Issuu

SARC Update Summer 2021

CONTENTS

COR Expands Through Adventure

Jeffery Straker’s Pandemic Piano Backyard Tour

Helping You Be, Belong, Become (HUB) Summer Challenge

Elmwood Residences Inc. Welcomes Summer!

Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre Inc. Recognized with the Business Transformation Award

Marking a Milestone at Cosmopolitan Learning Centre

Kin Enterprises Back in Action!

BRSI Bridges Their Supports

Preventing Commercial Water Damage - Submitted by Butler Byers, plan partner for the SARC Insurance Program

SLP and the Importance of Language

About This Issue The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on all of our lives; events and celebrations were cut short, plans and activities were delayed, and visiting outside of your bubble was discouraged. As restrictions have lessened and SARC Members, their staff, and clients enjoyed the hot summer season, reconnecting with family, friends, and colleagues (safely) has been the theme of the season. While we begin to proceed with caution into a new version of what’s normal, this publication is an opportunity to share what it means to SARC and SARC Members to reconnect.

t’s hard to talk about the last year without mentioning the word pandemic or talking about COVID-19. We all experienced life in different ways and for many, lockdown meant isolation. That’s why we knew that this spring we needed to come out of the gates strong. We decided to develop a position called ‘The Adventurer’ whose sole focus is to find ways to connect no matter what the restrictions look like. And then we decided we needed to double our efforts! With two Adventurers we found our stride. Andrew Irwin-Pasloski and Calum Neill blew new life into our family. Not only did they bring passion and ambition to their role, but their infectious personalities and charismatic perspectives helped welcome the masses back into the world with open arms. Together our Adventurer team has tackled exciting events such as The COR Carnival, Stride All Terrain Hiking Crew, Photography Team, multiple weekly BBQ’s, and Support Appreciation nights— just to name a few! In addition to the outdoor weekly events, the Adventurers have developed educational programming intended to stimulate the mind while at home! With one of the Adventurers being passionate about gardening and growing, he helped develop a community garden which has taught our community about mindfulness and patience. “Dishing It Out,” is a program developed in conjunction with Inclusion Regina which intends to help people get excited about healthy eating and meal time again. Passion grows passion and the Adventurers have been able to tap into something special this year. The tough part about what’s happened over the last year and a half is that we truly do not know what is around the next corner. However, as we begin to uncover our success stories, a major theme that weaves through them is resiliency. When one mixes that with our Adventurer Dream Team we are confident that we are going to be able to come out of this mess more gracefully than the world went in!

Summer 2021

COR Expands through Adventure

SARC Update

n spite of Covid, we have been doing our best to help our participants stay busy, active and entertained. Generally, we have succeeded with video chats and Facebook parties, going out and line dancing in front of the group homes or in a little park where they could come in cars with their caregivers and watch in safety. We’ve gone walking with them at a safe distance and visited in backyards when the weather was good. We were fortunate to re-open in November with limited hours for some of our participants who were willing to come back. We did so in a safe manner with everyone wearing masks, hand sanitizing and getting their temperature taken. We also grouped participants in pods with people they lived with, and video chatting back and forth between the pods and their homes so they could keep connected. With the excitement of the summer season approaching, we thought what could we do to kick off summer in a big way? Restrictions hadn’t lifted yet so we tried to come up with something that would invigorate and spark a little fire into the participants. And really, what better way is there than a great outdoor concert? BTEC was able to book pianist, singer, songwriter, and host of Telemiracle, Jeffery Straker for not one but two concerts on July 8th in our backyard. Jeffery and his guitar player, Kris Craig, started at 1:00 p.m. with

