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.

Postpartum Depression

The number one complication of childbirth is depression. That's the word from a recent publication from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The following text is taken from that publication and is represented here in the sincere hope that a woman finding herself having some of these sensations will find help as a result of the contents. 

 “I never thought I’d feel this way.”
 “I feel like the worst mother in the world.”

It’s normal to go through an adjustment period after childbirth – new mothers experience many different emotions. Women anticipate feelings of happiness with the birth of their babies. But many new mothers are surprised by other common feelings such as sadness, anger, fear or anxiety. 

Up to 75 per cent of new mothers experience the “baby blues”. The baby blues are part of the adjustment to childbirth and usually begin a few days after birth and often go away on their own by two weeks. 

During the baby blues women may feel weepy, overwhelmed, irritable, anxious, fatigued and have trouble sleeping. If these feelings don’t go away or they get worse you may be experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety. 

If you are having scary thoughts or fears about harming your baby or yourself, talk to someone immediately.  

How do I know if I have postpartum depression or anxiety? If you have been experiencing any of the following for two weeks or more, or if these things make it difficult for you to care for yourself or your baby, it is important to talk to a health care provider. Only a qualified healthcare provider can make a diagnosis. 
• strong feelings of sadness or emptiness 
• feeling hopeless or worthless 
• can’t stop crying 
• constant fatigue, even after resting 
• trouble falling asleep or want to sleep all the time 
• difficulty concentrating or making decisions 
• loss of interest in activities and relationships you usually enjoy 
• little or no interest or pleasure in your baby 
• changes in your appetite or weight 
• irritable or angry much of the time 
• feeling resentful towards your baby 
• feel very anxious, trapped, overwhelmed or out of control 
• constant worry about your baby’s health or safety 
• racing or repetitive thoughts that cause you anxiety 
• afraid to be alone with your baby

Postpartum depression is treatable.  Counselling, support and medication are helpful in treating  postpartum depression and anxiety. A health care provider can help you find the right supports and services for your situation. You can also learn daily strategies to cope with the feelings and symptoms you are experiencing.

Family and friends that are supporting a new mother might see these signs or feel that something isn’t quite right. Talk to the new mother about how she’s feeling. Increase the support she is getting: give her a break
from the baby, help out with chores and give her reassurance that she will feel better.  Encourage her to talk to a health care provider as soon as possible.

You are not alone. Many women suffer in silence because they fear being seen as a bad mother or worry that their baby will be taken away. It is important to remember that postpartum depression can affect any new
mother. It is not your fault. The sooner you get help, the sooner you’ll be feeling better.

For more information visit:
www.postpartum.org
www.postpartum.net

Where to get help:

• Talk to your Public Health Nurse
   (call 204-926-7000 to find your
   Public Health Nurse)
• Talk to your doctor, midwife or other
   healthcare provider (If you do not have a
   doctor call the Family Doctor Connection
   Program at 204-786-7111)
• For information about resources and
   supports call the Women’s Health Clinic
   Mothers Program at 947-2422 ext. 113 or
   visit womenshealthclinic.org
• If you are having thoughts of harming
   yourself or your baby, or are in crisis:
   Go to the WRHA Crisis Response Centre
   at 817 Bannatyne Avenue or call
   WRHA Mobile Crisis Service at
   204-940-1781(24 hours/7 days a week)
• Call the Klinic Community Health
   Centre Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days a week)
   at 204-786-8686
• Call the Manitoba Suicide Line
   (24 hours/7 days a week) at
   1-877-435-7170
• If you need help finding resources
   call Health Links-Info Santé at
   204-788-8200 or visit the Postpartum
   Depression Association of Manitoba
   website at www.ppdmanitoba.ca

Eden Foundation Spring Concert A Huge Success

Written by Chris Sumner on Tuesday, 01 April 2014

Article by Pembina Valley Online

It was a full house Saturday night. Pictures submitted by Earl Reimer

Absolutely impressive and inspiring is how Eden Health Care Services James Friesen describes last Saturday's fundraising concert for the organization. It was standing room only at Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church, with about $22,800 raised for the refurbishment of Enns Court located on Pembina Avenue in Winkler. The evening featured soloists Vic Engbrecht and Ray Giesbrecht, and the Winkler Community Male Choir.

"An evening like this, it's spiritual music, it's inspirational music, it's the community singing to itself and each other," said Eden Health Care Services CEO James Friesen. "That's the foundation that Eden is built on is this kind of community support. To see that in a church packed out like this is absolutely inspiring and humbling."

Friesen says renovations have begun at Enns Court, with a three year plan in place to complete the work. "Tonight, again, it inspires us to do better work and more work," noted Friesen. "We're off to a great start."