volume 8, issue 1 january 2017 phoenix rising · narrative therapy techniques – tuesday, march...
TRANSCRIPT
Board of Directors
Maureen Elworthy, President
Joanne Hurtig,
Vice President
Gil Owen, Treasurer
Barb Jones, Secretary
Susie Girling, Director
Stephanie Ball, Director
10 Years of Awesome 1
CLS Seasonal Celebration 2
Santa Starbucks 2
Lunch & Learns 3
Award Winning Staff 3
Diversity Employers 4
TOEM Fund & Smile Card 4
Health & Safety Corner 5
Workplace Health & Wellness
7
Staff Corner 8
Did You Know? 3, 4
Inside this issue:
Phoenix Rising
P h o e n i x H u m a n S e r v i c e s A s s o c i a t i o n
Volume 8, Issue 1
January 2017
On September 30, 2016,
former and current staff
members, clients, families,
past and present Board of
Directors members, and
community partners gathered
to enjoy a very special evening
at the Da Vinci Centre celebrat-
ing the 10th anniversary of
Phoenix Human Services
Association. The event kicked
off with our Annual General
Meeting, during which we
heard from our Executive
Director, George Klukowski,
and our Board President, Susie
Girling.
Following the Phoenix AGM, the
party started with a wonderful BBQ buffet (Fat Daddy’s BBQ) that was enjoyed by all. Heather
(FD program) provided an exquisite anniversary cake and cupcakes. The room was beautifully
decorated by staff and clients. As well, we had an awesome photo booth that was a huge hit
with all of the guests. Some fun and fabulous memories were captured for folks to take home
and enjoy. One of Victoria’s local music groups (Ange Hehr band) provided perfect dance music
for the evening. They really got everyone up and moving! Staff, clients, and family members
were busting their best moves on the dance floor, thoroughly enjoying the party. Copious door
prizes were announced and distributed throughout the night. Our thanks to Julie for being our
emcee. It was a remarkable evening!
Celebrating 10 Years of Phoenix ~ by Joanne Hurtig (Board Vice President)
Page 2
Seasonal Celebration for CLS Adults ~ Lois Gabitous, Coordinator for CLS Employment Program
Thank you to our Phoenix colleagues for your support!
The 3rd annual CLS Adults and Employment Program Seasonal Celebration at the Six
Mile Pub was a great success! Our team would like to say a sincere “thank you” to all
Phoenix staff for your support in the past year to make this event possible. Thanks to
your generosity by donating items to our garage sale and purchasing Purdy’s
chocolates, more than 40 adults with disabilities enjoyed a fabulous feast on
November 23. The event was social and festive. Over 40 program participants, staff,
and board members (thanks Gil and Joanne for joining us) met with new friends and old
friends…. and everybody walked away with a special gift and a full stomach!
Santa Starbucks ~ Melissa (FD program)
Our neighbourhood Starbucks
(Quadra & McKenzie) went above
and beyond this holiday season in
making a memorable and special
Christmas for one of our families
we serve.
The staff decided to sponsor a
family and contacted Phoenix
though one of our staff members.
The Starbucks team organized it
all, reaching out to ask the specific
needs of each member of the
family (mom, dad, and four kids).
From there, they made thoughtful
and creative posters in the store,
letting the community know about
the needs of this family, and set up
a cash donation box. The
community support was over-
whelming! Hundreds of dollars in
cash donations, gift cards from
London Drugs and Thrifty Foods,
art supplies, make-up, clothing,
books for the children, and even
donations of an oil change and safety inspection for the family
vehicle. With the cash donations, the Starbucks staff went out
on their own time to Old Navy, Costco, and others, and bought
new shoes, coats, and sleepwear
for all the children. As well, they
were able to make sure each child
received 3 gifts from Santa. They
wrapped all the gifts and delivered
them to the door of this family on
December 23.
With Christmas gifts now supplied,
the family decided to put up their
Christmas tree and make ginger-
bread houses. Until that day, they
had not been in the holiday spirit,
as the parents didn't know if
Santa would be coming to their
home.