Jeffery Straker’s Pandemic Piano Backyard Tour Submitted by BTEC

Summer 2021

a concert for our participants and caregivers, which went off brilliantly! The highlights for the show were the great storytelling and covers of such classics as John Denver’s ‘Country Roads’ and Ben E. King’s ‘Stand By Me’, which had all of the participants singing along. Our Client Council was happy to pay for the afternoon concert from the proceeds of our “New To You Bookstore” where the money goes directly to the participants for entertainment, activities and things that they want. They are also planning on a petting zoo in September, which is always a big hit. That same evening, Jeffery came back at 7:00 to perform for staff, family, friends, and volunteers. This was also a great success with people singing along and getting up to dance. Jeffery is a great entertainer and awesome with not only our participants but everyone else as well. BTEC

paid for this performance and it was well worth it. All we heard after the evening was done was when can we get him back to play for us again. The highlight of the day was when our participant Bradley handed him a paper and Jeffery thought he wanted his autograph but no, it was an invitation for Jeffery to participate in Bradley’s version of “Regina’s Got Talent” where the top prize was going to be 20 million dollars. We are not sure who is writing the cheque for that but we sure hope it’s not BTEC. All in all we would say if you get a chance to book Jeffery for a concert or take any of your participants to a concert in your community, do it, he is awesome.

SARC Update

Helping You Be, Belong, Become (HUB) Summer Challenge Submitted by SaskAbilities, Regina

Summer 2021

challenged themselves to spend 200 hours outside in July and August. To help make this happen, staff met participants at various parks and other outdoor locations in Regina. Participants chose which activities they wanted to do and the staff supported them to make it happen. Activities included arts and crafts, walking for miles, taking excellent care of our community garden plot, a remote control car rally and photography activities.

veryone knows that getting outdoors is good for our mental and physical health, but did you know that being outdoors could also contribute to our competitive spirit? That is what we were banking on at SaskAbilities – Regina Branch this summer! Our HUB program took on an Outdoor Challenge during the months of July and August! Inspired by the 1000 Hours Outside Program (https://www.1000hoursoutside. com/), participants from the Regina Branch

When asked what they enjoyed the most about the Summer Challenge, the participants told the staff that they liked seeing people again, taking care of the garden and enjoying the harvest from the garden. They also enjoyed being outside because all the fresh air and activities helped them to get a better night’s sleep! The challenge was a great success and will continue into the fall.

SARC Update

Elmwood Residences Inc. Welcomes Summer!

he residents of Elmwood were excited to re-engage with their community in August! It’s been a long time since residents were able to safely connect with their families, socialize with friends from other homes, and attend activities and events in the community. Elmwood’s Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) has met regularly since March of 2020 to assess the risk of community transmission and determine safety measures to protect our residents, clients, and Team Members. This Committee has now determined that the residents are safe to return to lowerrisk community activities with precautions in place including encouraged masking, extra hand hygiene, and targeted rapid Covid testing. We’ve kicked off our return to the community with a private viewing of the SUM Theatre in the Park performance of their show The Other Side of the River on July 28th, 2021. Residents and Team

Summer 2021

Elmwood’s Supportive Independent Living Program (SILP) participants have been experiencing an extra special summer thanks to the generous support of the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon. These individuals have felt isolated throughout the pandemic and with additional funding, our SILP Team has been able to reengage participants with each other and the community in fun and safe ways. Activities have included day trips to Pike Lake, visits to the Forestry Farm, go-karting at the Stoked Centre, beach days, delicious treats at local ice cream shops, and much more. In addition to Elmwood organized activities, our residents are again engaging and spending time with their loved ones. Our doors are open by appointment for outdoor and indoor visits, and residents are welcome to go on vacations with their families. To learn more and see our residents enjoyed their sumnmer, check us out on Facebook @ElmwoodResidencesInc.

Members from Kinsmen Manor and all 11 Community Homes attended this great Rock Opera and everyone was overjoyed to see each other. Many residents were singing along, and got the opportunity to visit with their old friends from SUM Theatre afterward. Elmwood’s wheelchair bowling league will also be returning to the bowling alley under the new team name of Brian’s Bowling Buddies in honour of former resident and avid bowler Brian Delday. We are excited to launch the team name with new shirts and ball ramps to residents when we get to the lanes in early August. We wish to thank the generous donor who made these team upgrades possible. Other exciting activities the residents are looking forward to include a private Prairie Lily tour on the South Saskatchewan River, an Elmwood Only week at the Youth Farm Bible Camp, Elmwood’s Carnival with Slip-n-Slide, and Elmwood Folkfest in August.

