Bubble Ball Madness
Bubble Ball Soccer is coming back to COR on May 12th! Come and join us at the UofR to give it a try! It’s bound to be an exciting evening!
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COR Supports
Giving Patrick Independence – A Video by The Saskatchewanderer
The Saskatchewanderer spent some time this spring hanging out around COR capturing some footage of Patrick and his friends! Here is what he had to say:
“No two people are the same. That is the philosophy behind Creative Options Regina (COR), an organization that provides personalized support services for people with disabilities. The staff at COR tailor supports for each individual to help them discover their talents and interests and to help them reach their personal goals. COR has helped Patrick find full time work, develop an active social life and live independently in his own home. I first had the pleasure of meeting Patrick during a sports night at the Core Ritchie Community Centre in Regina, and I immediately understood his nickname — Energizer Bunny.”
A special thanks to the Government of Saskatchewan (Ministry of the Economy) and Neil Fisher (The Saskatchewanderer) for making this video possible!
Click here to learn more about The Saskatchewanderer.
-Michael
Who am I to come into this person’s home with demands and unrealistic expectations?
I consistently strive to build and maintain a culture of gentleness among the individuals I support and spend time with. When I am in someone’s home I try to put myself in their shoes. Who am I to come into this person’s home with demands and unrealistic expectations? Trying to be mindful of what I say/how I say it and how I present myself to the person receiving support is always at the forefront of my thoughts. By using the four tools (presence, eyes, hands, and words) positively, I continually try to build on the relationships I share with the individuals I serve.
Ensuring that person feels safe where they are and who they’re with is an important first step. Afterwards is the point at which the person can begin to be stretched and grow. Remembering that the relationship I have with the person I’m supporting is one of interdependence, allows me to teach as well as learn. This is an attitude that I attempt to maintain both within COR with the individuals being supported as well as in my other social circles.
Jordan, COR Support
We all want the same things: to feel safe, to love, and to be loved.
I am so thankful for the training and knowledge I have received from COR. At the time I was hired I was simply looking for employment that was person centred in which I would be able to work closely with people. When I think about other agencies I could have worked for, I am truly happy I chose the path that I did. I understand that social work can be a very difficult job in which I may be required to follow strict policies which do not appear to better the individuals I am serving. At COR, I always feel that I am doing right by the individuals I work with and value the strong relationships I have been able to develop in such a short period of time. I owe this to the gentle teaching training I have received.
I believe we should be viewed as equal to those we support at COR; this is why I love the terminology of “support person” or even better a “friend”. I enter someone’s life and learn so much about them- their fears, their dreams, their hobbies, their family, their past and so on. I partly create my culture of gentleness by allowing them glimpses into my own life to be viewed as an equal. Having them over for lunch, allowing them to meet my family, and opening up about myself. I believe this allows people to feel more comfortable with you and that they will then feel safe opening up to you. Additionally, I always ensure I do not pass judgement. If someone opens up and tells me something about themselves or confesses something that has been bothering them, I ensure to be conscious of my facial expression, body language and tone when I respond. This allows for an open conversation in which they will come to me in the future and feel that they can talk and open up without judgement. COR has taught me about the power of my tools- my hands, my eyes, my tone… these can all have such a huge effect on your ability to make someone feel safe with you.
In my eyes, a culture of gentleness can be broken down to simply mean what do we all deem to be valuable and important in our lives?
We are all individuals and yet, at a basic level, we all want the same things. To feel safe, to love, and to be loved. I have had the privilege of feeling safe in my life and it requires empathy to understand even the tiniest glimpse of what some of the individual’s supported at COR have gone through and what can change in your life when you no longer have to fight for basic needs. I have witnessed firsthand how much it means to someone to be able to give- to show love. For those I support to be able to teach me about something, to make me lunch or buy me a coffee; this means that they view me as a friend and care about me just as I care about them. I am proud to be a member of COR and proud of the strong relationships and friendships I have developed.
Shandrea, COR Support
I believe it is extremely important to remember that we are all equal regardless of our ability level.