A big heartfelt “Thank You” from
all the staff at Phoenix to the
generous, thoughtful, and special
Starbucks Santas and the
community that supported them.
Because of everyone’s care and
consideration, this family had a
memorable, special, and delightful
Christmas that would not have happened otherwise. Again,
THANK YOU!!!
Page 3
Lunch & Learns ~ Lois
Award Winning Staff Members
For the past 2 years, 16 Lunch and Learn sessions have inspired, informed, and
educated us. Past sessions included presentations from TAPS, Disability Resource
Centre, Music Therapy, Gender and Sexuality, Power and Privilege, BC Schizophrenia
Society, Sign Language, Ready to Rent, Ergonomics, Community Resources, and many
more.
Attendance has been great and averages 8 to 9 staff members at each session. Most
importantly, we have gotten to know each other. It has been incredible to see long-term
staff members from different programs shake hands for the first time and share stories.
The purpose of lunch and learns is threefold:
Have fun and meet your co-workers
Diversify the way we deliver training
Value the rich experience and skills we have within our agency
Upcoming Sessions
CARF: What? Why? How? - Wednesday, February 15; 12-1
Narrative Therapy Techniques – Tuesday, March 14; 12-1
In September 2016, two Phoenix staff members and two others were honoured by Camosun College after graduating from
programs in June 2016.
Haley (CLS Adults) was awarded the Dr. Alastair and Janet Baird Award in CFCS (Community, Family, and Child Studies). The
award honours one student in Health and Human Services programs who “strives to develop knowledge and frontline skills with
the intention of engaging in direct care for individuals with mental health issues. To win this award, Haley demonstrated
exceptional qualities of empathy, respect, facilitative leadership, and a strong commitment to promoting advocacy for
Individuals and families who are living with mental illness.” (text credit: Camosun College)
Sarah was awarded the Beconnected Support Services award in Community Support and Education for demonstrating
“dedication and leadership in supporting people with significant challenges and who, through his or her actions, promotes the
respect for independence and individuality of each individual supported.” (text credit: Camosun College)
Keenan Andrew (former practicum student with our Community Inclusion program) received the Phoenix Human Services award.
Riley Vaskic received the James Guthrie Memorial award. Both awards are from Phoenix Human Services Association.
We want Lunch and Learn sessions to continue! Coordinator Opportunity Available - approximately 1 hour per month; flexible according to your own schedule. See Lois if you are willing and able to see these sessions continue!
Did you know? Nucleus tracking and reminders
Within your Nucleus client record, you can set reminders for yourself to complete documentation!
Within each client file:
Go to the tab marked “SPECIAL”
Go to the tab marked “Add Tracking Item”
Go to the drop down menu, choose the specific item (such as ISP review), and set the date it will be due.
Later, you will receive notification it is due through the Com-box system. Yeah!
All knowledge is connected to all other knowledge. The fun is in making the connections. ~ Arthur Aufderheide
Page 4
Our Employment Program is thriving and the list of employers
for our clients continues to grow. Having a staff that consists of
all types of diversity, including developmental
differences, enhances the atmosphere of any workplace.
To that end, our Employment Services program celebrates the
following “Diversity Champion” employers:
Home Depot - Langford
Category 1 Cleaners
Canaus Drywall
Nirvana Pet Resort
CrossFit Stasis
Walmart
Superstore
Searles Auto Repair
English Inn
Lewis Sheet Metal
Salvation Army - Cedar Hill
Salvation Army - View Royal
Thrifty Foods - Broadmead
The Papery
The Local General Store Oscar and Libby's
Mercy Ships Canada
Lifestyle Select - Sidney
The Keg
Employers Supporting
Workplace Diversity ~ Lois
Did You Know?
We’re multi-lingual!
Diversity of languages with some of our staff
members: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,
Romanian, Polish, Flemish, Gaelic, Ukrainian, and
American Sign language.
