received his certificate in May of 2012.
The next step for Neil and his employment
search was to create a work experience that
would give him a chance to demonstrate
his unique skills. Shoppers Drug Mart
was happy to welcome Neil for a work
experience cleaning freezers and store
shelves. Neil always has a bright smile
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Saskatchewan Abilities Council
2310 Louise Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7J 2C7
OUR VISION
on his face, a sense of
humor, and gets along great
with his co-workers. His
Tessa Hudema (left) and her
supervisor-Kehra Polonich at
The Chocolate Bean Café
exceptional work ethic
received high reviews from
the District Manager, and as
a result Neil was offered a
casual position at Shoppers
Drug Mart. Neil has now
been part of the Shoppers
Drug Mart team since May
of 2012.
To further Neil’s work skills he agreed
to a work experience at Giant Tiger. Neil
completes a series of different tasks each
day and follows the directions given by
his co-workers and gets the jobs done on
time. The next step for Neil is to obtain a
second job to gain more knowledge and to
experience a different work atmosphere.
Neil will continue to stay connected to TYE
for employment support, and looks forward
to taking the next step in his career journey.
Tessa also participated in the TYE Program.
She was employed for six months at
Melville Community Works under a work
placement contract. This first employment
opportunity challenged Tessa to improve
her communication skills through regular
contact with community groups. When
the contract at Community Works expired,
Tessa was offered work experience at the
Chocolate Bean Café in Melville and was
supported by an Employment Specialist
from Partners in Employment. Her
dedication and reliability resulted in the
offer of a part-time job as a Server/ Kitchen
Helper in February of 2013.
“Tessa has definitely stepped outside of her
comfort zone, from being a very shy person
to a friendly and outgoing individual,”
remarked Chelsy Murray, co-owner of
Chocolate Bean Café. “She is our go-to
person, whenever a staff member calls in
sick or when we are unexpectedly busy.”
In August of 2013, Tessa started a second
job as a Kitchen Helper at Caleb Village,
a seniors’ residence in Melville. Tessa and
the residents share a mutual fondness. Her
strong work ethic and amiable personality
have made her a valuable employee and a
favorite among the residents.
Working together to enrich futures through abilities.
Community Based Programming Expanding
T
he Saskatchewan Abilities Council,
Yorkton Branch, is expanding its
Community Based Programming for the
participants who attend the Day Program.
Under the leadership of a Program
Coordinator and two Support Workers,
who provide direct support to participants
in the community in a manner consistent
with their Person-Centered Plans and the
Council’s values, the program is growing.
There are currently 40 participants who
access this program.
The purpose of the Community Based
Program is to promote and increase
community inclusion, increase social and
life skills, and to create opportunities
to increase quality of life by engaging
in meaningful and fun activities that
participants may not otherwise be able
to access.
Daily outings include bowling, community
kitchen, film screenings, walking track,
swimming, informational tours at local
businesses and service providers, shopping,
library, yoga and coffee. Evening outings
occur twice weekly and include supper,
bowling, themed events, games, concerts
and going out for wings. Transportation is
provided to and from all activities.
Clients Raelynn Carter (left) and Tonette Walters
Easter Seals
Welcomes
Boston Pizza
E
Mutual Mentors
T
he Council’s new Mutual Mentors
Program is giving Day Program
clients in Yorkton an opportunity to form
lasting, one-on-one friendships with
community volunteers.
“We developed the program through a great
partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters,”
says Deana Jesmer, Community Relations
Coordinator at the Yorkton Branch. “Since
they’re the experts in mentoring and we’re
the experts in working with individuals of
varying abilities, we shared resources to
develop unique programs. They developed
a mentoring program for children with
disabilities and we developed one
for adults.”
How does it work? You start with a
volunteer mentor and a mentee. When
you successfully put them together, you
create a match. That’s what happened with
Jamie (mentor) and Mary Ann (mentee).
Mary Ann was one of the first mentees
and Jamie was the first volunteer mentor
to sign up. But they were matched based
on their mutual interests: hanging out,
shopping, going to movies and restaurants.
Jamie (left) and Mary Ann (right)
“Jamie is a nice person and I always look
forward to spending time with her,” Mary
Ann says of their weekly get-togethers.
