Meet Our COR Family: Kassie Robinson

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Hey, I’m Kassie! I am currently a Team Leader and have been at COR for almost four years! I pursued a Bachelor of Kinesiology beginning in the fall of 2016. During my time at the University of Regina, I had the opportunity to learn about COR through my disability studies class. I watched a presentation given by Serena, who is supported by COR, and another presentation given by Kasey Mahnic, who is a family support and counsellor for COR. I applied for COR during my undergrad and began my journey in 2018. Coincidentally, I ended up supporting with Serena’s team, and would later accompany her to a similar presentation at the university!

The wonderful part of being a team leader (TL) is the ability to chase my interests in the workplace. I can work on teaching my team more about Gentle Teaching. I can work on building relationships with those on my team, and those we serve. Being a part of COR has really ignited my passion for being a good community member. A strong community with good values has helped some of the people we serve to get to where they are. If I had to nail down my favourite thing to be a part of in COR, it’s furthering the organization’s mission, and nurturing good communities. Honestly, I’m proud to be part of an organization that prioritizes me. I feel like my skills and talents are recognized more frequently by not only the people on my team, but also other team leads, and senior leadership. COR is an easy organization to be proud of in turn – their emphasis on building relationships extends to their employees. I feel like I’ve grown so much, in communication, leadership, kindness, gentleness, humour, and emotional intelligence. We are leading in our sector and forging our own path – something that I think is necessary for a future that is fruitful for everyone.

I always tell new supports to walk in with an open mind. Gentle Teaching is easy to understand, but when it comes down to having to put your feelings and conditioned beliefs aside, it can be really difficult. Support’s who are open-minded and open to feedback and collaboration can really make a difference on a team. Support’s can challenge their own ideas, realize that there are multiple avenues that can achieve the same goals, emphasize, and recognize that people can grow and change, and our approaches should too. We should never settle on something just because this is the way it’s “always been done”.

Fun Facts about me:

I read a lot and I am currently reading books on leadership. Most recently, I read the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It has great information on how to prioritize the things that are important. As well, the book Burnout has information on the stress cycle and how to combat it. I find this especially important in this field of work, where our nervous systems can be triggered frequently. Outside of educational books, I enjoy a variety of genres including classics, literature, biographies, and some spiritually related books.

I have a pen pal from Toronto.

I have a collection of books in my home that reaches almost 300!

Sexuality and Disability Conference 2022

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Creative Options Regina, Saskatoon Sexual Health, and Inclusion Saskatchewan are pleased to announce an upcoming conference supporting sexual health and wellness for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their networks.

Date: October 7, 2022

Time: 9-4pm

Location: University of Regina College Ave. Campus

 

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! (Click to Register)

Space is limited, so register early to secure your spot.

This is an exciting opportunity for support workers, caregivers, family members, community-based organizations, researchers, students, health care professionals, self-advocates, or anyone interested in learning more about sexuality and disability.

 

Proudly supported by the Community Initiatives Fund and the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute!

Meet Our COR Family: Dhwani Purohit

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Hi, I am Dhwani! I am a home team leader and have been with COR for over a year now! I have a very interesting story behind how I found out about COR! One day, Michael Lavis came to the retail store where I was working to buy an appliance; we began talking about what I was studying and what I wanted to do in my career. I told him that I wanted to do something in the healthcare field which was when Michael gave me the website to COR and I ended up applying there! I didn’t even know he was the CEO!

There are several moments that I am proud of at COR because of the people and the individuals I support. When I hear stories about COR, I feel really lucky to be a part of it. When I found out that I was going to be promoted to a team leader, I felt really proud to achieve something in a field that I have wanted to be in. Some advice that I have for prospective candidates is—to be kind, building relationships is the main key within the COR community. It really helps reflect your ability to support who we serve and the team too.

Fun facts:

My favorite quote is, “Every day may not be good but there’s something good in every day.” -Alice Morse Earle

I am not an animal lover, but I am a vegetarian! Haha!

My favorite activity in my spare time is spending time with my friends and family. And I love sleeping and watching Netflix. However, when it’s summer in Regina, I love exploring new places.

Gentle Teaching has provided me with a framework to build meaningful connections

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Becoming educated in the Gentle Teaching Philosophy has provided me with a framework to build meaningful connections with the individuals I support. Since learning of my tools that the Gentle Teaching Philosophy has awakened me to, I have grown to have a support style that is built upon patience, a healthy dose of humour, and a strong belief in the power that positive human connections can hold in someone’s life. I have developed into a support that seeks understanding beyond the surface of each situation and searches for the opportunities to create further connection with those I support each time spent together.

Gentle Teaching has provided me with the framework to build meaningful connections

Gentle Teaching has given me the knowledge needed to be a positive presence in the lives of others. It has allowed me to create and maintain connections with those I support and helped me to guide my actions with understanding and kindness when faced with difficult situations. I believe the knowledge I have gained from COR in it’s entirety will allow me to continue to grow in my ability to connect with all people, and in turn influence positive change in the disability services sector as a whole.

Lexi
COR family member

 

Gentle Teaching Stories: “I’m empowered to new heights as a leader, support, and friend.”

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Instead of just being nice, I’m mindful of my 4 Gentle Teaching tools.

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My everyday interactions with the people around me are changed for the better because of this new mindset that I have from Gentle Teaching

When I first learned about COR and its culture of gentleness, I thought it was common sense to “be nice,” but after joining COR and taking the many relational workshops that are offered, I found that it is so much more than just “being nice.” Gentle Teaching has taught me to build meaningful relationships with those around me. To support them in their daily lives, learn about what they are working to achieve, offer them help, but also help them help themselves so that they have the tools they need in the future.

Instead of just being nice, I’m mindful of my 4 Gentle Teaching tools. Ensuring that my presence is strong, but welcoming and safe. Ensuring that my gaze is non judgmental, understanding and interested. Using my words to lift others up and ensuring that my tone and expression matches my message. Even though I carry these gentle teaching tools with me everywhere I go, they are not heavy. They do not weigh me down. I am proud to carry these tools to every environment and situation that I encounter. With my family, with my friends, with the individuals I support and with strangers that I meet. My everyday interactions with the people around me are changed for the better because of this new mindset that I have from Gentle Teaching. I am so excited to continue learning and growing from Gentle Teaching.

Hailey,
COR family member

 

Gentle Teaching has taught me to build meaningful relationships with those around me

Recognized as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers (2022)

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The pandemic and the rise of remote work are turning Saskatchewan’s historical challenges into benefits.

Saskatchewan companies have historically hired at a disadvantage to more populous provinces, but the past years saw so much uncertainty in the global employment market that Saskatchewan seems to be acquiring a more powerful appeal to workers. Global swings in traditional work cultures could benefit its workers as much as its big employers — a trend that can be seen by looking at some of the most popular and successful companies in the country.

Each year, the Canada’s Top 100 Employers competition releases its picks for the best employers in each region of the country, analyzing a wide range of factors to help applicants figure out which companies offer the best work environments. Now, 2022’s Saskatchewan ranking has arrived to highlight those companies that have continued to offer creative, competitive compensation and benefits packages even while dealing with a host of local and global difficulties.

The winners are chosen based on multiple criteria, including compensation and benefits, the work and social atmosphere, the work environment, training and upward mobility and community involvement — all of which were pushed forward by a healthy level of competition between public- and private-sector employers.

Continue reading to learn why COR was selected as one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers…

 

2022 Winners

Here are the 2022 winners of the Saskatchewan’s Top Employers competition. Click an employer name to read our editors’ full Reasons for Selection:

 

Source: https://www.canadastop100.com/sk/