Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Community Outreach Services (COS) continued to offer support when the COVID-19 pandemic hit via Zoom appointments but in-person services have started again.
Following Alberta Health Services guidelines, the COS team has been delivering community programming, resources and confidential non-judgmental support on site since mid-July, based on appointments made.
"Everyone is struggling with the pandemic," said Beth LeBlanc, COS manager. "[It] has created new and unique challenges for everyone. With the change of seasons, school starting, there's new anxieties. Our shoulder season will be opening up.
"The job of our team is to connect people with programs, resources and supports they need to thrive in our community. It's always free and confidential. If someone needs support, all they have to do is contact us. If we don't have the supports they need, we'll help people find what they do need."
Workers had offices pre-COVID, but with physical distancing requirements, there are now three spaces designated for the in-person services, LeBlanc said.
"We also have an outdoor space in our backyard. We put in some astro turf and some plants years ago. It was play space for kids. Now it's a place to have one-on-one sessions."
COS staff help newcomers navigate complex government systems, and those applying for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or other government supports.
"The other thing is that for people who are experiencing anxiety and want to talk about life's challenges, there is someone there to talk with," LeBlanc said. "We're still there."
The KAOS program [Kids Adventures of the Summer] is in place for 10- to 12-year-olds - "too young to work, too old for child care", LeBlanc said. It has been running through the summer, and will switch to Kids Adventure of the School Year soon.
COS' Coffee Connections are held in the outdoor space- with a maximum of ten people allowed. "This program provides adults a place to gather and enjoy a cup of coffee (bring your own during COVID), as well as some casual conversation," LeBlanc said. "It runs from 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Coffee Connections is led by an outreach worker, facilitating casual conversations with participants."
Some of the youth programs are held out there too.
And a settlement worker provides support to newcomers, people who come from abroad, including working with families at school.
"There are unique challenges that they face," LeBlanc said.
Nicole Veerman, community specialist with Community and Family Services, said: "They may not speak English as their first language, so she'll work with parents and child.
"She meets with families to navigate unfamiliar systems."
LeBlanc added, "It might be with translation, learning guidelines about going back to school with the new COVID-19 guidelines, or how to prepare for a meeting with a teacher, etcetera.
"Our services are set up by life stage: prenatal to preschool, elementary school-aged children, youth and teens, adults, and newcomers.
"We try to connect people. People need to see each other, or be connected somehow to live healthy, balanced lifestyles.
"COS and Settlement Services will [help] make sure no one in the community is alone."
