The power of “Hi”
Joel Bedard puts up posters to share the message of Start with Hi with his community.
The exchange of simple greetings is the starting point of all relationships. A simple “Hi” has the power to make us feel wanted, welcome and safe. The community of Grand Forks is making a positive difference in each other’s lives one “Hi” at a time.
Grand Forks Sunshine Valley Community Services (SVCS) is excited about CLBC’s “Start with Hi” initiative. The agency is using it as a platform to build awareness about inclusion in Grand Forks and foster more friendships and connections into people’s lives. SVCS helps build community by offering services for people with developmental disabilities which create opportunities for friendships and other community connections, paid employment based on the person’s skills, talents and interests, and overall leading a good life.
“Start with Hi is a message for everyone in our community,” says Manager of SVCS, Jason Zwaal. “It is easy for all us to understand and the message does not single out people with developmental disabilities.” For the last few years, SVCS has been working on establishing personal support networks in the Grand Forks area for the individuals they serve. “Our focus is to make connections between people who share common interests and hobbies,” says Zwaal.
Jeff and Peter are one of those connections. Both men live in Grand Forks and they first met and started to get to know each other in the shallow end of the pool over the span of a month or so. What started with “Hi” and the shaking of hands, evolved into small chats and joking around together. As time went on and they got to know each other better, Jeff invited Peter to visit his donkey farm. At the farm, they chatted endlessly and exchanged laughter while feeding the donkeys. Now, a year later, the two men continue to see each other at the pool and look forward to the opportunity to say “Hi” and share a few laughs.
The staff at SVCS was keen to develop an action plan to increase awareness about Start with Hi in Grand Forks. Strategies include a local Facebook group, monthly articles in the Grand Forks Gazette, presentations at community meetings and City Council, local stories on the Start with Hi website, and a booth at the fall fair.
For more information on the work SVCS is undertaking, please contact Jason Zwaal at svcs.manager@telus.net.
To learn more about Start with Hi, please visit www.StartwithHi.ca and www.facebook.com/StartwithHi.
