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Volume 45, Number 2, June 2013
“I WANT THAT JOB!”
K
evin started at the Saskatchewan
Abilities Council, Swift Current
Branch in May 2003 as a work experience
student from the local high school. He
began attending the Training Centre after
his high school graduation in June 2004.
Initially, Kevin was a quiet young man,
speaking in hushed tones, moving silently,
trying hard not to attract attention of any
kind. Kevin was nervous about any new
change or challenge.
He began training in the Assembly Area,
and it quickly became apparent that he
had more of an interest in Wood Products.
Kevin moved to the Wood Products area
in February 2005, and between 2005
and 2009 he learned to set aside his
apprehension and use the air nailer, radial
arm saw and the table saw. Honing his
skills, Kevin made stakes and lath, cut
wood planks for building picnic tables,
benches, and pallets, as well as assembled
side supports for Batco shipping crates. He
was also introduced to using the shredder
and baler for the RecyclAbility confidential
paper shredding. Over time, Kevin was
able to help out anywhere he was needed.
He kept to himself and made friends with
only a few peers. Quite often when staff
approached, he would veer off to his job
or talk in quiet tones—so quiet one could
wonder if he had spoken at all.
In December 2008, Kevin unexpectedly
marched into the Program Supervisor’s office
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40069020
Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:
Saskatchewan Abilities Council
2310 Louise Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7J 2C7
OUR VISION
one day and said “Melissa, I want that job”.
After the initial shock of his appearance in
the office and hearing a request made in such
a confident voice, it turned out Kevin was
Kevin, at work
interested in working at the City Recycling
Depot. This is a joint venture between the
Saskatchewan Abilities Council and the City
of Swift Current to provide a recycling centre
for city residents. Again, he was quiet, shy,
and lacked confidence in his ability to do
what was required. He began by learning
how to do the sorting and over time, he
showed an interest in assisting city residents
with their recycling. It wasn’t long before
Kevin was out in front assisting the public
with their recycling needs. He has proven
himself to be a valuable staff member at the
depot. His strong work ethic, coupled with
his dedication to making a high quality end
product is appreciated by everybody who
works with him.
Kevin’s ability to adjust to changes in his
life and open himself to new opportunities
continues to grow. He has moved from
his family home into an assisted-living
house with other young men. He continues
to explore further opportunities that the
Saskatchewan Abilities Council offers in
Swift Current. Along with working at the
Training Centre in Wood Products and the
City Recycle Depot, Kevin has also been
involved in the Community Program. This
includes picking up residents’ household
recycling from homes, apartments, churches
and schools, and taking it to the City Recycle
Depot. It also involves going to businesses
and picking up paper for RecyclAbility or
confidential shredding, emptying plastic
bottle bins from businesses, weeding flower
beds for local long-term care centres, as well
as delivering posters for fundraisers and
events to local businesses.
Lest anyone think that Kevin is “all work and
no play”, Kevin has also become involved in
the Community Program and recently joined
his peers for bowling, going out for coffee,
running errands and walking for wellness.
It took about three to four months for Kevin
to become comfortable with his peers, and
his increased confidence has spilled over to
his interactions with the customers at the
Recycle Depot.
We are all very proud of his progress, and
are less surprised when Kevin shares with
us a new venture he would like to try, but
just as willing to help him, to see his bright
smile as he appreciates and enjoys each
new opportunity.
--------------------------------------------- Contributors: Bob Taylor,
Melissa Smart, Jessica Sauder
& Carol Lemon
Working together to enrich futures through abilities.
Staff Profile
J
anet Dillabaugh joined the Swift
Current Branch on December 1, 2012
as the Regional Director. She spent
the last 5 years in a senior management
position with the Ministry of Social
Services and was part of the Service
Delivery Task Team responsible for the
implementation of the Saskatchewan
Assured Income for Disability.
As a result of her 20 years with
government and 7 years in a
community-based organization, she
brings a broad range of knowledge and
experience to the Council.