“My favorite is going out for a meal at a
restaurant. It’s fun!”
As the Mutual Mentors Program grows,
more mentees and mentors are finding
matches—and discovering rewarding
new friendships.
“I enjoy spending time with Mary Ann,
we have a lot of fun together.”
– Jamie, Mutual Mentor
OUR MISSION
OUR VALUES
The Saskatchewan Abilities Council works
At the Council we treat people with:
• Respect • Honesty • Compassion
with people of varying abilities to enhance
their independence and participation
in the community through vocational,
rehabilitation and recreational services.
Our programs and services are:
• Client-centred • Goal-oriented • Accountable
We value:
• Teamwork • Excellence • Innovation
aster Seals Saskatchewan funded
programs including Camp Easter
Seal, Summer Fun Program, and Adaptive
Technology Services, are well supported
by two special events in Yorkton—Easter
Seals Snowarama and Boston Pizza’s
Send a Kid to Camp Easter Seal Day.
What started off as a concept in Yorkton
two years ago became a province-wide
Boston Pizza event last year where on
the fourth Thursday in June, 10 per cent
of all the restaurants’ sales are donated to
Easter Seals Saskatchewan. In addition,
during the month of June, restaurant
patrons are encouraged to buy $1.00 Camp
Cards which adds to the fundraising total.
During last year’s inaugural event $43,000
was raised in support of Easter Seals
Saskatchewan. This year plans are already
underway for the second annual event with
new and enhanced features.
The Saskatchewan Abilities Council
would like to thank all the wonderful
supporters of these Easter Seals events.
Thank you for your
part in helping
children living with
disabilities succeed!
ArouNd ThE CouNCiL
EASTER SEALS™
DROP ZONE
Calling all Superheroes! The thrilling Easter Seals™ Drop
Zone will be in Regina August 23rd and Saskatoon August
25th. This is your chance to challenge yourself and change
lives by doing something extraordinary for children and
youth with disabilities. Rappel down a high-rise and you
become a superhero to kids waiting to go to Camp Easter
Seal. We guarantee it’s the height of excitement! Register as
an individual or as a team today
at thedropzone.ca. For more
information please call (306) 5699048 in Regina or (306) 374-4448
in Saskatoon or visit thedropzone.ca.
Brett Bradshaw and Jonathan Huntington/
Team Cameco; photo courtesy Stuart Kasdorf
SNOWARAMA - YORKTON
Over 235 snowmobile enthusiasts attended
Yorkton’s 37th Easter Seals Snowarama on
February 8th. The highlight of the event was
meeting Yorkton’s new Easter Seals Saskatchewan Ambassador Brooke Perpeluk who shared
her gratitude and joy for her time at Camp Easter Seal. Riders, donors, and sponsors raised
over $135,000 which will fund Easter Seals Saskatchewan programs Adaptive Technology,
Summer Fun, and Camp Easter Seal. Thank you to all involved!
26TH ANNUAL ABILITY BOWL
- SWIFT CURRENT
Can you SPARE some time for people with
varying abilities? Come out and bowl in support of the programs
and services provided by the Saskatchewan Abilities Council at
the 26th Annual Ability Bowl in Swift Current! All you need is a
team of 5 members who are willing to fund raise, dress up, and have
some fun! Please call Jessica at (306) 773-2076 or visit abilitybowl.ca
for more information.
Join the Saskatchewan
Abilities Council today!
Yes!
I know my membership will help improve the quality of life
for thousands of people living with disabilities in Saskatchewan.
Enclosed is my membership contribution of:
q$25.00 q$75.00 q$150.00 q surprise us! $_____________
q I am already a member, but I am purchasing a membership for _______________________
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PLEASE MAKE CHEQUE
PAYABLE AND MAIL TO:
Saskatchewan Abilities Council
2310 Louise Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7J 2C7
OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.abilitiescouncil.sk.ca
Notice
of 64th
Annual
General
Meeting
Friday
April 11, 2014
11:30 a.m.
Saskatchewan Abilities
Council, 2310 Louise Avenue,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Business to be conducted
will include:
• election of directors
• receipt of the
President’s Report
• receipt of the Executive
Directorʼs Report
• presentation of audited
financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2013
• appointment of auditors
• such other business as may
come before the meeting.
