Fall - Reena

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Kolreena Reena Kolreena Reena Kolreena Reena KolreenaSignificant Momentsby Liza Kocsondy, Resource WorkerI would like to share with everyone a moment Iexperienced recently with one of my clients at the AtlazWorkshop.I had supported Howard Zimmerman, by telephone, formany years when he worked in the community. When hisplace of employment suddenly shut down, I suggested areferral to the Atlaz Workshop. He has been with us foralmost two years. One of his jobs is to break down boxesand deposit them into a disposal bin outside. The other day,as he passed by me with an armful of boxes, he exclaimed “Ilove my job!” His smile went from ear to ear. I was againreminded of what it is about OUR job that gives us thesemoments of joy.Farewell Everyoneby Lanre Duyile, Resource SupervisorIt is my last day today so I am taking this opportunity tosay a big thanks to all of you that directly or indirectlyinfluenced my work at Reena. My years of service as anemployee at Reena have been quite exciting, eye-openingand a great opportunity to work with some of the smartest,innovative and forward-thinking people in the field. I havegained experience, education and the skills to worksuccessfully anywhere such that I can truly say that I came,I saw, I learned, I gave and I am fulfilled.Thank you all and I am missing you already.Outreach & Respite by Ann Szabo, Resource ManagerThe purpose of respite is to provide relief and/orsupport to families, enabling them to have a breakfrom their care giving responsibilities. It givesparents time to spend with their other children or take amuch-needed vacation without having to worry about whois caring for their family member. Respite means more thanjust giving family a break from the responsibility of a childwith special needs. At Reena we believe in quality respiteoptions with the opportunity for growth and developmentthrough socialization, skill building and peer interactionwhile having fun. Reena offers Respite to families in Torontoand York Region through a variety of social and recreationalprograms. These programs are offered in the evenings,Sundays and throughout the year with Summer Recreationand the Camp Northland experience a residential campoption, residential respite for adults and children, WinterRetreat and March Break.This past summer we offered our community familiessome options through piloted programs including a tot’sprogram for one week in August as well as a Counsellor InTraining (CIT) program in the same month. We also offered6 • Kolreena • September 2009the summer recreation program as a volunteer opportunityfor individuals who attend the Pathways to the Communityday program.The number of participants in our programs has notincreased but we have maintained a steady number due tothe increase in challenging individuals that we offer servicesto. Outreach and Respite program listed below would not bepossible without the support from our community familieswho attend and the generous donations that are madethrough the Reena Foundation.After School ClubAutism, Social Skills GroupCafé LundiCamp NorthlandCreative ArtsMarch BreakMod SquadMusic ProgramResidential Respite/ADULTSResidential Respite/KIDSSpecial Olympics/Bowling/BasketballSummer RecreationSunday FriendsSunday in the SunWinter Retreat
Kolreena Reena Kolreena Reena Kolreena Reena KolreenaReena takes precautionsby Minnie Ross, Manager, Communications/MarketingAre you prepared for the H1N1 flu pandemic? Reena is!Reena is committed to the health and safety of people withdevelopmental disabilities and we take this responsibilityvery seriously.When news of the H1N1 virus outbreak was firstannounced in the media, Reena saw the need to assemble ateam of managers and administration staff to assess thesituation and develop a plan of action to be put in place tocover all eventualities to ensure the continued well-beingof our population. Sandy Stemp, Reena’s ProgramDirector who has a nursing background, was given theformidable task of assembling a team of managers,supervisors and administration staff to prepare for apandemic which could happen this fall, according to WorldHealth Organization.Letters have already been mailed to families assuringthem that there will be a continuation of operations asmuch as possible in the Reena homes and that measuresare in place to guarantee the smooth running of everydayliving. We shall keep them informed on a regular basis.We shall update our website regularly (check ImportantGuidelines on H1N1 Flu Outbreak in www.reena.org. Wehave obtained a supply of N95 masks and all staff havebeen trained in mask fit testing; we have an agreementwith our regular pharmacies that there will be adequatesupplies of anti virals and other medical supplies available;supervisors will ensure that basic food supplies are storedin each home. Our plans are very meticulous and we arehappy to share our expertise with other agencies who mayseek our help.Thanks to Sandy Stemp and the members of theplanning team, staff are equipped, trained and ready to doeverything necessary to ensure the health of all membersof the Reena family.Some of the numbers!16,000 N95 masks in hand60,000 pairs of vinyl gloves178 litres of hand sanitizer380 staff have received mask fit training280 residential clients to be monitoredClifton Goes to the Theatre Submitted by: Katie Meilleur, Support WorkerOn May 13th, 2009, the guys at Cliftonhad the opportunity to go and see theshow ‘The Sound of Music’ playing atthe Princess of Wales Theatre indowntown Toronto. They had orderedpizza that evening, then got alldressed up and travelled downtown tothe theatre. Herschel was singingalong to the music, George’s eyesbrightened as he saw the actors andsingers bustling about across the stage.All of them seemed to enjoy the music!Marcus, Michael and Peter were theretoo, all having a good time, dressed tothe nines!A few of the people seated near us,were not too thrilled at our beingthere. Initially the Mirvish staff askedus to leave the theatre and watch theshow from a TV screen outside,because a few complaints were madeabout the enthusiastic appreciationexpressed by our group. However, wehad the opportunity to advocate forour clients, and were allowed toremain in the theatre and watch theremainder of the show.We continue to feel the need to raiseawareness within our surroundingcommunity that our clients have rightstoo, and hopefully in time, ourcommunities will come to see ourclients as active and contributingmembers of society!It was a late night for everyone! Theclients arrived back home shortlybefore 11pm, and went straight to bed,after arriving home shortly before11pm. All in all, it was a greatexperience of culture, and future showshave already been planned over thecoming summer months, with theexpectation of seeing “We will RockYou” next month! ---------------------Message from Sandy Keshen,President and CEOI am delighted to take this opportunity tothank you, Katie Meilleur and yourcolleagues at Clifton who accompaniedGeorge, Herschel, Marcus, Michaeland Peter to the theatre. You did a greatservice to our clients who had theopportunity to stay and watch the show.I thank you all for successfullydemonstrating Reena’s mandate that peoplewho have a developmental disability have aright to live fully integrated lives in thecommunity with dignity and respect.(L to r) George Zawadzki, Peter Spiegel,Marcus Lui and Herschel Abramczykenjoying the show.Kolreena • September 2009 • 7
Page 5: Kolreena Reena Kolreena Reena Kolre
Page 9 and 10: Reena Annual Report Reena Annual Re
Page 17 and 18: Kolreena Kolreena Reena Foundation

Fall - Reena

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?