True Clean Solutions and COR: Partnering to Keep the COR Family Safe

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My Newsroom /

How True Clean Solutions helps group homes through the COVID-19 Pandemic

Because you can never do too much for the people you care for most.

For Creative Options Regina (COR), that includes staff and residents they work with daily. In fact, they are considered family, which is why Michael Lavis, executive director at COR, took an extra step to ensure their health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With cleanliness and sanitization practices now top of mine, COR enlisted the services of True Clean Solutions to provide an additional layer of disinfection in each of the homes where caregivers and residents interact.

COR provides in-home support through gentle teaching for adults and youth with disabilities and mental health struggles.

“We felt it was important to enhance the safety, the feeling of safety and the cleaning protocols in each of our homes,” Lavis explained. “Disinfecting and sanitization are absolutely critical, particularly during the pandemic. It is our responsibility to do everything that we can to keep our employees and the people we care about safe.”

In doing so, in-home managers and residents gained a greater peace of mind.

True Clean Solutions uses a product that is approved by Health Canada. Its technicians have received thorough instruction on how to safely enter and exit a home or business and they relay that information to clients prior to product application.

“(True Clean Solutions) took the time to explain to us what this product is,” Lavis said. “They walked us through the entire process. They supported our employees by providing them with the necessary information and made sure everyone was comfortable with their work prior to commencing their work.”

Being transparent and forthcoming with information related to the disinfecting process and the products used solidified Lavis’ confidence in proceeding with the service.

“Their level of customer service in helping to ensure that people felt comfortable with the product they were going to be using in their homes was something that really stood out to me,” Lavis said.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to be more mindful of cleanliness and personal hygiene and how they affect our overall health.

Visit truecleansolutions.com to learn more about their service and to receive an online quote.

Full Article Available Here.

 

Service Hospitality Presents… Operating During COVID-19 – LIVE Panelist Discussion

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Join Service Hospitality on Wednesday, June 3rd 1:00 – 3 pm (CST) for a FREE LIVE Virtual Event on Operating during COVID-19, presented by Service Hospitality!

“We have heard your concerns and struggles about operating during COVID-19. Service Hospitality is bringing together a panelist of industry leaders to share how they have operated their organizations throughout the pandemic. If you are struggling to navigate the uncertainty of returning to work and what comes with operating an organization and employees during COVID-19 you are going to want to tune in!

Our panelists are here to share with you their stories of how they have operated during this time and how they will continue to operate after COVID-19. They will share insights, tools and resources with you on how you can continue to move forward during these uncertain times.” – Service Hospitality

Line up of special guest speakers includes:

 

Liz Horvath, B.A. Sc., CRSP
Manager, Workplace Mental Health
Opening Minds, Mental Health Commission of Canada

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English

Liz joined the Opening Minds Team of the Mental Health Commission of Canada in August 2019, where she leads the development and delivery of the Workplace Mental Health Program. For nearly 25 years, Liz has been guiding organizations throughout Canada to achieve better business outcomes through the implementation of occupational health and safety management systems.

 

Jim Bence
President & CEO
Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association

www.skhha.com

Jim has a strong passion for safety and brings expert advice to the table, specifically when it comes to the hotel and service industry. He has played a critical role in the establishment and growth of the Hotel Best Practice Group as well as the designation of a Youth Safety Education day in the province. He will discuss more on the hotel industry and the impact it has felt during this time.

 

Kevin Danchuk
Director of Health & Safety
Athabasca Catering Ltd. Partnership

www.athabascacatering.com/

Kevin brings a wealth of experience to setting strategy, driving execution and creating best practices for safety, health, and the environment and quality services. He is truly dedicated to providing a safe workplace for all employees, wherever the location and whatever the job. Kevin will be discussing the challenges of operating during the pandemic as they are considered an essential service and directly support the mining industries up North.

 

Phyllis O’Connor
Executive Director
Canadian Mental Health Association – SK Division

sk.cmha.ca/

Phyllis is the Executive Director at the Canadian Mental Health Association; she has been with CMHA for over 20 years. Phyllis is an advocate for mental health and works towards reducing the stigma that is associated with mental illness and mental health. She will be discussing how COVID-19 has impacted our mental health and shedding light on the emotions and uncertainty that comes with it while providing tools and resources to navigate it.