Janet Dillabaugh,
Regional Director
Swift Current
Branch
Janet is a wife of 30 years to her
husband Ken who is employed with the
Ministry of Environment and a mother
to their 9 year old daughter, Mackenzie.
In her spare time she enjoys cheering
on the Swift Current Broncos, fishing,
walking, as well as spending time with
friends and family. She is currently in
the last year of a master’s program in
Leadership and Management.
PARTNERS
IN EMPLOyMENT
MOVES TO
A BETTER
SPACE
W
e didn’t move far but after several
years on the third floor of the EI
Wood building in Swift Current, Partners
in Employment has found a new and more
efficient space on the second floor. The move
took place in the last few weeks of December
2012, after a few minor renovations were
completed to the new office space. Partners
in Employment staff were able to complete
the move with no interruption in services to
clients and partner businesses.
While wind and blowing snow warnings
were in effect on Tuesday January 29, 2013
in Swift Current, Partners in Employment
held a remarkably successful Open House.
Over 16 businesses and agencies braved
the blizzard and toured the new office.
Participants, business owners, staff,
referring agencies and the general public
all agree the new office space is a pleasant
improvement over the previous area.
------------------------ Joan Cameron, Sandra Brong
Janet approaches life on the premise
that all people have value and should
be treated with dignity and respect
regardless of life circumstance. Her life
goal is to play a small part in making
the lives of those around her better and
more meaningful.
Ivonne Rodriguez, client, signing guest book
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
SWIfT
CuRRENT
BRANCH
GROWTH
WITH NEW
WOOD
CERTIfICATION
Client: Colin Ringrose (L)
Production foreperson: Tony Exposito (R)
G
reat news! The Swift Current
Training Centre received its official
wood certification in the fall of 2012.
This certification allows the Centre to
manufacture wood crates that are used
by several local manufacturers to ship
their products to countries such as Russia,
Australia and the United States.
This will help create jobs and generate
revenue for the Branch so that crates can
be exported around the world. One of the
larger suppliers is now expanding and this
will result in more demand for products.
This is a great training opportunity for
people living with disabilities as everyone
can contribute to the making of crates
of any size.
The Centre also has the ability to track
all lumber from the mill to its final
destination and guarantee that the wood is
heat-treated, insect and bark-free, ensuring
no disease or infestation can be transferred
in the shipment.
AROuND THE COuNCIL
“I GET A WARM
FUZZY FEELING….”
ABILITY BOWL
25TH ANNIVERSARY
J
im Pratt grew up in an area west of
Saskatoon. He went to a country
school and finished his secondary
schooling in Perdue. Jim graduated
from the University of Saskatchewan in
1969 with a degree in Agriculture.
The 25th Annual Ability Bowl was a huge success with
36 teams raising $69,411 and we’re not finished yet!
The Great Plains College team and two teams from
the Kinsmen bowled in memory of Bryce Molyneux.
Ability Bowl was Bryce’s special project. Not only was
he the team captain of the Kinsmen Ability Bowl team,
he was also one of the major fundraisers for this event.
The Great Plains College team pooled all the funds they raised. Not
surprisingly, their team won a major prize which will be raffled off at a later
date. Two more winners generously donated their prizes to the raffle as well.
All money raised from the raffle will be given to the Abilities Council in Bryce’s
memory as part of the funds raised for Ability Bowl.
Regina–August 24, 2013–8th Annual
Saskatoon–August 27, 2013–9th Annual
Jim’s interest in the Council began with his
involvement with the Swift Current Lions
Club. The Lions Club was approached
by the Council to sponsor the bus that
takes campers to Camp Easter Seal every
summer. The club has jointly sponsored
the bus with the Kiwanis and the Elks for
the last 25 years. Every year, club members
wave goodbye to campers as they prepare
to leave for camp. “They are very excited
and full of anticipation. They really
look forward to camp,” says Jim.
This thrilling event is your chance to do something
extraordinary. By rappelling down the side of one of the
city’s tallest buildings, you become an Easter Seals™ Drop
Zone Superhero.
