by Peggy Skelton, Chairperson –
East Shore Better at Home Advisory Committee
Better at Home on the East Shore has had a year of growth and change. Our numbers are showing that the trend for transportation services and friendly visits continues to rise. This speaks to the excellence of the services provided, and the quality of our volunteers with whom we could not do without.
The biggest news, however, is that through the hard work of the East Shore Better at Home Advisory Committee, and the continued support from the East Shore Kootenay Lake Community Health Society, Garry Jackman RDCK, Garry Sly, South Kootenay Lake Community Services Society (SKLCSS) “Community Connections”, East Shore Hospice and numerous others who wrote letters of support, and of course Rebecca Fuzzen, we will now be receiving ongoing funding for our East Shore Better at Home Program! A heartfelt thank-you to all!
Starting July 1st, 2019, the charitable Valley Community Services Society in Creston will become the administrator for the yearly $10,000 in funds for our East Shore Program.
This transition means that Valley Community Services will have the hands on management role. They will retain, manage, and report on the funds.
Also, as of July 1st, 2019, Rebecca Fuzzen will become an employee of Valley Community Services. This will allow her more support and education as well as a better connection with the provincial Better at Home Program. It is our hope that Valley Community Services recognizes the hard working employee they have added to their team.
There needs to be kudos and great appreciation given to Community Connections (SKLCSS), who managed the budget since the program began in April of 2017, and applied for grants on the program’s behalf.
We are pleased to see Community Connection (SKLCSS) supporting other community programs such as Helping Hands Day.
The East Shore Better at Home Advisory Committee will continue to provide support and suggestions to help the program grow and meet the needs of present and future seniors on the East Shore.
I’d like to say my personal thanks to all our Advisory members it wouldn’t have happened without you! And to our volunteers who are worth more than gold…you are amazing and nothing would happen without you.