10 SARC Update

e have been carefully planning for in-person training to start back up in late August with many safety measures still in place. We will continue to limit group sizes, maintain physical distancing, and carry on with our previous cleaning and sanitizing practices. Learners are asked to continue to wear a mask when attending SARC training opportunities. PART and TLR Train-the-Trainer and Recertification sessions have been posted on our events calendar, so if your organization requires more trainers or has a trainer in need of recertification, be sure to register them for any of our in-person training sessions. Visit ww.sarclearningcentral.ca/events/ to register for the next PART and TLR session near you. In addition to in-person offerings, we also have virtual training sessions, including:

SARC’s Pension and Benefits Administration will be held virtually once again this year on September 21. Come and learn about updates, review how to administer the plans from our plan partners at Mercer, Sun Life, LifeWorks, and the Cooperators, and ask any questions you may have.

In October and November, we are pleased to be hosting two webinars on volunteer management for managers and board directors. The focus of these webinars will be strategies for recruiting and building retention. Leap to Organizational Success Are you new to your role as an executive director or have a senior leadership position at a nonprofit organization? Are you looking to build or enhance your management skills? Registration is now open for the Leap program – a management skill development program for nonprofit leaders. Leap consists of nine (9) sessions and contains a wealth of information, tools, and resources on best practices in the areas of Human Resources, Labour Relations, Financial Responsibilities, Branding and Engagement, and much more! New this year – a virtual option to take Leap. Normally in-person, this virtual option will allow more organizations from across the province to access the Leap program. Eligible COMPASS organizations, did you know that you can register up to two (2) people from your organization at no cost? Be sure to use your COMPASS code at checkout to receive this program at no cost.

Summer 2021

Fall Conference Update SARC’s Fall Conference will be held on October 27-28. We are working on a great line-up of speakers – you won’t want to miss this conference. Registration will open soon, so stay tuned! Supported Employment Success – a new course launching soon! SARC is excited to launch a new online training program in late 2021! Supported Employment Success – the Employment Professional’s Role, will examine the role of the employment professional

and what is needed to assist a job seeker to be successful in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining employment. Available online, this course will provide an employment professional with the tools, strategies, and resources needed in their role to help and support both the job seeker and the employer. Stay tuned to SARC Learning Central for updates! Please let us know if you have any questions about our in-person, online, and virtual training options – we're here to help!

SARC Update

Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre Inc.

RECOGNIZED WITH THE BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION AWARD

rince Albert and District Community Service Centre Inc. was recently recognized by the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce with the Business Transformation Award at this year’s Samuel McLeod Business Awards gala in recognition for their new and improved SARCAN Recycling depot. In 2017 the Community Service Centre completed construction on their new SARCAN Recycling depot on the south side of Prince Albert to replace their depot that they simply had outgrown! The goals for the new building were to enhance the customer experience while also enabling a safe, secure, and efficient workplace for the depot’s 34 employees. For customers, the new depot has expanded parking, automatic doors, a larger customer reception area, and a dedicated Drop & Go room for quicker visits. For employees, the depot features an expanded processing space, improved trailer loading, and bright and expanded break areas. Since opening to the public, the depot has collected over 16 million beverage containers a year and served almost 70,000 customers annually. This is an increase of almost 2 million more containers collected annually compared to the previous location. “It is quite an honor to receive the recognition…it is a reflection on how the community appreciates the improvement in our operations and to the improvement to the location,” said Bill Powalinsky, Chief Executive Officer for Prince Albert and District Community Service

Centre Inc. “Thanks to the support of the Board of Directors of Pine Industries and SARCAN for making this a reality”.

About the awards The Samuel McLeod Business Awards are named after Samuel McLeod, one of Prince Albert’s early settlers and entrepreneurs. The Business Transformation Award is presented to a business or organization that has completed renovations or a restoration project within the past two years and that has a “positive impact on its surrounding community”.

Summer 2021

Marking a Milestone

At Cosmopolitan Learning Centre We even had the privilege of acknowledging a current participant who (if you can believe it…) started at the centre on the exact opening day back in 1971 and another individual who started in September of that same year! Check out our Facebook page to take a walk through memory lane with some photos through the years as we want to share with everyone a mere glimpse of all that we have accomplished over 50 years! We want to give a special thank you to the Cosmopolitan Clubs of Regina who were instrumental in the creation of the centre and for their continual support of the organization and the people who we support.

