Sherbrooke Record e-Edition

CABMN welcomes social intervention students from France

THE SCOOP By Mable Hastings

On Tuesday, Oct. 5 the Missisquoi North Volunteer Centre (CABMN) in Potton welcomed coordinators from NISKA-A development consulting cooperative that offers training in citizen action and community development as well as a group

of students who are directors and coordinators of “Community Centres” in social intervention in France. This visit is organized annually by NISKA Coordinator, Isabelle Mercieca as part of the group’s studies in the field of community development and social work.

This year due to Covid restrictions and safety protocols the group was

divided upon arrival with a coordinator and half the students paying a visit to the CABMN Senior Centre located at 309 Principale in the Anglican Church hall where the group was hosted by CABMN SAPA Senior Services team members, Monique Gilbert-coordinator and Angelle Laplume. The other half and a coordinator met with the CABMN

Executive Director Mable Hastings and staff member, Krysten Vanier at the CABMN Main office. After an hour the two groups rotated.

This year the group was interested in the relationship between the CABMN and the CLSC since the Main Office of the CAB is in the same building. Discussions included the clarification of the role of the social workers of the CLSC/CIUSSSE-CHUS and the CAB staff team and how the two compliment one and other. The experiences during the Pandemic were also a topic of interest and how the CABMN transformed programs, provided services as they arose and remained open as an essential service were all discussed and reviewed with the group.

At the Senior Centre the group was interested in hearing about the many programs being offered for the senior population including: Viactive, the walking/exercise programs, PAIR program for balance, Jog Your Mind for memory and more… Again, the increased services needed during Covid were discussed including the calls to assure the safety of the senior population in the MRC Memphremagog west.

The group was given information about the youth programs as well as the respite program for the physically and mentally challenged and the other numerous services offered at the CABMN Main Office and Youth Centre located at 282 Principale in Mansonville.

Providing the group with a map of the MRC and indicating the size of the territory serviced by the CABMN (Potton, Bolton-est, Saint-etiennede-bolton, Eastman and Stukely) was a real eye opener. The group also received statistics in regards to population, senior population and more.

The group of adult students were interested, engaged, forthcoming and appreciative of the time taken by the CABMN to host and inform them. This gathering has been hosted by the CAB for a few years now and each year brings with it a sense of making new friends and sharing accomplishments as well as reflecting on the challenges faced in community work. In the end, everyone walks away with a lot to think about and this year was no exception. If you would like more information about the CABMN programs visit: www.cabmn.org

FRONT PAGE

en-ca

2021-10-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://sherbrookerecord.pressreader.com/article/281479279601981

Alberta Newspaper Group