Richard Perchotte speaks to the caring, compassion, understanding and confidentiality these volunteers show the people they help
Selkirk MLA Richard Perchotte has been on a roll making sure that the many amazing organizations in our community are brought to the attention of the Manitoba Legislature. During National Volunteer Week, he chose to highlight Service to Seniors volunteers in a member statement.
During his speech, Perchotte said that though the volunteers at Services to Seniors are motivated to volunteer for many different reasons, they all have a tremendous impact in Selkirk and the surrounding area.
“In the course of a year, these volunteers help over 3,000 individuals with the services and programs necessary for independent living,” he said.
Helen Brosowsky, program manager for Selkirk Services to Seniors, said that they were elated to find out from Perchotte that Selkirk Services to Seniors volunteers were going to be recognized in this way.
“I think they were all very honoured and very humbled,” said Brosowsky.
Services to Seniors Selkirk is a non-profit also known as the Selkirk & District Seniors Resource Council that works with residents in the City of Selkirk and the RMs of St. Andrews and St. Clements to find ways that older adults in our communities can stay safely independently in their own homes.
“We have handy people who do yard work as well as grass cutting and snow removal. We have a Friendly Visitor Program for people who are unable [to get out] or lonely. We have a Lifeline Service through the program, which we have a very active program here. Our staff, we’re local and so we handle all of our clients ourselves,” said Brosowsky.
This organization has been in our community for decades and is meant to address the gap before people need home care when they are still in their homes but might need a hand here and there.
To do this they have many programs like Meals on Wheels which provides nutritious meals several times a week, and the Handi-Helper program which provides fee-for-service work at reasonable rates for things like housekeeping and home maintenance. They can also help people with the completion of an Emergency Response Information Kit and provide form assistance & resource information.
“The driver escort program. That’s one of our biggest programs,” said Jayme Anderson, resource coordinator for Selkirk Services to Seniors.
“We will match up seniors that are calling in for rides as best we can with a driver. We will get them to medical appointments in Winnipeg. We will get them to medical appointments here within Selkirk. There’s such a need for transportation, especially in rural areas. So, it’s definitely one of the ones that keeps us very busy.”
Anderson says that bridging the gaps in services provided by other programs is important.
“Simple things like keeping a clean space, keeping a healthy space, being able to get in and out of their driveways in the winter time. We have handi-helpers that can come and help do that. A lot of these people might have family but a lot of them might not. We do come across quite a few people that don’t have family involvement and they rely heavily on our programs to be able to just stay in their homes and not go into the system. Essentially, with our system, as overwhelmed as it is right now, it’s essential for us to be able to keep people in their homes, healthy and as safe as possible,” said Anderson.
Brosowsky explained that the program doesn’t do for people but does with them. This means that they work with people connecting them to volunteers and contractors who’ve undergone criminal record checks so that they can get the services that they ask for help with.
Services to Seniors is always welcoming to new volunteers and willing to partner with locals who provide housekeeping and home maintenance fee-for-service work.
As for the future of the organization, they will continue to provide services in our community. Residents should also know that since tax time is just around the corner, Services to Seniors will also act as a referral service connecting people 65 plus with tax professionals, clinics, and senior initiatives including hearing aids, dental plans and many other programs that could be helpful.
Brosowsky and Anderson thank Perchotte for recognizing the organization’s volunteers and all the good work that they do in the community.
“He definitely put his money where his mouth is recognizing our volunteers,” said Brosowsky.
Perchotte for his part was glad to be able to recognize these volunteers who help to make our community a better place.
“It is extremely important to praise the directors, managers, volunteers and supporting organizations that continue to make life better for our 65-plus community. Volunteerism is declining throughout the Province and it is clearly abundant how their gift of time enhances the lives of our seniors,” he said.