Thrifty Foods Smile Card Program & our
TOEM Fund ~ Lois
Many of our Phoenix Program participants have benefitted from the TOEM (The Other Eleven
Months) fund over the past 10 years. As you know, the program has been used to support
children, youth, adults, and families from all of our programs. Recent examples of funded
items include: strollers, diapers, snacks for youth in detox, hockey equipment, cribs, summer
camp, ID replacement, snacks during supervised access, emergency food, and
counselling. The fund also supports the bus ticket program.
In order to continue to have this fund available to us, we need to replenish the TOEM funds.
We need your help to do this! Please see Joan or your Coordinator for a Thrifty Foods Smile
Card in order to safeguard the TOEM fund for all of our clients.
Did you know?
The Thrifty Foods Smile Card Fundraising program provides 5% back on the dollars spent at
Thrifty Foods to non-profit organizations like Phoenix. Help us reach our target of $1,000 for
the TOEM fund this year! So….
Pick up your Smile Card
Load your card at any Thrifty Foods
Buy your groceries
5% goes directly back to Phoenix
*If you had a card, but lost it – please see Joan and she will happily replace it!
Shout Out!
A special shout out to Cheryl
(CYSN) for generously dropping
off her own ice melt to Joan
Crescent in our time of need!
These acts of kindness make
this world a better place!
We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. ~ Maya
Angelou
If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize
the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse
human gift will find a fitting place. ~ Margaret
Mead
Page 5
OSH Corner ~ Laurie Hill, Coordinator for Family Development Programs
FYI
The Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OSH) is comprised of 4 front line staff and 2 Program Coordinators. Our members
are Laurie (chair, Family Development Coordinator), Donna (Day Programs Coordinator), Heather (FD West Shore), Cheryl (CYSN),
Myrna (MHOT), and Kelly (FD Core Victoria). We meet on the third Tuesday morning of the month at either the McKenzie office or the
Joan Crescent building. All of the meeting minutes are posted in the lounge at the McKenzie office under the Health and Safety
Heading and at Joan Crescent on the bulletin board in the admin office. During our monthly meeting, we review any WCB claims,
Drills, and Health and Safety Concerns, as well as reviewing and updating any forms and documents. Currently, we are busy
getting ready for our CARF site visit this spring so we are reviewing any changes to Health and Safety standards, drills, H/S
handbooks, and a variety of other tasks.
New Drills
The health and safety team has been busy and we are in the process of implementing and updating the ‘Workplace Violence’ drill to
include ‘Lock Down’ (dangerous intruder in building) and ‘Lock Out Procedures’ (danger outside of the building/office), which are
reflective of current practices in the community at large. These will be implemented in early spring 2017. A reminder that drills are
run in team meetings every 2 months, so please make sure you are participating or if you miss your team meeting, that you review
any drills you missed. These are for your safety and well-being.
Thanks to all of you who participated in our “Shakeout BC Drill” last October 19 at 10:19 a.m. The response was great and we
received a certificate for participating in the Provincial Earthquake Drill.
Location of Evacuation Kits
Please make sure you are familiar with the location of the emergency evacuation kits and AED’s for the McKenzie, Joan Crescent,
and Wale Road offices (the Phoenix office at Wale Road does not have its own AED).
Scent Free Workplace
As our agency has committed to keeping a safe work environment and due to numerous staff members with serious scent related
allergies, Phoenix continues to require staff to uphold our ‘Scent Free’ workplace practice for all Phoenix sites.
Inclement Weather
Please remember to follow inclement weather policy and heed all traffic advisories on local news and radio stations (Chek TV, CFAX,
and Environment Canada). Stay Safe out there!!
Cold & Flu Home Remedy Tea
This recipe comes from one of our previous coordinators and OSH Committee member so for some of you long term staff, this may be
familiar but it is still a great recipe. It is a simple concoction made with ingredients most of you already have in your kitchen. Enjoy!
Ingredients
ginger, lemon juice, honey, water
pot or thermos
tea strainer
favourite mug or cup
Lemon is high in vitamin C, which is also full of phytochemicals. It is said these plant constituents help boost the immune system. So
don't wait until you are ill, start drinking it now. Ginger and honey are also said to help the immune system.
