penticton & district community resources society under...
TRANSCRIPT
Penticton & District Community Resources Society
Under the Umbrella Spring 2016
ED Quarterly
It is hard to believe that spring is upon us, but thank goodness it is! It’s been a busy winter at PDCRS and I’m excited to let you know about some of the winter happenings and things that we’ve been working on. While it seems like a long time ago, I was happy to see so many staff and volunteers at our annual Christmas Party. A big thanks to Karen Prosser and her team of elves who brought the whole event together. Recently we launched our new website and we are getting good feed-back about its look and feel. You’ll also notice that the community direc-tory section has been redesigned and is much more user friendly. Please feel free to send along any of your comments. Thank you to our partners at the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Prac-tice who helped us to complete this project. The year 2016 is going to be an exciting one for us at PDCRS as we
celebrate 50 years of service to community. The board of directors has developed an ad hoc commit-tee to plan for our 50
th anniversary. The committee has room for a few staff members to participate.
Please let me know if you are interested in this opportunity. We’ve been working hard to respond to new initiatives and opportunities to create innovative partner-ships. Recently we heard that, along with our partners, we were successful in moving to the next phase of bringing a Youth Health Centre to Penticton. The final submission is due April 22 and we should hear the results by the end of May. Stay tuned for this and other exciting developments! We have continued to be involved in community events and activities. We participated in Literacy Day activities at Cherry Lane (thanks to CCRR staff and at the Healthy Living Fair (Better at Home & Harm Reduction) on March 12; look for us next at the RV Show in April. Lastly, as we continue to learn and grow I’d like to tell you about some learning opportunities in which we have participated. Congratulations to Myrna Tischer, Better at Home Coordinator, who is partici-pating in the United Way of the Lower Mainland’s Public Policy Institute, a training and capacity build-ing program for non-profits to better understand and influence how governments make decisions on policy. Team Leader of Community Development Programs, Wendy Kenward, also recently present-ed some of our work on the Early Years as well as participated in the Collective Impact Training. As always, thanks for all the work that you do each and every day. Our participants are lucky to have you on their team.
Tanya Behardien
We want to hear from YOU!
Improving Communications at PDCRS At the Team leader retreat last fall, communication was identified as a priority for the organization. A committee of representative staff has been established to gather your feedback related to these out-comes:
1. PDCRS has clear communications systems for sharing and gathering information throughout the organization.
2. PDCRS develops and implements a communication plan for internal communication that
strengthens morale and culture. Over the next few weeks we will be reaching out to staff. Some ways we will gather information include:
Meeting with staff groups Meeting with individuals Agency wide survey
We welcome you to contact any committee member to share your ideas. Communication Committee Members: Tamara Chapman (lead) – [email protected] Carol Zumpano – [email protected] Linnette Gratton – [email protected] Corinne Valleau – [email protected] Carrie Reiter – [email protected] Diane Lindsay – [email protected] Tracy Ingbritson – [email protected] Marsha Lacroix – [email protected]
PDCRS hosts and administers
Kaylee’s Hero Fund which was
established in honour of Kaylee Kozari-
Bowland to support local families who
are fighting childhood cancer. The
funds will help lessen the financial
strain on families and can be used to
help with travel costs, childcare, food,
medication and more. A number of
events have been happening over the
last few months that have raised
almost $25,000 to start the fund.
Pictured with Tanya are Tammy Kozari
(left) and Jennifer Levesque.
Laura Hotson is Team Leader for all Youth & Family Services (IFD, SAIP, four school based programs, YES project, GP4me, Counselling, and FASD Key Worker).
She is a 17-year PDCRS employee who admits that the job “probably chose her” since she’s always looked upon herself as a caregiver.
Laura has worked in a variety of positions and pro-grams at PDCRS and greatly appreciated the flexibility her job allowed when her children were young.