It takes courage, a big heart, a fun costume (optional), and
the ability to raise $1,500 in pledges (the cost to send one
child to camp) to support the Easter Seals™ Saskatchewan
programs: Camp Easter Seal, Adaptive Technology, and
Summer Fun.
After seeing the joy and satisfaction
involved in sponsoring the Camp Easter
Seal bus, his interest in the Council was
piqued because many of the campers
were also clients of the Council. The
Lions were invited to the Council for
coffee with some of the clients after
they returned from camp. They shared
their wonderful stories. Jim says, “it
was a joy to be a part of that.”
To become or to support an Easter Seals™ Drop Zone
Superhero, and make a difference in the lives of kids who
live with disabilities, please go to www.thedropzone.ca, or
call (306) 374-4448–Saskatoon, or (306) 569-9048–Regina.
This is one experience you don’t want to miss!
Join the Saskatchewan
Abilities Council today!
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 _______________________
Name _________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________
City/Town ____________________ Postal Code _______________
Email _________________________________________________
Jim and Bev Pratt
He worked
with the
Extension
Service of the Provincial Government
for 35 years. In 1976 he and his wife
Bev moved to Swift Current.
EASTER SEALS™
DROP ZONE
Yes!
Donor Profile
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
Jim has been a Member Leader donor
with the Council for many years.
“It’s a privilege to give to this
organization. I get a warm, fuzzy
feeling anytime I have anything to
do with the Saskatchewan Abilities
Council. Seeing the clients doing wood
working and sewing, working at the
SARCAN recycling depot, one of the
busiest places in Swift Current, they
certainly give back to the community.”
Staff Profile
General Information
NEW OPERATIONS
MANAGER MAKES
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Board of Directors
D
ale Lowe assumed the role of
Operations Manager on October
9, 2012 and oversees the Training
Centre, Recycling Depot, and SARCAN
operations. Dale was born and raised
in the community of Swift Current and
was employed with the Pioneer Co-op
for twenty-nine years. He is married
to Samantha and they have two young
daughters, Cassie and Jenna.
Dale Lowe,
Operations
Manager
Swift Current
Branch
Steven Bobiash (Zelma)
Rose Cardiff (Regina)
Larry Goodfellow (Saskatoon)
Corrin Harper (Saskatoon)
Michelle Hunter (Regina)
Bruno Konecsni (Saskatoon)
Tamara Larre (Saskatoon)
Stan Lautsch (Swift Current)
Jeff Lightheart (Regina)
Andy Livingston (Saskatoon)
Betty McDougall (Swift Current)
Dr. Ulla Nielsen (Saskatoon)
Fran Nutter (Saskatoon)
Carolyn Rebeyka (Saskatoon)
Tom Spence (Saskatoon)
Doug Surtees (Saskatoon)
Frank Wilson (Watrous)
President: Stan Lautsch
Executive Director: Ian Wilkinson
Editors: Jan Spencer, Mona Loshack
Design and Layout: St Solo
Regina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (306) 569-9048
Saskatoon . . . . . . . . . . . (306) 653-1694
Swift Current. . . . . . . . . (306) 773-2076
Yorkton . . . . . . . . . . . . . (306) 782-2463
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, 2013.
He has already made an impact
through improvements to equipment
and updating the overall premises. His
knowledge, skill, and abilities with
regard to business and operations are
a proven asset to the Council.
Dale is a welcome addition to the Swift
Current Branch of the Council.
Provincial Services
(Saskatoon) . . . . . . . . . (306) 374-4448
Prince Albert . . . . . . . . . (306) 922-0225
Dale is adjusting to his new position
with the Council and enjoys the “helping
others” aspect of his job. He understands
the mission of the Council as he lives
with a disability of his own – Perthes,
a degenerative bone disease. Dale wore
braces on his legs for close to three years
and has endured 6 hip surgeries.
Dale likes to keep busy and usually has a
home project on-the-go. He renovated his
basement and built a two-story playhouse
in the backyard for his daughters.
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:
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
•
•
•
•
•
•
Activity Centres
Camp Easter Seal
Life Enrichment
SLYP-Out
Summer Fun
Access Transit