It's about understanding
Supported living services campus gets the word out about its organization
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, June 26, 2017
HAY RIVER
The Hay River Territorial Supportive Living Services campus has existed on Woodland Drive for about eight years.
A seventh-annual hotdog sale fundraiser was held June 15 at the Hay River Territorial Supportive Living Services campus. Resident Ernest Tambour, left, helped Lori Joy, the day program facilitator, prepare the food. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo |
But even after all that time, some people in Hay River may not be quite sure about the purpose of the facility.
Kiera Mapes, a personal support worker there, noted a lot of people in Hay River have never been inside the buildings.
"A lot of people don't know what this building is for," she said, referring to the main structure.
So to help change that lack of understanding, the Hay River Territorial Supportive Living Services campus - often referred to as SLS - used the recent NWT Disabilities Awareness Week to provide more information to the public.
It set up an information booth at the Hay River Regional Health Centre on June 13, held an open house on June 14, hosted its annual fundraising hotdog sale on June 15 and offered an appreciation cake at the health centre on June 16.
"We really want to get our name out there and let people know what we provide service-wise, and also that the people that reside here are community members," said Mapes.
"They're just like anyone else that lives in Hay River and they deserve to be treated as that."
The SLS campus - operated by the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority - consists of three houses, where 11 people reside.
There is also a larger main building for day program activities.
"The staff here provides support to all the residents that are staying in the houses," said Mapes, explaining that includes emotional and spiritual support, personal care, and outings in the community. "So basically we just facilitate whatever they want to do during the day and help them learn how to take care of themselves and be as independent as possible."
The residents can have either physical or mental disabilities, such as autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and cerebral palsy.
They range in age from the early 20s into the 60s.
Between 35 to 40 people work at the facility, which provides 24-hour care for its residents.
In addition, it offers innovative therapies, such as pet therapy with a bunny.
"That's also something that's different about us is that we're really trying the new stuff that is out there," said Mapes.
There is also a sensory room that provides visual, tactile and noise stimulation in a controlled environment.
"It's more of an area to just calm down and relax," said Mapes, noting many residents find the therapy beneficial.
She said this month's activities were opportunities to talk to community members how they can get involved with residents.
"How they can accommodate us in different programs, maybe job opportunities for our residents, ways we can help our community and be involved that way, which we are already," she said.
A couple of people who reside at the facility also work in the community.
"We promote community inclusion, and independence and empowerment for our residents," noted Mapes.
For example, she pointed to an initiative called Paper Hugs.
"It's a handmade card business, and our residents make the cards themselves," said Mapes.
Sara Swanson, the program supervisor at the SLS campus, said when it opened in 2009 there was some misunderstanding about what it does.
"I think that individuals with disabilities often feel stigmatized, and this is not unique to our situation at SLS," she said. "Over the past eight years, Hay River has become very accommodating and supportive with regard to including our residents in activities and various opportunities."