Method
fill your tea kettle and get it boiling
grate a one inch piece of fresh ginger root
use a thermos or simply keep it simmering in a pot on the stove, and put the ginger root in your container of choice
add about 4 tbsp. of lemon juice
add about 3 tbsp. of honey
when the water is boiled, pour it into the thermos (or the pot in which you have boiled the water and added the ingredients)
let steep for about 20 minutes
strain into a cup and drink
You can vary the suggested amounts to your personal tolerance and satisfaction. Get well!
Page 6
VISIT ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES FOR
ILLNESS
Green Light (Child DOES attend)
Muscle aches
Mild headache
Stomach-ache without other symptoms
Allergy symptoms
Asthma (controlled)
Sunburn
Lack of sleep
Reluctance to attend due to emotional factors
Yellow Light (Child MAY attend)
Chronic runny nose
Lingering cough
Mild headache
Muscle aches
Sore throat without fever
Red Light (Child DOES NOT attend)
Fever 100 degrees or higher in the morning
More than one episode of vomiting or diarrhoea
Untreated ear infection, symptoms of pink eye, impetigo, or
ringworm (unless area can be covered)
Chicken Pox; until all lesions are crusted and dry (usually 7-10
days)
Rash with fever
Untreated head lice
Sore throat with fever
Runny nose with thick green mucous
OSH Corner (continued from page 5)
Winter Health & Safety
Reminders
With the cold and flu season upon us, there are numerous
precautions everyone can take in order to stay healthy. Here
are a few reminders and tips to help keep you, your family, and
clients healthy this winter season.
Attendance policy for persons-served
Take a moment to remind your families, caregivers, and person-
served about the attendance policy for services. The “Red Light,
Yellow Light, Green Light “ Attendance Policy Guidelines are
posted on the Health and Safety Information Board at the
McKenzie office, as well as in the Health and Safety binders at
all work locations. Please refer to the Communicable Disease
Policy.
Effective and efficient handwashing
Thorough, efficient handwashing is the easiest way to help
prevent the spread of illness and disease. Most people don’t
wash their hands long enough for the cleaning process to be
effective. Here’s the breakdown: Remove jewelry, turn on the
water (be sure it is warm), wet your hands and apply soap, rub
your hands together for at least 20 seconds, rinse your hands
from the wrist to fingertips (keep fingertips pointed down to
prevent recontamination), dry your hands with a paper towel,
and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.
Use of hand sanitizer and wipes
There are sanitary wipes available in first aid kits and also
around the office. There is also a hand sanitizer pump at the
McKenzie office, right beside the elevator. Try to keep extra
wipes or a personal bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag for use
when out in the community.
Overall, try to remember to wash your hands after sneezing,
coughing, blowing your nose, touching your eyes, ears nose or
mouth, and after touching commonly used items. Always wash
before and after preparing food, and after using the washroom.
Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze into the crook of
your elbow to avoid the spread of germs.
Furthermore, be safe on the roads at this time of year. Utilize
winter tires for your vehicle if you have them and on wet and
snowy days, leave extra travel time for excessive and slower-
moving traffic. Don’t hesitate to remind families and caregivers
to keep walks ways and front entrances clear of snow to avoid
slipping and serious injury. Refer to the Inclement Weather
Policy and if you have any questions, please consult with your
Program Coordinator.
If you forget to say
“pika” before you
sneeze, you can always
say “bacca” afterwards.
If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live? ~ unknown
The part can never be well unless the
whole is well. ~ Plato
Page 7
Health & Wellness in the Workplace
~ Donna Washington, Coordinator for Community Inclusion Programs
What better time to get the ball rolling on our own Health and
Wellness Program than the New Year! On January 24, a group of
Phoenix staff members from various programs gathered together
to discuss the feedback from the survey, began creating a plan
specific to the needs of Phoenix employees, and brainstormed
some fun initiatives for 2017! I will also be attending a ‘Lunch
and Learn’ through Engaged HR in January, which I hope will
bring some tried and true practices to include in our plan. Expect
to hear a lot more about this initiative throughout the year!
