R esourceful Futures

1. Issued Quarterly January 2019 ResourcefulFutures IN THIS ISSUE: *New Practicum Student *Committee Reports *Year of Disability Education *Diwali Festival Check out our new facebook page, Resourceful Futures QR code for Resourceful Futures Website. Scan using an app for QR codes If you have any news, suggestions, kudos, thank you’s or thoughts, please let Eric know in person, by phone at 403-531-8631 ext 1181, or by email at ericj@resourcefulfutures.org. Thank you and remember that YOUR contributions are what make the newsletter interesting and fun!

2. Closures for Office and Community Access Program Monday Feb 18 Family Day Friday April 19 Good Friday Wilma Millson DANCE SCHEDULE Clients requiring caregivers must be accompanied at all times. Dances run from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. On Saturdays January 19 February 2 February 16 March 9 March 23 April 6 Dances are held at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association, 1320 5th Ave NW Calgary

3. Director’s Corner January 2019 “Fear of change comes from a rational place. When people fear change, often it's because they question whether where you want to take them is better than where they are at now.” Welcome to 2019. By all the stories I have been hearing over the past couple weeks it sounds like everyone had a great holiday season. Once again, I would like to congratulate RFCSL’s planning committee and all the employees for an exceptional job planning all our Christmas activities and the annual Christmas dinner. The food, entertainment, the gifts, decorating were indeed beyond anything I was expecting. I would like to extend a special THANK YOU particularly to the Program Coordinators and Lisa for taking such an active role in planning, organizing and implementing fund raising events to ensure success of these types of events for our clients and employees. A special THANK YOU to Linda for always creating exceptional team building activities for the leadership team. They are always fun, creative, and cost effective. Last but not least, a HUGE SHOUT OUT to the Team Leaders, mentors and frontline staff for their collective, creative, cost effective ideas, activities and inclusion making each and every day an exciting place to work. These exceptional teams have a direct positive impact on RFCSL’s service outcomes/core values for ensuring the clients we serve experience a well-balanced, meaningful quality of life within the available financial resources. Well done team!!!!!!!!

4. If everything is running smooth, staff turnover is exceptionally low, clients are happy with their quality of life, community inclusion etc.. What is in store for RFCSL as we move into 2019 and beyond? How about we collectively develop a well thought out succession plan with full implementation!!!!!! Yes, we spoke in previous newsletter issues, in meetings etc. about the importance of moving our succession plan forward. That time has come. As some of you may have heard, Eric Jensen, one of RFCSL’s co-founders and Director of Administration for RFCSL, has provided a definitive 2020 target date for his full retirement. That date sounds far away, but in reality, we need this time to ensure a smooth transition and to ensure we have the right people in the right positions. As I was talking to some of the employees about Eric’s impending retirement, the topic came up as to when I was considering retirement. Although I do not have a definite date, in reality, we all retire at some point. During these informal retirement discussions, I have heard a consistent message. “Rob, this sounds serious and scary. We really hope whoever the successors are of Eric’s and your role, that he/she embraces our core values. We hope the new person(s) do not come on board changing everything we stand for. Everything we contributed to help RFCSL be one of the best employers around.” As I mentioned above, the low staff turnover rate speaks volumes of the employees’ commitment, support and contributions to the longevity of RFCSL while maintaining the core values. With that being said, as we move forward, we will see different faces in different positions and changes within leadership roles and responsibilities, but RFCSL’s Core Values will remain in full effect. Over the next while, as these changes start to occur, I will use the quote below to help guide me to demonstrate how the benefits of succession planning/implementation will outweigh the risks/fears for all! “Change cannot be credibly sold as only being beneficial. Every change also carries risk. To help others get over their fear of change, you have to show them how the benefits of change outweigh the risks.” Rob Halfyard, CEO