 

Michael Lavis
Executive Director
Creative Options Regina

creativeoptionsregina.ca/

Michael is an accomplished, passionate leader who puts safety and the care of his employees first. He has extensive experience when it comes to organizational management, capacity building and training. Michael is passionately committed to strengthening the disability services sector in Saskatchewan and to forge out new beginnings for the province’s most vulnerable citizens. Michael will be discussing how to work and feel safe while providing essential care.

 

Mark Von Schellwitz
Vice President, Western Canada
Restaurants Canada

https://www.restaurantscanada.org/

Mark is a leading expert in the restaurant industry and brings over 20 years of experience forward. He is passionate about the industry he works in and strives to better it through conversation and collaboration. Mark has worked closely with many organizations to help improve the industry and doesn’t believe it stops there. Mark will be discussing safety around take-out and delivery options with restaurants during this time.

 

“As we look towards life after the worst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has passed, business recovery will be paramount. Service Hospitality has put together a Return to Work Plan Guide for Service and Hospitality Industry employers to assist them and their employees in returning to work safely. The guide has been developed to give employers a series of best practices and other necessary measures that will help to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus.” – Service Hospitality

Visit Service Hospitality’s website for more information. 

This is Landon Gordon. This is his WHY!

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What’s Your Why?

COR has over 220 employees, all with different stories. This blog series will highlight some of the amazing people that work at COR and what fuels their passion and purpose.

This is Landon Gordon. Landon is a support and has worked at COR for 9 years. This is his WHY!

 

What brought you to COR?

We shared similar philosophies on how to support people with intellectual disabilities.

Why do you stay?

Strong leadership, an inspiring culture and great people.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Helping others help themselves in a way that I would want to be helped.

What’s been the most impactful or meaningful experience you’ve had?

Seeing the power of relationships and learning that anything is possible when a person has a nurturing support system.

What do you wish others knew about supporting at COR?

Gentle Teaching and personalized support plans are the best way to support someone.

 

 

This is Michelle Scherle. This is her WHY!

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What’s Your Why?

COR has over 220 employees, all with different stories. This blog series will highlight some of the amazing people that work at COR and what fuels their passion and purpose.

This is Michelle Scherle. Michelle is a Home Supports Coordinator and has worked at COR for 3 years. This is her WHY!


What brought you to COR?
Mostly by luck! I’ve been supporting people for years and I knew of COR for quite some time. I had co-workers that left where I was working to go to COR and all of them encouraged me to come here as I wasn’t loving where I was working, but I loved what I was doing. After a hard day at my previous job, my co-worker told me to go to COR’s website. I applied right away and here we are!

Why do you stay?
There are so many reasons why I’m here for life. COR is unlike anywhere I’ve supported before, I felt like I found my forever home as soon as I started here. One of the things that I love most is that I feel like I’m being invested in. I’m constantly being invited to learning opportunities, and new trainings so I can further my knowledge and expand my skill set.

What’s the best thing about your job?
The kindness and love is overwhelming! When you hear someone say, “my COR family” it really is the truth. We care about one another so much and want to see one another succeed. While here, I’ve been lucky enough to build some of the most meaningful relationships in my life.

What’s been the most impactful or meaningful experience you’ve had?
It’s hard to pick just one, so I’ll pick my first meaningful experience at COR! I supported someone who was going through a difficult time. After several weeks and a lot of long days, she came up to me with tears in her eyes and said, “thank you for helping me that night”. I knew something I did made a difference for someone I cared about. She’ll still bring up that when we see one another now and as much of an impact it may have made on her, it made an even bigger one on me.

What do you wish others knew about supporting at COR?
I wish people knew how fun it is to be a part of the COR family! We have so much going on and something for everyone to enjoy. There are tons of social events and there’s always something going on in the studio. It’s a great place to build relationships and rarely does it feel like work!

