Reports - Regional: Kindersley

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2010/11 Submitted by Pam Welter, Branch Coordinator

Once again Kindersley Branch participated in a variety of safe community initiatives with our bike safety and farm safety exhibits.

Our branch works on initiatives within the whole Safe Communities model to promote mental health and wellness through a comprehensive range of community-based services. Farm safety is important to our rural agricultural communities in prevention of accidents and having safe, mentally healthy families. Taking part in these programs and with our farm safety for kids program helps the branch link to our communities in the Health Region. About 200 kids went through our display on grain safety (grain suffocation), PTO safety, and played our “Wheel of Misfortune,” which was a hit with all the kids from ages 6 to 15.

Kindersley Branch also provided information and referrals regarding mental health needs and support in advocacy and coping skills as necessary, and as requested. The requests for counseling services as well as food and housing have increased. We receive an average of three requests per week. We were active in establishing and facilitation of a community garden in Kindersley. We are also active in the community initiatives to address the food security issues with the Kindersley Food Coalition (KFC).

Kindersley Branch takes part in a variety of fundraising initiatives, including Cash Calendars and bake sales, as well as sending out letters requesting donations.

Our Branch Coordinator and President have taken a crisis management course and are part of the TERT Team in the Health Region.

CMHA Kindersley Branch receives numerous invitations throughout the Heartland Health Region to attend various events with our information and pamphlet display. This fall we were invited by the Town Council to attend an information and service session for the area. We also take part in the annual parade promoting our branch services and programs.

One of the community actions facilitated by CMHA Kindersley Branch is the Christmas Hamper Program. This is the longest running population health promotions program in the Health Region and unique to the area. Under this program, low income families can apply to receive a hamper for Christmas. Each family receives one month worth of groceries, a Christmas turkey, and gifts from Santa for the kids. This program is carried out in collaboration with numerous community groups. This year 122 families throughout the Heartland Health Region were supplied with a hamper. The program runs from September through to December from facilitation to completion just before Christmas.

Reach us at:

Kindersley Branch
Pam Welter, Branch Coordinator
Box 244
113 - 2nd Avenue East
Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0
Phone 306 463-8052, Fax 306 463-5506 or 834-2980
e-mail a.w@sasktel.net