5. Coordinators’ Report It is that time to get back to the grind after our Christmas holidays.  It was great to have 11 days off to prepare, enjoy festivities, friends, family and gear up for the new year! We are very grateful for the support and commitment that you all provide to our individuals on a daily basis.  If at any time you require our assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.  Due to the unpredictable weather in our region, please continue to support our individuals with dressing appropriately, especially during the winter months.  If your individual is not feeling well and with a fever please have them stay home or make other arrangements.  We want to minimize spreading the illness to others. A special Thank You to Marylenn and Julius C. for the love and support to Donald Bushie during his short illness and passing.  Words cannot describe how you honored and celebrated his life. Rest in peace Donald. Thank You Brady M. (aka Santa Claus) for your kind and gentle way you treat everyone here at Resourceful Futures.  You are a sweet young man that we all enjoy having around. To all the MENTORS that assist the team leaders, staff,  individuals and coordinators.  You all do a remarkable job and makes doing OUR jobs easier. Happy New Year! May your 2019 be Blessed and Prosperous. Shelly, Kendra and Tracy

6. TRAININGResourceful Futures will be hosting some in house training February 27 –(Wednesday) 9:00-3:00 CPI open to day staff, residential and respite We are renewing all Subcontractors and Community access staff on the Positive Behaviour Supports Workshop March 02 –(Saturday) 9:00-4:00Positive Behaviour Support.  Lisa will invite those who require this and it is open to all respite staff.  Bring your last workbook please March 30 – (Saturday) 9:00-4:00 Positive Behaviour Support. Lisa will invite those who require this and it is open to all respite staff.  Bring your last workbook please

7. ALSO EXCITING NEWS • 2019 will be a year to celebrate disabilities.  We are arranging for monthly presentations to learn about different disabilities.  Your client, son/daughter may come home with projects, etc. from our day program as we are encouraging research using the disability as a topic for the month.  Here are the scheduled presentations for the next few months; • January 23, 2019 9:30-12:30 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FASD) February 06, 2019 9:30-12:00 Autism • March 13, 2019 9:30-12:30 Schizophrenia • April 10, 2019 9:30-12:00 Down Syndrome • EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH  • Please join me in saying “kudo’s” to our employees of the month • December, 2019 Heather Halfyard • November, 2019 Alice Zhang • October, 2019 Sharon Cui • Alice was successful in spinning the wheel to earn a day off with pay. Congrats Alice! • FILE UPDATES • Tax season is quickly approaching; please ensure the office has your current information, including any changes to your TD-1 tax deduction form, address, phone number, etc. Thank you!

8. Please review the following memo from Calgary Transit Access regarding weather considerations “Good afternoon Community Agency Partners, As safety is our top priority, we want to ensure customers are not spending excessive amounts of time onboard the vehicles or waiting long periods of time; we are highly encouraging customers and agencies to cancel non-essential tripsduring inclement weather conditions.” With this information in mind, please consider whether or not it is prudent to send your client to program during storm events. Thank you !!!

9. Community Access News Christmas season is the busiest yet the best time of the year. It’s a great time to reconnect with old and new family members and friends. Resourceful Futures as a family has developed a deeper family atmosphere through team work and supporting each other’s strength and weaknesses and accepting wholeheartedly each other’s flaws all throughout the year. During RFCSL’s Annual Christmas dinner, we have showed once again the spirit of unity as one family. In house activities such as Bingo and cosmetology class have contributed so much to the success of the “Bingo Bonanza Special, Christmas Edition”. Everyone was so excited with their special prizes! The money for these prizes was raised through Cantina revenue. Team Leaders put together a game for everyone to enjoy and have fun, “The Price is Right” where each person who purchased a ticket had a chance to guess the right price and win. Everybody showed teamwork for the person to be able to win the prize. Many thanks to our valued sponsors for the prizes (Eric, Rob, Lisa, Shelly, Tracy, Kendra, Jessamine, Marylenn, Sharon, Pathways Dental and RF Cosmetology Class). The day did not end without the appearance of Santa Claus with his traditional march with his elves. This year is embracing something new. Santa Claus gave out movie tickets as gifts to our individuals to enjoy together. We would like to give kudos to the RF live band (Josef, Patrick, Elmer) for your special talent in music. This year’s Christmas Party was extra special adding to the merriment of the occasion. Lastly, we would like to thank the Administration team for preparing a sumptuous dinner for everyone and for putting up a fun and memorable fund raising activity all year round for our beloved staff. Indeed it was a beautiful and unforgettable year. Looking forward to another year full of fun and memorable activities as family because Family is LOVE!