 

CTV Morning Show: Supporting Our Community Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Today, our COR family was thrilled to be featured on CTV Morning Live sharing how we are supporting our community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the video segment below!

https://regina.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1953313

This is Michael Clark. This is his WHY!

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What’s Your Why?

COR has over 220 employees, all with different stories. This blog series will highlight some of the amazing people that work at COR and what fuels their passion and purpose.

This is Michael Clark. Michael is a support and has worked at COR for 3 years. This is his WHY!


What brought you to COR?

I originally was referred by Abigail Frasz. I have always had an interest in helping people and have kept in contact with people from my high school in Manitoba that experience a disability.

Why do you stay?

The people I support and the people I work with. The flexible schedule is also great!

What’s the best thing about your job?

The relationships I have with the individuals I support.

What’s been the most impactful or meaningful experience you’ve had?

Some of the trips I have gone on (Calgary & Toronto with Peter and Saskatoon with Patrick). Also getting to know the Danakas family has been a great pleasure.

What do you wish others knew about supporting at COR?

How rewarding it is. It’s rewarding in the way I’ve been able to build relationships with the people we serve. It’s rewarding to see how you can have such an impact on someone’s life and how much you can help be a positive influence as well. It really brings value to what we do.

This is Brooks Ross. This is her WHY!

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What’s Your Why?

COR has over 220 employees, all with different stories. This blog series will highlight some of the amazing people that work at COR and what fuels their passion and purpose.

This is Brooks Ross. Brooks is a support and has worked at COR since December 2018. This is her WHY!

What brought you to COR?

I had just moved home from living in Ohio for 3 months and during that time was let go from my long time job. I was honestly lost and didn’t know what to do or what I would be able to do with only half a university degree at 23. I then saw a posting on Facebook for COR and messaged my friend Sawyer who was an employee at the time. I asked him what exactly COR was and what he did with the organization. After hearing back from him I applied and was hired almost right away and I’m SO happy it worked out that way because it really is an amazing place to work.

Why do you stay?

I stay because I’ve never felt more accepted and supported in anything I’ve ever done. The people who work at COR alongside me are not just my fellow supports they are some of my closest friends. The community that Michael, Jim and everyone else has created is something I’ve never been able to experience before. Also, the love and kindness shown to everyone across the entire organization is something rare in today’s world. Day in and day out I see it and, I experience it. It’s something really special.

Whats the best thing about your job?

For me, the best thing about my job is that every single day I have the ability to directly make an impact or difference in the lives of those I support and those I support alongside of. I also believe that the people I work with and the individuals I support have made me a much better person in so many ways.

Whats been the most impactful or meaningful experience you’ve had?

The most impactful experience I’ve had actually just happened over the weekend. As COVID-19 is changing everything we know about our daily lives, it’s also changing the way we, as essential workers, do things. I have gone from supporting 4 amazing ladies to just 2 now. I haven’t seen one of the girls I support in over a month and usually we’re together every week. She’s like my little sister and hanging out with her is the best part of my week. On easter Sunday, as I was supporting, the girl I haven’t seen in a month and her mom stopped by the house to put a gift in the mailbox. She rang the doorbell and then stepped back for distancing purposes, and told me she made me a friendship bracelet and a note. As I looked at her from 6ft away I just wanted to hug her and was so overcome with emotion and love for this young girl. It was such an emotional moment and for me, this bracelet is a symbol of how much love she has for me and how much I mean to her. I realized in that moment that I truly make an impact in the lives of the people I support and that the things I do, although they may seem small, they really do mean a lot.

What do you wish others knew about supporting at COR?

I wish that others knew how amazing COR is and that it’s not just a job. You meet the most amazing people, not only the individuals who call COR their forever home but the office crew, the support teams we serve on and the other supports from the different teams. I wish others knew how to live by what gentle teaching is because I am so happy I am able to live that way now and don’t know how I didn’t before. COR to me is what community and inclusion is all about. It’s not about rules or guidelines it’s about making sure everyone is able to achieve the things in life they want and to live with nothing but love and support.

 

This philosophy has such a unique meaning and purpose in everyone’s life!

