Gateway Resources in Winkler provided supporters with a glimpse into the lives of its participants at its annual Faces of Gateway gala last week.
The fundraiser filled the banquet hall at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church and featured several Gateway participants and staff sharing what the agency means to them.
CEO Kim Nelson kicked the evening off by sharing a bit about Gateway’s history, current programs and services, and plans for the future.
“In 2001, the Valley Rehab Centre and the Association for Community Living Winkler-Morden merged to form Gateway Resources, and we continue to build on their strong foundation and have been making an impact in our communities for over 23 years,” she said, explaining the organization has a service agreement with the Department of Families to provide its residential, life enrichment, and employment services to individuals with intellectual disabilities.
“Over the years, the services have changed and have grown, however our vision of supporting adults living with an intellectual disability with person-centered goals and approaches remains strong.”
The agency currently employes 220 staff and support 190 clients in Morden-Winkler.
“We provide a wide range of holistic supports by focusing on the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of each individual,” Nelson said. “We do this by walking alongside the individuals in all areas of their life and encouraging, exploring, and empowering their choices.”
Community partnerships allow Gateway to offer a diverse range of programming, including its recycling operation. They process approximately 5.5 million pounds of recyclables from Winkler, Morden, and the RM of Stanley each year.
Gateway participants man the sorting line and bale up recyclable goods for resale, with funds generated going back into the organization’s other programs.
“This work allows people to have a meaningful job every day,” Nelson said. “And you will not find such dedicated and caring workers anywhere.”
Gateway’s participants also find fulfilling work in its newly expanded wood shop, which on average generates 24,000 crates, 10,000 pallets, and 19,000 crate spacers a year.
Gateway also helps its participants find gainful employment and volunteer positions in the community at large. Longtime relationships with numerous local businesses “show the strength of our community,” Nelson said.
In the months ahead, Gateway will be opening up new residential facilities (bringing its total to 19 staffed residences in Morden-Winkler) and also moving into its spacious new seniors programming building on Main St.
“This new space has been a dream for some time. It is a multi-use space for our organization combining two programs: seniors programming on the main floor and residential services on the second floor,” Nelson said, explaining it will provide apartments for individuals to live with support.
“I am so happy to see where Gateway is today,” Nelson noted, “and I look forward to the future of Gateway.”
Learning, building connections
Kimberlee Loewen currently attends day services at Gateway. She’s been involved with the agency for 14 years, working in a variety of areas, including the recycling depot and the box program.
“My favourite part of the day is my friends,” she said, noting Gateway has helped her with her daily routines.
Dan Eberling has been at Gateway since 1998. He currently attends day programming, works in the wood shop, and lives in one of the agency’s home share residences. He also has a job working at Eco Plus
“I’ve learned how to concentrate on the task at hand as well as how to be a good friend,” he shared. “I’ve learned how to manage my money, how to stamp crates, and be an Eco Plus deliverer.”
He said that his work at Gateway “gives me a purpose and it gets me out to work out in the community.”
Joanne Irwin lives in one of Gateway’s community homes and is a member of its senior activity program.
“I do crafting, going out for biscuits [at the Winkler Senior Centre] and I go out for meals once a month on Tuesdays,” she said.
Irwin said she’s learned a lot at Gateway, both during her many years working in its various employment programs and today in her retirement.
“I have learned more about baking and following recipes at my home and the senior program, as well as other life skills like laundry, cleaning my bedroom, and washing my floor.”
She loves the community at Gateway.
“I’ve been there for 33 years and I like coming back to visit and have coffee breaks with the staff and clients.”
Also taking the stage were Gateway staff members Tina Wolf and Angela Fehr.
Wolf took a job with the company 30 years ago and quickly fell in love with the work and the participants she was tasked with supporting.
“When I first started I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” she recalled. “It’s been nothing but the greatest pleasure of my life that I never even expected.”
Fehr currently works as a residential manager and likewise says her time with Gateway has been one of the best experiences of her career.
“The best thing about working with the clients and the participants at Gateway is the sense of community,” she shared. “We learn something new every day from staff, from participants—they show their heart on their sleeves and they share it with you.”
“[Gateway is] a place where you really experience that no matter what kind of challenge you go through, anything’s achievable.”