Working closely with MCFD, the aforementioned programs support youth and families in crisis by providing parenting support and education, counsel-ling, conflict resolution, advocacy, school-based sup-port and an outreach clinic. It sounds like a tall order to me, but Laura is excited to be leading her team while still having the opportunity to be “a part of peo-ple’s growth”.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in 1956 and raised in Penticton. At 17, after graduation, I left and swore I would never again live in this “conservative” little town. After 34 years of journeying I chose to move back to this beautiful little community to raise my children.
Q: Describe your parents. What were they like? What did they do?
A: As I look back I realize that my parents were both far ahead of their time. Both from small farming com-munities in Manitoba and Ontario, they attended Uni-versity, travelled, philosophised, and made great con-tributions to their community. They moved to Penticton in 1953 where my dad opened the lab in the ‘then new’ hospital and headed it up for the rest of his ca-reer. There were no psychiatric or family services in Penticton at that time, and my mother passionately volunteered her time to bring in the first psychiatrist, community mental health programs, and the original community family resources society.
Q: What did you like most about school? Least?
A: I had a very nasty teacher in Grade 2 which tainted my entire experience of school through Grade 12. In hindsight I think it is a miracle I graduated, and a testament to a few special teachers who “saw me” and fuelled my tenacity to carry on. My passion and ‘fame’ in High School came from theatre which also served to keep me present and somewhat sane.
Q: What was your favourite music/band in high school?
A: Folk. I played guitar, and even in sleepy conserva-tive Penticton, I embraced the music of the peace movement/war protest.
Q: Did you attend college or university? Post second-ary degrees?
A: Interestingly enough, having graduated Grade 12 mainly with ‘P’s (pass, an acceptable category in those days) and a counsellor’s suggestion that I might succeed as a waitress or secretary, I first obtained a diploma in Residential Child Care (working with se-verely disturbed children) and then a Bachelor’s de-gree in Social Work. I am deviously happy to say that during college and university I obtained 95% A’s – maybe not my brain that was the problem…
Q: Are you married, or with a significant other? Do you have children?
A: I have two beautiful, successful and passionate children whom I raised on my own. My son has de-grees in Social Work and Education and is working in Edmonton at a job he loves. My daughter has com-pleted a degree in English and is taking a break before carrying on with her Masters in Library Sciences and Archival Studies. Now I live with my two dogs and a cat, very contentedly.
Q: What is your most memorable travel experience?
A: I travelled to Australia and Fiji with my Uncle Ernie, my true soul mate. We stayed on one of the small Fiji-an Islands for three weeks, in a wee bure (cabin) on the beach. As it happened, this was a period leading up to a coup of the current Fiji government and there was much suspicion and covert conflict between the two sides (native Fijians and Indian Fijians). We had quite a community of friends among the workers (native Fijians) on the Island who would often come to our bure to visit. Whenever there was a knock on the door they would dash to hide in the bathroom until they were sure of who was there. Seems we were un-wittingly part of a dark, political conspiracy….
Q: What is your most rebellious moment?
A: Most of my life has been a rebellious moment.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your work at PDCRS. We have a few questions relating to your job, along with 22 general questions (choose at least six, please). Don’t be shy—we want to hear your story! Your answers can be as comical, exciting, or dramatic as you like. If you would like to participate, email me at [email protected]
and I’ll send you the questions.
In Your Own Words ….
by Diane Lindsay
Seniors Services
Our partnership with the South Okanagan Seniors Wellness Society (SOSWS) is going strong and together, we are providing some great programs and services for seniors. Myrna Tischer (PDCRS), Misty Douglas (SOSWS), Nicole Peters (SOSWS) and Melanie Gale (PDCRS) ensure that Better at Home, Information & Referrals, Cooking up Connections and Out & About are running smoothly and seniors have someone to talk to about any of their needs. To volunteer or learn more about the services, stop in to see them at 330 Ellis or call either 492-5814 or 250-487-7455 to chat with any of the team members.
