A Good Place to Live

 

The question frequently arises asking what Eden does in the community.  The initial thought usually is that Eden provides critical care for those dealing with issues of mental health.  The answer is absolutely correct but it is incomplete.  It may be helpful to mention again that Eden Health Care Services is active across a significant portion of southern Manitoba, providing counselling services, job training and also has more than 90 residential units.

In Steinbach, those residences are managed by personnel from the Eden East office.  Penfeld Court, built in 2006 is an award winning apartment complex of 24 units.  Twelve of the suites in Penfeld Court are rent supplemented and designated for those with a mental illness and living on Employment and Income Assistance. The remaining twelve suites are for families and individuals who are living on a fixed income and are in need of affordable housing.

Wilson Courts is the other apartment complex in Steinbach that Eden manages and it too has 24 units with the same purpose as Penfeld Court.  Here’s what the residents of Wilson Courts have to say about the place where they live.

“We appreciate the opportunity to live in Wilson Courts.  The majority of us are on disability or social assistance.  Without Eden East it would almost impossible to find a place to live.  We find the landlords very helpful and understanding.  They are always there to listen to our problems.  Through Eden East we have had the opportunity to meet new friends.”

“The common room is a wonderful place to puzzle, play darts or just to talk to one another.  We also have dart tournaments, make supper and have a wonderful time visiting together.  We also appreciate Lucy coming to have coffee with us every two weeks.”

“In summertime we have a garden out back where we can all plant some vegetables.  It’s almost like having your own place.”

“Thank you Eden East for this wonderful place to live.  We also thank the people who clean and do the maintenance.”   (Permission granted to use quotes.)

Wilson Courts is not only home for people, it is a place of meeting and a place of friendship.  It has been said that good mental health depends on three things; a decent place to live, a place to work and find fulfillment and a friend.  One could compare these three needs to a stool with three legs where all three are needed in order to function properly.  From the quote above, it would seem that two of the three legs of that stool are in place through Wilson Courts.  The third leg of fulfillment through work is part of the mandate of Eden’s new Segue Career Options office located on Main Street in Steinbach.

Music Therapy Program – Overview of 2012

          It has been another successful year of music therapy service delivery.  Success, in this case, is measured in a number of different ways:  through the perceived quality of interactions with residents and patients; through the feedback of staff and family who witness the effects of music therapy first-hand; and even through the amount of interest and encouragement offered by the community in support of music therapy.

            One event that caused a bit of a ‘stir’ this year was a spot on Global National news that featured my work.  The PCH in Pilot Mound was proud to be chosen as the setting, and the residents and their families were pleasantly surprised that our work should draw this kind of attention.  (Aired July 18^th)

 

In particular, the opportunity – and privilege – to lead families in singing at the bedside of a loved one who is within 24 hrs of the end of life.  This occurred a half-dozen times this year, and reinforced my conviction that music therapy is probably the most important non-medical treatment in palliative care.

I am continually grateful for the supportive structure Eden provides for my position.  However success is measured, credit must be given to this organization both for the original vision in creating this position, and for the ongoing belief in the power of music therapy.

Submitted by

Joel Klassen

 Music Therapist Accredited

MCC Thrift Store Supports Local Organizations

MCC Thrift Store board chair Gord Kornelson, presented five charitable agencies with cheques.  Each of the agencies received a portion of funds available from the proceeds of sales at the Steinbach MCC Thrift Store.  Mr. Kornelson pointed out that not only does MCC support efforts overseas but also supports efforts locally.

Recipients of that generosity were South-east Helping Hands, Soup’s On, Anna’s House, Today House and our own Debra Stockwell on behalf of Segue Career Options and Eden Foundation.  Ms. Stockwell was most pleased not only to receive support from neighbours across the street from MCC but equally as important has been the fact that the Segue Career Options program was recognized by MCC Steinbach  as a service of significance to the community of Steinbach along with other local helping organizations.

On hand to receive cheques were Hank Klassen representing South-east Helping Hands, Joy Barkman representing Soup’s On, Vicki Olatundun representing Anna’s House, Simone Penner representing Today House and Debra Stockwell representing Segue Career Options.

Together We Sing, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Eden Foundation together with the Killarney Ministerial hosted a Christmas concert event in the Shamrock Centre in Killarney, Manitoba on Sunday evening December 9^th featuring the Winkler Community Men’s Choir.   This was a first ever event for both the Eden Foundation and the choir. 

For the choir, this was an opportunity to present their Christmas concert to an audience that has not seen or heard choral music in a long time.  For the Eden Foundation this was a fund-raising opportunity but more importantly, it was an opportunity to present a message of hope and healing through the lessons and carols as well as through a brief presentation as to the mission that the entire Eden organization holds in common; that being “People of faith actively engaged in sharing Christ’s hope and healing where mental health needs are found.”.   For the Killarney ministerial, this was another collaborative effort that they together participated in helping to organize. 

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is an old tradition that tells the Christmas story through a series of nine Scripture readings but instead of beginning those readings in Luke with the story of Christ’s birth, it begins in Genesis then flows through Isaiah, then into the Gospel readings.  Interspersed between the readings are the choral selections that embellish and support those readings.

Although choral singing has a history in the Killarney area, it hasn’t seen been a common practice for many years now, so this event was something of a treat for the approximately 275 people who came to listen.  The hope was expressed that this choir might return again.

After having presented the story of Eden Health Care Services, people approached representatives of Eden to share their stories of how mental health issues have affected them and how the Eden organization had a positive impact on their recovery.

The positive benefits to those who came to listen, to those who were part of the choir, to the Killarney faith community and to the Eden organization would seem to indicate that there may be a future opportunity to serve.