Visit the Villages: Tractor Trek Event

Photo by T. Klassen Photography

July 12^th, 2014

The Visit the Villages TRACTOR TREK is a fundraising event organized by the Eden Foundation in Winkler, MB. each summer.  This is our 7^th annual trek and we are anticipating  about 40  tractors to be registered.  The tractors need to be 40 years old or older and be able to maintain a speed of 8 – 10 mph. The goal of the event is to raise $1,000 per tractor entry. This year’s route will remain east of Highway 32, going through the villages of Schoenwiese, Gnadenthal, Blumengart, Friedensruh and Reinfeld.

The day begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Reinland Community Centre, south of Winkler, with registration and a hearty breakfast buffet.  Family members and the general public are encouraged to join the trekkers for breakfast.  (All breakfast donations are in support of the Reinland Community Centre). Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Judges will be present, judging the tractors throughout the day in the  different categories as chosen by the judging committee.  Lunch will be hosted by the Blumengart Hutterite Colony.  The trek will finish at Lode King Industries, 135 Canada St., Winkler.  After a tour of these facilities, a silent auction, supper in the Lode King Dining area, and prizes will conclude this day of enjoying memories of the past and the creation of new ones.

Each registered trekker is asked to collect pledges in support of Eden’s mental health recovery programs.  The funds raised with this event help to fund Eden’s mental health recovery programs that do not receive government funding.  It is through these programs that individuals experiencing mental health challenges receive hope and healing. The funds that are collected as a result of the trekkers will be used to refurbish the two apartment buildings which make up Enns Courts in Winkler.  The Enns Courts apartments are an extension of Eden Health Care’s ‘Housing and Supports’ program.  For more information click HERE.

Photo by T. Klassen Photography

Come and be a part of the journey and the continuing story of Tractor Trek.  You can download a registration form and more information below.

(Registration form download.)

This Week Dedicated To Mental Health Awareness

Written by Pam Fedack/Chris Sumner on Wednesday, 07 May 2014 for  PembinaValleyOnline

James Friesen

The executive director of Eden Mental Health Services in Winkler feels the stigma of mental illnesses is lessening.  However, James Friesen says the challenge still exists for those dealing with a mental illness to step out of the shadows to seek help.

Nation wide, this is Mental Health Awareness Week.

"When I look from the perspective of the Eden organization we're always looking at better ways and more accessible ways for people to be able to access those services.  It takes a lot of courage first of all for a person to acknowledge they need help, and at the point they do need help, are we engaging, are we welcoming, are we open, and do we understand how the system works?  We still have a ways to go to make navigation through the healthcare system generally work better," said Friesen.

Friesen says like anything if you try and sweep something under the rug or try and put it off, it generally doesn't get better, and with mental health it's definitely like that.  "If you're noticing a change in someone or even in yourself, look for someone to reach out to, whether it's a family member, a friend, your pastor or family doctor, find someone you trust.  Start to talk about what you're seeing either in yourself or your loved one."

He adds there all kinds of steps you can take as the first part in getting yourself on track.

Friesen says weeks like this are important to highlight certain parts of what it means to be human, and mental health is a huge part of it.  He says Mental Health Awareness Week is a time to celebrate our mental health and think specifically about that part of our being.

This article originally appeared on PembinaValleyOnline.com

Listen to James Friesen

Segue Helping Young People Find Work

Written by Shannon Dueck on Saturday, 03 May 2014 for SteinbachOnline.com

Ted Falk (far left) meets with Segue staff Friday including Debra Stockwell (far right)

Taken from SteinbachOnline.com

The Program Director for Segue Career Options says they've had amazing success in their three years in Steinbach.

Debra Stockwell says Segue through Eden Health Care Services is a supportive employment agency throughout southern Manitoba. They work in partnership with Service Canada, offering the Segue Training and Employment Project (STEP).

Stockwell says they don't recruit, instead individuals aged 15 to 30 come to them, looking to take part in their four week life skills program. Following the four weeks are eight weeks of work experience.

"We try to get them into a field that they're already interested in," explains Stockwell. "The idea is for them to be able to progress and grow." She notes their current contract allows for five sets of ten individuals each, over a fifteen month period.

According to Stockwell, the program is funded mostly through Service Canada. Provencher Member of Parliament Ted Falk was in Steinbach Friday announcing $268,299 from the Skills Link Program. The Steinbach Segue Training and Employment Project services the South Eastman region which includes, among others, the communities of Steinbach, Beausejour, Lac du Bonnet, Niverville, Pinawa, Ste. Anne and St. Pierre.

"This funding is essential to assist youth in our communities to make a successful transition into employment or return to school," explains Stockwell.

The goal of the program is that after twelve weeks, students will either be working fulltime or will have made the transition to go back to school. Stockwell says their target is that seventy per cent of participants would achieve this, noting they come close to meeting this mark.

"They're not always exactly successful right after work experience, they may need another month or so to find that right fit for them," she says. "But we do continue working with them, we never shut the door." She adds it's not uncommon to have participants return two years later seeking guidance.

Stockwell says there are definitely a lot of job opportunities for youth in Steinbach these days, but she says young people have to be realistic.

"As long as the youth understand that you're not going to walk into that seventy thousand dollar a year job," she says. "It's just not out there when you don't have the experience or the education."

Stockwell says Steinbach is blessed with a business community willing to open its doors.

"Even if they (employer) don't have a job, but they want to give somebody an opportunity to gain that experience," she says. "I'm always amazed at how many jobs an employer will create that wasn't there, so that person can stay employed with them."

This article originally appeared on SteinbachOnline.com.