Fire at Main Office Building
Earlier this week our main office at 717 Portage Ave caught fire, causing damage to the eastern half of the main floor. Luckily nobody was injured in the accident, but there was extensive damage done to a portion of our first-floor rooms.
As of now, our building is inaccessible to staff and community members due to smoke and water damage, but we will provide updates in the following weeks/months when changes arise.
For now, we work to the best of our abilities remotely except for those working on shifts in the 24/7 areas.
This is not the way we wanted to start off 2022, but it WILL get better and we will carry on our good work!
Thank you for your commitment to New Directions!
R.A.P – No Longer Off Campus!
The Resources for Adolescent Parents (RAP) classroom moved on campus to Gordon Bell High School this past September. This move from an off-campus classroom has brought several great changes to the program. They now have two classrooms and use one as a quiet room, lunchroom, and tutoring/counselling room. The program is also located beside the Gordon Bell Child Care lab, giving students the opportunity to register their children in childcare if they want.
The on-campus classroom has been a different experience, but staff are excited to see their students in class with other Gordon Bell students, when they are ready to take courses outside of the RAP classroom. It is almost the end of their first semester on campus, and the entire RAP team are excited to see, as they get closer to the end of their first year, the successes of the RAP students!
New Service Manager in Portage la Prairie
We are pleased to share that Jason Dyck has joined our Adult Services management team. Jason previously worked as the Executive Director of Prairie Partners in Boissevain, and, in his more recent position, the Executive Director of Arcane Horizon based out of Winnipeg.
Jason lives in the Southwest region of the Province with his wife Carla, an ancient dog, honeybees, and 18,936 cats (well 3 actually), and is the proud father of 2 daughters. Jason and Carla are currently building a house on their acreage south of Portage la Prairie, and Jason is passionate about woodworking, gardening, wilderness camping, canoeing, cooking, and winemaking.
We look forward to further expanding our Adult Services within the Portage La Prairie and surrounding regions under Jason’s leadership. Welcome Jason!
Adopting Personal Outcome Measures
What are Personal Outcome Measures?
Personal Outcome Measures or POM is a planning tool that asks people who are supported what they would like their life to look like. There are 21 “outcomes” or indicators that ask about important things in 5 broad categories- My Human Security, My Community, My Relationships, My Choices and My Goals.
Services at New Directions have been moving towards Personal Outcome Measurements to better serve our community members.
Find out more about Personal Outcome Measurements here.
Home Share Holiday Party
Adult Home Share hosted a Zoom event, for the individuals supported within the program, giving them an opportunity to connect, celebrate and sing with others in the program. Staff delivered about 35 different treat bags full of chocolate, candy canes, popcorn, crafts and a Christmas cracker.
Along with the music event, individuals enjoyed doing a creative craft competition. Event co-creator, Tanya Baker (music therapist) facilitated a fun festive environment encouraging everyone’s participation. Individuals had a chance in the spotlight, and sang there favorite Christmas Carol.
It was great to see everyone connecting virtually and building those relationships with one another.
Training Opportunities for Youth Holiday Party
Staff and Students in the Training Opportunities for Youth program celebrated the holidays with some friendly (and socially distanced) games of jeopardy, charades, and even a little gift stealing.
Santa also made an appearance, bringing gifts and activities for the students after enjoying a delicious meal together.
Very nice