If anyone feels like they missed the boat but would still like to
participate in some way, just get in touch with me by email.
In the meantime, I leave you with few tips to help you stay active
and motivated:
Schedule time to do something active
Choose things you enjoy doing
Pace yourself so you don’t get injured
If you are social, find a friend or group to meet with
Try mixing up the activities so you don’t reach a plateau or get
bored
Track and write down your progress going by the way you feel,
not just numbers on a scale
Create an amazing playlist for listening
Be flexible not punitive; it’s about maintaining a reasonable
and healthy lifestyle
Reward yourself frequently to keep motivation up
Take time to check out the Heart and Stroke Foundation
of Canada website, which has a great resource on getting
active, among many other tips and tools:
www.heartandstroke.ca/get-health
Employees who were hired in 2016
Melissa Family Development
Kimberley CYSN
Jody Lambert CYSN Coordinator
Yvonne CYSN
Haley Community Inclusion
Sarah Day Programs
Ben CLS Employment
Stephanie Saunders Adult Services Coordinator
Employees who left Phoenix in 2016
Nicole CYSN
Piers CYSN
Heather Family Development
Justin Day Programs
Michelle CLS Employment
Lynn Community Inclusion (retired after 15 years
with us)
Goodbye! Welcome!
The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil
Page 8
Practical Magic ~ Diane (FD program)
When I was a young girl, starting around the age of
10, I did the laundry for my family. It was a
Saturday chore that I actually looked forward to.
My mom thought she was being punitive; however,
I had learned at a very early age to find reward and
pleasure in the mundane.
In those days, we used a wringer washer. This chore
required an early rise, sorting the family laundry
into piles of similar colour, filling the washer with
hot water, and starting with the whites. I would
load the washer, watch as it swished and cleaned the clothes (the hum was mesmerizing),
and then put each piece of clothing through the wringer into a cement laundry tub filled with
cold rinse water. Then followed back through the wringer and into a clothes basket to carry
up the stairs and hang on the line. There is a science to hanging clothes, which I mastered, as
all the neighbours would see my work. The goal was to get all the laundry spaced equally
apart to allow the wind to blow through, with the number of clothes pins in the bucket.
There is no other smell like line dried clean laundry that has just the right amount of fresh air
in each piece.
Later in life, as a mother of many children, I was reminded of the art of pinning clothes to
the line. I was at my in-laws’ cottage and there was laundry. It was no longer my Saturday
chore, nor required the arduous use of a wringer washer; however, I was delighted when my
mother-in-law asked me to hang the clothes on the line.
She watched with curiosity and a critical eye. I knew of that which she was thinking. She
proceeded to guide me and correct my “use of the clothes pins.”
My husband, at the time, was annoyed that she would stand over me and instruct me. I
understood and was pleased, as she was approaching her seventieth birthday, in her interest
of the “art” and its continuance. I explained to him that to me, she was sharing her expertise
and it was important for her to feel her guidance was important and still required.
The relevance of this anecdote is to ask each and every one of you to consider the “magic” of
including the older and elderly in your own lives. They need to continue to feel needed, they
are a wealth of support and guidance, and are likely delighted to share their “expertise.”
Staff Corner
Phoenix Human Services
Association
250-383-4821
1095 McKenzie Avenue
(4th Floor)
Victoria, BC
V8P 2L5
Fax: 250-386-7142
www.phoenixhumanservices.org
The opinions expressed by
those interviewed or those
contributing are not
necessarily those of
Phoenix Human Services
Association or its
management.
Salmon Fishing and the FBI
David (CLS Adults) has signed a book publishing deal with Heritage
House Publishers in Victoria. The book is about his adventures as a
salmon fishing guide at Stuart Island in BC and the summer the FBI and SEC (US Security
Exchange Commission) came to question the guides about information they might have
about insider trading. The book will be out spring 2018; title and launch date to be
determined. Sounds intriguing!!
What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~ Yiddish proverb