Home Sharing providers connect
Home Sharing Providers gathered once again at the Quaaout Resort and Conference Centre near Chase for the region’s Second Annual Home Sharing Conference. The theme of this year’s conference was “Living in Community – Next Steps” and Mitch Loreth, who facilitated last year’s inaugural event, was invited back as facilitator and keynote speaker.
Drawing on 40 years experience, Mitch talked about safeguards. He drew comparisons to our own personal circles of friends, family, and people that give us valued social roles and challenged home sharing providers to realize the unique opportunity they have to be catalysts for inclusion. Participants had rave reviews about Mitch and described him as “informative, “thought provoking”, and “inspirational”.
Workshops were held on a variety of subjects including Public Trustee and Guardianship, Persons with Disability Benefits, Health Services for Community Living, medication administration, CLBC’s website, and crisis management strategies. An informal planning session was held prior to the recognition dinner for home sharing providers.
Grant Huffman, Quality Service Manager performed a song he wrote highlighting the power of “ordinary heroes”, an acknowledgement to the home sharing providers. Keith Bonnah of Thompson Community Services in Kamloops presented a fantastic DVD he created with a compilation of pictures from the region.
A huge thanks to cultural coordinator Barbara Callihoe for her welcoming song and to Ernie Philips, a world renowned dancer, who surprised folks with an impromptu performance. There were also rave reviews about the best bannock in the region. Community Living BC and Caregiver Association of Salmon Arm were co-sponsors of this event.