2021

is quite a milestone year for Regina’s Cosmopolitan Learning Centre as we celebrate our 50th anniversary! The centre’s opening day was August 9th, 1971 and the organization has since grown from supporting 18 participants to over 230 individuals today! “Empowering people and building relationships in the community”…. words that we continually go back to that guide us every day in our work with people. It is no surprise then that our 50th anniversary celebration would be no different as our main goal was to ensure that everyone could take part in the celebration! We spent the day together with a morning carnival, photobooth shenanigans, a food truck lunch, a short event presentation, and an afternoon tailgate DJ dance party!

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of such a GREAT 50 years!!

SARC Update

KIN Enterprises Back in Action!

fter a year of being closed, Kin Enterprises reopened its doors to participants on April 5th 2021. April 5th was phase 1 of our reopening plan where we welcomed back participants in each of our programs. Our staff and participants embraced all of the new changes and beamed with joy as onsite programming began for the first time in over 12 months. After a successful Phase 1, Kin was excited to announce Phase 2 of our reopening plan on May 31st! All of the smiles and laughter brought life back to the programs, and we couldn’t be happier. July 19th was an incredible day for Kin as we announced the 3rd and final phase in our reopening plan. It is such an amazing feeling to have our participants and staff back in programs and connecting with the community again! Staff have introduced new programming and daily activities for our participants over the last couple months with much more exciting things to come! On Friday, August 6th, Kin Enterprises teamed up with Fresh Air Cinemas to host “A Night at the Drive In”. It has been such a challenging year for all of us at Kin, we wanted to celebrate our reopening with all of the participants, staff, caregivers and Board of Directors at Kin. Everyone was invited to attend the Drive In, snacks were given at the gate, our amazing staff prepared a BBQ and prizes were given out! It was a fantastic night with our Kin family filled with popcorn, entertainment, and, of course, great company! We look forward to all the new and exciting opportunities that Kin has to offer to our participants and the community! We cannot wait to welcome new participants to our programs and new staff to our team. We anticipate a wonderful year ahead and thank everyone for their love and support along the way.

Summer 2021

BRSI Bridges Their Supports

fter multiple meetings, design plans and paperwork, the renovations at BRIDGE are finally complete.

BRIDGE, which stands for Battlefords Residential Individual Development Growth Education is Battlefords Residential Services Inc. (BRSI)’s day program. BRIDGE provides programming for people with more challenging behaviours, emphasizing the personal development and growth of each individual by providing services that meet the needs of the individual. It is a community based recreational program which is flexible with programs specifically developed to meet the complex needs and interests of each individual. BRIDGE began in the spring of 1995 with 4 people with programming running out of a small rented house. As the years progressed and the need for an alternate day program for individuals within

BRSI increased, BRIDGE needed to find a larger space to operate out of. In 1999, BRIDGE began sharing the main floor of Innovation House, one of BRSI’s group homes. In 2012, the group home moved to a newly renovated home with BRIDGE remaining, occupying the space alone. While this was a positive move forward for the program, the design of the space did not function well for the expanding day program. Despite much of the programming being community based, a space would be needed that was open and large enough to accommodate all of the BRIDGE participants. Thus, BRIDGE’s renovation journey started. While there were many conversations and draft plans through the years, it was not until the summer of 2020 that BRSI’s vision for BRIDGE started to come to life. BRSI was fortunate to receive a capital grant from Community Living Service Delivery to assist with the conversion of BRIDGE from the 6-bedroom group home space that it was to a more open-concept space. Together, with considerable funds from the BRSI Board, a massive renovation began in December of 2020, including removing walls, relocating the kitchen and expanding/updating the bathrooms. Jeremy, BRSI’s amazing contractor, did a fabulous job of completing the renovation on time and on budget. With COVID now seemingly moving behind us, BRSI has started to introduce people back into the newly renovated space. While we know everyone is excited to get back to their pre-COVID life, they also appear to be loving their new bright, and open space. After being in lock-down for 15 months, everyone at BRIDGE is ready for some fun!

