WEYBURN – Inclusion Weyburn has “blossomed” since being established in 2018, and while COVID restrictions made things very difficult for their youth, the organization is hoping that things will now return to normal, Weyburn Rotary Club members heard at their luncheon meeting on Thursday.
Jackie Wilson of Inclusion Weyburn spoke about the challenges, services and programs they offer for those who are intellectually challenged in Weyburn and area.
She noted they became a chapter of Inclusion Saskatchewan in 2018, and are also under Inclusion Canada, with these umbrella groups providing resources and help for the local organization.
“A group of us got together in 2017 because we recognized the need for youth with intellectual disabilities, and since then it’s just blossomed,” said Wilson.
One example of a local response was that Tyler Hillstead of the Weyburn Soccer Association helped establish an All Abilities team, the first one in Saskatchewan, “because he learned about Inclusion Weyburn, and he ran with it.”
Other groups that help out children with intellectual disabilities include the Weyburn Skating Club, Silver Seals and Weyburn Water Polo, she added.
“In Weyburn, they learn about it and they’re just running with it, and we couldn’t be more fortunate,” said Wilson.
“Inclusion Saskatchewan is amazing. I’m learning all the time what they do for all people with intellectual disabilities. They’re in constant contact with Social Services, at provincial and federal levels to make sure their needs are met,” she added.
The restrictions of COVID helped give rise to an important program for Inclusion Weyburn, namely respite care, as she explained.
“In March 2020, the schools closed, and for all of our kids, that was a problem. They rely heavily on routine, they need that so much. When the schools closed, it was very difficult for families and individuals, so we began the respite program so families can phone for respite care, and Inclusion pays for their care,” said Wilson.
This program has been so successful, respite care is now offered in other area communities, such as Radville, Arcola, Redvers and Carlyle, she noted, with people in each of those communities able to offer the care.
The Inclusion Weyburn board also benefits from the expertise and dedication of educators, as the board has a staff person from every school in Weyburn.
“They are experts in that area of education. They’re very giving of their time and our staff learn a lot,” said Wilson.
In addition, Inclusion is helped out by high school students each summer as they help provide aide and care for children so they can take part in the Sunny Scholars program at the Family Place (for three- to five-year-olds), and the Fun in the Sun summer program at the Weyburn Leisure Centre for those aged six to 12.
“It stretches their thinking outside the box, and their understanding in working with these individuals. It gives you a whole new look at life,” said Wilson, adding that at this point they don’t have any partnerships for teens for a summer program.
Weyburn’s recreation department has been a big help to them as well, with buddy swims offered once a month at the Leisure Centre, along with “turf time” at the Credit Union Spark Centre, both offered to any age person.
The swim times are sponsored by Brothers Pizza, but so far there is no sponsor in place yet for the turf time at the Spark Centre.
“As with all our programs, we don’t charge the parents for the extra care. They do pay the same fees for camps that all the other families do, but they don’t pay for the extra staff. For a lot of them they’re financially stretched as it is, like for speech therapy,” Wilson explained.
She expressed the hope that they will soon be able to resume more social activities as well, such as dances and barbecues, with some of them held in conjunction with Weyburn Group Homes.
She noted part of the success and growth of Inclusion Weyburn is the feedback and assessments they ask for after each program or season is done, so they know what works or doesn’t work, or what areas they should work on.