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gentle teaching has taught me-trent

Gentle Teaching has genuinely transformed the person I am today, but most importantly, the person I am continuously working to be. Gentle Teaching has not only showed me a fundamentally different way of approaching life here at COR, but it has allowed me to approach my everyday life differently. Through my training, through the conversations, and through my supportive role here at COR, I have been exposed to the importance of empathy. Gentle Teaching has indisputably opened my eyes to the ability to understand why people react in the ways they do, why people feel the way they do, and furthermore, gives me the skills towards painting a picture of their reality to embody who they indeed are. This philosophy has such a unique meaning and purpose in everyone’s life, and I believe that is the pure beauty in it. For me, I have grasped raising Gentle Teaching as a way of living, not only for myself, but so that I can positively make my mark on each person I encounter. Gentle Teaching has embedded in me the importance to take on every day with the hopes of lifting others up through collaboratively and patiently working together. Applying Gentle Teaching to my everyday life has been a transformation I could have never imagined when I began here at COR. I have learned to value each person for who they are genuinely, but more importantly, to live a life of empowering each other. I have always been a team-oriented person. With the addition of this philosophy, they want for the empowerment of everyone around me, they strive to build everyone’s confidence with their own identity, and their meaning is amplified.

Trent,

COR Family Memberthis philosophy has meaning in it

 

Smiling, caring and listening is all a part of creating this gentle culture

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Throughout my years of experience with COR (which started in October of 2015) there has been several challenging situations!

This culture of being genuine and gentle is maintained by being patient

However, this did not discourage me! Genuine care is the key to my consistent ability to support those in need.  Being genuine and gentle is maintained by being patient, forgiving and optimistic! Not getting caught up with the little things and assuring to leave at the end of the day on a positive note. COR allowed me and others to make a difference on a daily basis, and that is the long term goal. Making a difference every day allows me to come the following day demonstrating positivity and genuine care. “Be kind to one another”- Ellen DeGeneres. Ellen has been a television host that I follow and watch religiously; she reminds us to be gentle, kind and mild-mannered to each other. Every home deserves this attitude, and the individuals I support really need a gentle environment. This is a culture that will affect the world in a positive way. Smiling, caring and listening is all a part of creating this gentle culture within the team of individuals I serve.

Jason,

COR Family Member

Smiling, caring and listening is all a part of creating this gentle culture within the team of individuals I serve

‘I love the freedom to move and the feeling of the outdoors!’

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Employment means something different to every person. Some folks enjoy the social aspects of a job where the people make the work tolerable. Some prefer a role where they can put their head down and get things done for 8 hours a day and then go home to resume life the way they truly want. For Trent employment is all of these things. For Trent, employment adds variety.

When asked about what the perfect job for Trent would be he replied, ‘For me it would be the perfect mix of things. I don’t just like one job over another. I like to have time at home to chill out, and I also like to meet new people at work. If I had to choose I would say I’d be a mechanic in the afternoons and then relax by the water and skateboard all night!’ As Trent is a self-proclaimed ‘night owl’ evenings are made for leisure and relaxation.When I am skating I can let go, be myself, and let my worries drift away

Over the course of our conversation it became quite evident that Trent’s heart belongs to skateboarding in the summertime. When asked about his passion Trent stated, ‘I love the freedom to move and the feeling of the outdoors! When I am skating I can let go, be myself, and let my worries drift away!’ Trent also talked at length about his desire to keep up his skills and dedicate as much time as possible to practicing which is truly admirable when working toward any goal!

Finally, when asked about what he spends all his extra cash on, Trent lit up and said, ‘with my money I want to save enough to treat my family to things like Pats games or trips. I also want to make some upgrades to my skateboard like to the wheels and axels. New bearings would be sweet too!’

In getting to know Trent it has been my greatest pleasure to learn about his value to any work place. He loves to belong to team and is a dedicated partner to be able to count on. He values his work life balance and is never afraid to share in conversation-especially if it’s about the great outdoors or thrashing during the summer. He is adaptable, polite, and an all-around unique guy!

Thank you Trent for sharing your passions with me!

 

Ben Morris,

COR Family Member