SARC Update

Preventing Commercial Water Damage

Submitted by Butler Byers, plan partner for the SARC Insurance Program

ater damage consistently ranks as one of the most common reasons for insurance claims among businesses. Water damage is not only expensive—it can also create potential health risks and bring the productivity of your business to a halt, costing you time and money. Fortunately, a variety of low-cost preventative measures can help reduce the threat of water damage to your business. While water damage is usually associated with flooding, the most common sources of water damage are often overlooked by businesses. Below are some of the most common water damage risks and ways you can mitigate those risks.

HVAC Systems Heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are necessary in maintaining a comfortable work environment. However, if these systems are not properly maintained, they can cause serious, costly water damage. Most HVAC systems produce condensation that needs to drain. Often, water is collected in a pan, and then is expelled through pipes either directly or with the assistance of a small pump. Excess accumulation in these pans can lead to corrosion and damaging water overflows. Take Action: Include HVAC systems in building

maintenance programs to ensure that all condensation collection pans, drains and condensation pumps are functioning properly.

Water Heaters Water heaters hold and transfer water continuously. When water heaters fail, they release water and can cause significant property damage. Over time, deposits accumulate on the bottom of the water heater tank and corrode the tank liner. Moving water can also cause substantial wear and tear on a water heater tank and piping. In some cases, water heaters fail gradually over time.

Water damage is not only expensive—it can also create potential health risks and bring the productivity of your business to a halt, costing you time and money. Take Action: Regularly inspect your water heater for signs of failure and replace the unit every 10 years. Consider installing a water catch pan with a drain connected to a waste line, sump pump or to another method of channeling water out of the building. Automatic shut-off valves are also a great way to limit damage in the event of a leak or unit failure.

Damaged Roofing Systems Your building’s roof is part of a complex system of coverings, flashing, metal work and sealants that

Summer 2021

Exterior Walls Exterior walls are designed to shed water; however, they are not built to hold back standing water. As water pushes against a building, it can deteriorate the protective layers, creating an entry point for water. The likelihood of water damage increases whenever landscaping or the grading of exterior soil allows water to drain toward or stand against walls. Take Action: A visual inspection is the best way to detect areas where water is accumulating against your building. Altering the grade of your landscaping or installing a drain tile network to divert water away from exterior walls can provide low-cost solutions. Additionally, make sure to assess exterior walls after prolonged or intense periods of rain. Look for signs of erosion along the foundation and repair these areas immediately. work together to keep water out. Leaks in your roofing system can lead to rot and mould growth, and can damage surfaces inside the building. Furthermore, severe roof damage can allow water to pool in your building, causing structural damage. Take Action: Regular roof inspections are imperative in order to prevent water damage caused by roof leaks. Visually inspect your roof to verify that draining systems are clear of debris and functioning properly. Regular inspections should be supplemented with assessments by professional roofing maintenance providers, who can correct small deficiencies before they create more serious problems. Moreover, you should identify areas of your building that are susceptible to unusual amounts of snow. Plan to pay close attention to removing snow in these areas during the winter months.

Faulty Windows Windows require routine maintenance in order to remain water tight. The most important features to inspect are the beads of caulk and the seals between the windows and the building structure. Windows that are improperly sealed can allow water to seep into your building. It is important to keep in mind that a more complex window system may require additional attention to prevent damage. Take Action: Evaluate windows often. Reapply caulk and repair sealants during window inspections. Make sure to inspect windows after severe storms and take immediate action to repair windows, if necessary.

Freeze-ups During severe cold spells, sprinkler systems and water pipes can freeze, burst and cause devastating water damage. Equipment that contains or uses water, produces condensation or relies on pneumatic controls is also susceptible to freezing and water bursts. Take Action: Proper preparation is vital to preventing costly freeze-ups. Before cold weather sets in, identify all equipment, processes and piping that are susceptible to freezing. Additional insulation can be added to the exterior of pipes that are at risk of freezing. You can prepare at-risk equipment for cold weather by doing the following: • • • •

Draining and securing any idle equipment Providing adequate heat or locating equipment in a heated enclosure Draining condensation from units Protecting it with suitable anti-freeze products

All building areas that are unusually difficult to heat or that lose heat rapidly should be identified. Maintain a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) in these areas and consider installing thermometers to help monitor temperatures. During the colder months, perform daily building inspections during periods of extreme cold to identify pipes that may be frozen. During inspections, turn

SARC Update

taps on and look for a steady stream of water. If water flow is slow or nonexistent, your pipes may be frozen. If you suspect that your pipes have frozen, have a professional plumber safely thaw them. Never attempt to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame. In the event of a burst pipe, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve and contact a licensed plumber immediately.