Copies of the audited financial
statements may be obtained from the
address below after April 11, 2014.
Saskatchewan Abilities Council
2310 Louise Avenue
SASKATOON SK S7J 2C7
Telephone: (306) 374-4448
Charitable Business #:
10795 5221 RR0001
Staff Profile
General Information
isionary, inclusive, leadership, team
member, these are just a few of the
terms that describe Yorkton’s Program
Manager Ms. Aleks Hoeber.
Board of Directors
V
Aleks Hoeber joined the Saskatchewan
Abilities Council over 11 years ago. Her
initial role was implementing and operating
the Vocational Evaluation Department
in Yorkton. In 2008, Aleks became the
Vocational Senior Supervisor developing
skills in leadership, program planning,
design and management. As of January
2014, Aleks holds
the position of
Program Manager
and oversees all
programs at the
Yorkton Branch. Her
focus on community
and social impact
will see the range
of programming
options grow for
Aleks Hoeber
individuals.
In 2011, Aleks completed SROI Accreditation
training (Social Return on Investment) and
began working on her case study to submit
for peer review. In August of 2012, Aleks
became one of three Accredited Practitioners
in Canada. To date, Aleks has trained over
100 individuals in Saskatchewan in Level 1
Introduction to SROI and Level 2 Advanced
SROI Application. In addition to providing
training, Aleks has completed “Introduction
to Supported Employment SROI Analysis”
and “Becoming Clubhouse Mental Health
Drop-in Centre SROI Analysis”. She is
currently working closely with the Ministry
of Social Services, Community Living
Services Division on analysing the “Crisis
Prevention and Support Program” and the
City of Yorkton on analyzing the social value
of “Transit Services”.
In the last year, Aleks played a key role in
developing the SROI Financial Proxies in
Saskatchewan through a partnership with
Community-University Institute for Social
Research, University of Saskatchewan.
We are proud and fortunate to have Aleks
as a part of the Yorkton Branch Team!
The Bulletin is published three times per year
and distributed free of charge to members of
the Saskatchewan Abilities Council. Articles
printed in the Bulletin may be reproduced with
written permission from the Saskatchewan
Abilities Council. For more information on our
programs, products, and services, please contact
one of our offices located across the province:
Steven Bobiash (Saskatoon)
Rose Cardiff (Regina)
Larry Goodfellow (Saskatoon)
Michelle Hunter (Regina)
Bruno Konecsni (Saskatoon)
Tamara Larre (Saskatoon)
Stan Lautsch (Swift Current)
Andy Livingston (Saskatoon)
Dr. Ulla Nielsen (Saskatoon)
Fran Nutter (Saskatoon)
Carolyn Rebeyka (Saskatoon)
Tom Spence (Saskatoon)
Doug Surtees (Saskatoon)
Frank Wilson (Watrous)
Provincial Services
(Saskatoon) . . . . . . . . . (306) 374-4448
Regina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (306) 569-9048
Saskatoon . . . . . . . . . . . (306) 653-1694
Swift Current. . . . . . . . . (306) 773-2076
President: Stan Lautsch
Executive Director: Ian Wilkinson
Editor: Mona Loshack
Design and Layout: OneOliveDesign
Yorkton . . . . . . . . . . . . . (306) 782-2463
Prince Albert . . . . . . . . . (306) 922-0225
Moose Jaw . . . . . . . . . . (306) 693-3020
We welcome your comments.
Saskatchewan Abilities Council
2310 Louise Avenue
Saskatoon SK S7J 2C7
phone: (306) 374-4448
fax: (306) 373-2665
email: [email protected]
www.abilitiescouncil.sk.ca
Charitable Business #: 10795 5221 RR0001
© Saskatchewan Abilities Council, 2014.
Saskatchewan Abilities Council
Programs & Services
VOCATIONAL
SERVICES
•
•
•
•
Employment Opportunities
Supported Employment
Support Services
Training
REHABILITATION
SERVICES
•
•
•
•
Adaptive Technology
Farmers with Disabilities
Orthopaedics
Parking Program for
People with Disabilities
• Special Needs Equipment
RECREATIONAL
PROGRAMS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Quality of Life Centres
Camp Easter Seal
Life Enrichment
SLYP-Out
Summer Fun
Access Transit