When I think about COR and the individuals I serve in relation to a culture of gentleness, I think it is extremely important to remember that we are all human beings and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Treating people like people, and not like patients or clients shows these individuals that they are loved, important and cared about. By doing this, it ensures each relationship I have with the individuals I serve to be authentic and meaningful, and in turn allows for this culture of gentleness to develop and flourish over time. I approach each individual support time with a positive and friendly attitude, because I know that this will let the individuals I serve know that I want to be there, and I am happy to be in their presence every time I am with them.
I also believe that in order to maintain a culture of gentleness I need to love the individuals I support unconditionally. It is often easy to get frustrated, angry or upset when unfavourable incidences arise, but as a support I consciously make an effort to show that my respect, love and loyalty will not alter regardless of the situation. As a support, I always encourage the individuals I serve to pursue their passions and become involved within their community to not only enhance their own lives, but also the lives around them. By doing this, it shows these individuals that they are both capable and important members of our team and community. Those within COR that I support learn that they have the ability to positively impact someone else’s day. The safety of the individuals as well as the team is very important to me, and I believe that if I am able to provide a gentle environment through my words and my actions, everyone is able to feel much more safe within their home and with everyone around them. When situations arise that may not be safe for myself or the individual, I make sure to stay calm and remember to respect everyone involved not only to act a positive role model, but also so that a safe and positive outcome occurs.
During my time with the individuals I serve, I make sure that they know how individually special they are, that they are loved and cared for by many and that I genuinely enjoy and cherish the time that we spend together. I do this not only with my words, but also with my consistent display of true unconditional love for each person that I support and support with. I believe this is critical in ensuring a gentle environment and relationship. Ultimately, I believe it is extremely important to remember that we are all equal regardless of our ability level. I truly believe that the only disability in life is a bad attitude! When we treat those we support, and support along side as equals, everyone is able to feel safe, supported and loved by one another and this is how true relationships are built.
Sawyer, COR Support
Festive Cheer! COR Christmas Dinner 2015
Holiday cheer was alive at the COR Christmas Dinner held at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Regina on December 18th. COR families, friends, employees and individuals served gathered for an evening of festivities. A scrumptious holiday feast, along with music by our favorite east coast band, Jakey’s Gin, and a rockin’ Photo Booth by the guys at Strategy Lab made the evening that much more spectacular! The smiles, joy and laughter shared by everyone made for such a memorable night! THANK YOU!
From the Board of Directors and Leadership Team at COR, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season!
Angie and Richie Lookin’ Amazing!
We’re not quite sure which one’s more naughty? HeHe!
Ben and Larissa rockin’ the Santa gear!
We have an Elf, a Reindeer and Ms. Claus…. Happy Holidays!
Andrew and the ladies!
Who has the biggest beard? Jeph or Patrick?
And a HoHoHo to you! 🙂
What a beautiful group of people!!
The dance floor was on fire!
Two handsome fellas!
Elise, Dave, Roger and Lill spreading some Christmas Cheer!
HoHoHo! Sean (Mr. Coca Cola) and Jonathon!
Happy Holidays from the gals on Bronwyn and Gillian’s Support Team!
Dylan and Andrew making some holiday magic!
A beautiful photo of John and his mom, Voula.
Brother and Sister, Jarrod and Caleigh.
Stylin!
Couples Pic! Looking Great Lexi, Michaela, Andrew and Jordan!
Jesse and the ladies!
Lexi and Jordan.
Angie and her AWESOME Support Team!
Ho!Ho!Ho!
What a stylish group!
Naughty or Nice? hehe
Some Christmas Fright!
Jessie and Jesse!
Spreading the holiday cheer!
Lisa and Diandra spreading the cheer!
Brooklyn and her family!
John and his family.
Who’s that peeking over Santa?
Brenda and Marc spreading the holiday love!
Holiday Door Prize by: Jason Robin’s Artwork
Holiday Carvers, the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Regina.
East Coast music by: Jakey’s Gin