Christmas Luncheon
Twice a year we invite our participants and volunteers to join us for a lunch event and a chance to socialize. Each time the participation grows and the last event was our biggest yet. Special thanks go out to the Uplands School Choir, Pen High Leadership Class and Shatford Centre Community Kitchen. A good time was had by all!! On another note: We invite PDCRS staff members to consider volunteering for our programs. There are many opportunities to assist our senior population and the time commitment can vary from the odd request to an hour or so on a weekly basis as a friendly visitor. We are always in need of volunteer drivers, visitors, help with grocery shopping, small household tasks or gardening. Any interest in helping out with our group social programs or office support is also welcome.
The Uplands School Choir students were awesome and after the performance they went around and
gave hugs to the audience.
Cooking Up Connections This program brings seniors together to socialize, connect with others, cook, eat and learn. It was started by the Seniors Wellness Society with grant funding through the Community Foundation as a pilot project. It became so popular we just had to continue. We have created a relaxing and fun environment where people can enjoy learning about healthy meals as well as meeting new people and establishing friendships. Sessions take place at Cherry Park Retirement Residence twice a month. A Holistic Nutritionist provides education on different types of meals. Participants enjoy lunch together and get food to take home after the session.
Raina Lutz
Holistic Nutritionist
Teresa Wiltse, Alisa Senecal, Melanie Gale, Nicole Peters
Anita Bains, Holistic Nutritionist
Please send your submissions to
HAPPENINGS
The Alternate School..
A very busy place
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I love it when someone’s laugh is
funnier than the joke
Anonymous
FREE
Sealy Up Lifestyle Base (double bed box spring) barely used motorized box spring that powers the head of the mattress up to a 60 degree angle. The foot of the bed is held in place with a metal rest. A very solid heavy construction. Offered free to someone "in need" within the Society. Contact Herb @ 250-488-1439 if you're interested.
Column Information
Do you have something you or some-one you know may need, be looking for or willing to part with if needed? Let us know. Please submit information to [email protected].
MKO Alterations
Do you need a pair of pants hemmed, or a zipper changed? Reasonable prices. Just call Marie @ 250-460-1848.
8 THINGS TO GIVE UP
1. Doubting yourself
2. Negative thinking
3. Fear of failure
4. Criticizing others
5. Negative self-talk
6. Procrastination
7. Fear of success
8. People pleasing
Anonymous
Send your ideas for articles, features, kudos, etc. to [email protected]
The deadline for submissions is:
*May 10, 2016*
Our Vision
A strong community with opportunities for all
HEALTH AND SAFETY CORNER
Here are a few seasonal reminders: Spring maintenance to furnaces and air conditioning
units will not only have these units running more efficiently but will prevent fire hazards. After some research I learned that electric heating units do need a yearly maintenance for the same reason.
Any buildings with sprinkler systems should also get
their yearly pressure test done this time of year. We would not like to have a leak found in the winter. Yuck! Or worse, have the sprinklers not work when we need them. The Fire Department does not inspect sprinkler systems. Please check your yellow pages for local certified inspectors.
Summer is just around the corner. Most of us enjoy
our beaches and other fun summer activities. Usually we are wearing sandals or other summer footwear. However at the worksite, we are re-quired to have our toes covered as per PDCRS policies and WorkSafe BC guidelines.
If you are injured and you are not wearing the appro-
priate footwear, WorkSafe BC can refuse to pay your claim and leave you with no income while on LOA. So throw your work shoes in the trunk of your car and enjoy the beach until your shift starts.
Of course we all need to remember sun safety. Drink
lots of water, wear a hat, and sunscreen. Limit time in direct sunlight and heat. Play safe.
Diana Nicholson
Health and Safety Chair
JOKE OF THE DAY
Why aren’t koalas actual bears? They don’t meet the koalifications
Marc Girouard took this picture atop Gerry Mountain during a rest period while biking with a friend. It was taken above the radio tower in Penticton which is accessible by helicopter, extremely tough 4x4 vehicle or extreme biking on the service road.
What a view of Penticton… Thank you Marc