10. Cultural Corner Diwali is one of the most important festival of Hindus. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the length and breadth of India. It falls on the last week of October or in the starting days of November by the English calendar. Many legends are associated with this festival. It marks the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. As a matter of fact, Diwali is the symbol of the victory of the forces of good over evil. It is a festival of lights and firework. Great perpetrations are made for this festival. Everyone starts making arrangement one month before Diwali, new cloths are purchased, houses are cleaned and decorated with lights, flowers etc. People call and invite their nearest and dearest ones. On this festival, sweets are made and distributed among friends and relatives. People indulge in fun and frolic on the day of Diwali. New clothes are worn by the young and the old. At the same time during night, fire-works and crackers are also let off. The Bright flames of the fire-work present an exquisite sight in the dark night.

11. At night the people illuminate their houses, walls and terraces with earthen pots. The glittering lights in the darkness of night present a bewitching spectacle. Apart from houses, public buildings and government officers are also lit up. The scene of lights and illumination is very enchanting. The Hindus worship Lakshmi; the Goddess of wealth on this day. They say prayers, so that Goddess Lakshmi may visit their houses. Lakshmi Puja is the Puja of Lakshmi Goddess and is performed at the night during Diwali. Diwali festival is the festival of the whole country. It is celebrated in every nook and corner of our country. Thus this festival also creates a sense of oneness among the people. It becomes the symbol of unity. India has been celebrating this festival for thousands of years and continues to celebrate it even today which is both historical and religious. Thank you. From, Mentors

12. Committees Health and Safety Chair Jessamine C. , former mentor, now Team Leader Members Dinah B. Ousmane D. Marsha W. Colt M. Employee Relations Chair Rakesh P. Members Heather H. Elmer L. Jordan L. Client Relations Chair Sylvia B. Members Kim M, Jennifer B. Luisa M. A.J. Social/Cultural Diversity Chair Sharon C. Members Michelle T. Leeann M. Hayley B. Brady M.

13. Client Committee We said a sad goodbye to Dustin and welcomed Kim as a new member. One of our mandates was improving quality of life for clients. We are thankful for the great input from clients and staff and found that clients want to be independent and are interested in learning. Some of the areas discussed were: Reading, learning how to tell time, counting money-client Sharon is a great accountant! , Tying shoes, Keisha and Rowan are progressing well, just a reminder shoes are hanging on the art wall for everyone to use, Cooking with thanks to the Rehab Society. At the CET review last May, clients gave a heart rending presentation on their Rights using canvas that they had painted. Clients told us their dreams. One of the dreams was for our program to go to a movie. Rob, you are so great!. Thank you for making a dream come true! Much gratitude to SamSam who had affiliation with WINS (Women in Need Society) and now many clients are volunteering there. Thank you to Elmer who told us about the electronic dart game; we can see competitions on the horizon. We are looking forward to a NEW YEAR. Please remember to give us feedback and more of your great ideas. Sylvia, Jenn, A.J. , Luisa.

14. My Name is Jill and I am a Social Worker student. I’m enrolled at the University of Regina, and I was fortunate enough to land an out-of-province practicum here at Resourceful Futures. I’m planning to complete my Bachelor’s of Social Work this fall. I’m from Saskatoon, born and raised. I’ve volunteered with youth in the past, but this is my first experience working with those who have developmental disabilities. I’m very interested in Resourceful Future’s Day Program as I believe it is incredibly important to spend one’s day doing fun and meaningful activities. I’m hoping to learn all I can during my short four months here and I’m excited to continue to get to know the staff and clients