Sewer Backups Sewer backups occur when sewer systems are over capacity or when a blockage is present. The excess water created from blockages can force sewage into buildings through floor drains, toilets and sinks. Take Action: Sewer backups tend to develop over time, allowing businesses to take action before they reach a critical point. Having a professional inspect sewage lines regularly can allow for early detection of blockages. Licensed plumbers can install backwater valves on lateral sewer lines to prevent the sewage from backing up and flooding your building. One often overlooked cause of sewer backups are tree or shrub roots that penetrate pipes. Professional landscapers and plumbers can remove roots before it is too late. Businesses should also prohibit the disposal of clogcausing items like grease and other foreign objects via sink or toilet to reduce their chances of causing a backup.

Improper Preparation and Leak Response At times, serious water leaks are unavoidable. In these instances, it is imperative to act quickly to

limit the scope of damage. While many businesses prepare for fires, medical emergencies and other serious events, few implement water damage response plans. Take Action: All businesses should develop a water damage prevention and response plan. These plans will allow your employees to act as a vital first line of defence against water damage. Make sure your water damage plan includes the following items: • A water damage prevention checklist. • A list of emergency contacts for whenever water damage is discovered. • A leak-response kit, complete with mops, absorbent cloths, epoxy, plugs and wet-dry vacuums. • A valve-identification sheet complete with images and general descriptions, making it easy for employees to locate any shut-off valves in the event of a leak. • Water damage prevention training for employees that stresses the importance of reporting all signs of water damage no matter how minor the damage appears to be.

If you’ve got questions or are looking for information on insurance/risk management, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Butler Byers: p - 306-653-2233 e - myinsuranceteam@butlerbyers.com

Summer 2021

SLP AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE

Submitted by Ranch Ehrlo Society

ords are powerful. The language we use shapes ideas and beliefs. With that in mind, Ranch Ehrlo has made the decision to change the name of our program for adults and young people with multiple, complex developmental needs. The Program for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) will now be called the Supported Living Program (SLP). “Supported Living Programs or SLP will describe the service provided, rather than label the person served,” David Rivers, the vice-president of clinical services, said. Jane Powell, director of clinical services added, “We know that best practice is to use people first language, which emphasizes the person, not the disability so that the disability is no longer the defining characteristic of an individual, but one of several aspects of the whole person.” A people first perspective eliminates generalizations and stereotypes by focusing on the individual rather than the disability. Our words and the meanings we attach to them create attitudes, drive social policies and laws, influence our feelings and decisions, and affect people’s daily lives. “Renaming our programs to supported living reflects and reinforces the person-centered

values of mutual respect and shared power with the people that live in homes and utilize the supports,” Monica Rivers, a clinical consultant in the program, stated. “The use of inclusive language such as this is empowering; it acknowledges the contribution of the participants in the program. Removing program labels helps reduce stigma. Labels are for jars, not people.” The Ranch is used to understanding the importance of language and making changes. For example, in our SLP program, we refer to the people participating in our programs as ‘participants’ instead of ‘clients.’ For the SLP, this is their home and they participate in programming. Young people and adults also are at the Ranch for care and support as opposed to using the word treatment since once again, our programs are their homes, not a treatment centre. Dawn Ziffle, a clinical consultant, said PDD focuses on disabilities and paints the program in that light. “Renaming the programs focuses on the positive qualities of the participants,” Dawn said. “We are supporting them to live as independently as possible, this is more strength based and positive.”

SARC

SARC Main Office 111 Cardinal Crescent Saskatoon, SK S7L 6H5 P: 306-933-0616 F: (306) 653-3932 Email | contact@sarcan.sk.ca Visit | sarcsarcan.ca

Update

Summer

2021