Another remarkable field trip! Thank you, Bill Quinney,
On this warm, sunny November Monday, about 27 of us met at the Kerby Centre, soon to be called the Unison at Kerby Centre, for a field trip. Les Morgan called the meeting to order at 12 noon, performed the acknowledgement of the land ceremony, invited us all to sing “O Canada” and handed over to Bill Quinney to introduce the program speakers. There was a cordial group that included Raju’s Hajela’ s partner Sue, and Joe Klassen’s partner Katherine. Lunch was comprised of a delicious squash soup, two types of salads, grilled salmon, mango cake and coffee at the Kerby centre.
Today’s program: The Unison at Kerby Centre and Rotary Kerby House by Lori Wilson and Katharina Zacharias respectively.
Photos courtesy of David Impey
LORI WILSON highlighted Kerby Centre (rebranded as Unison at Kerby Centre) with the following:
- Established in 1973 when the old Mount Royal College moved out to its current location on Richard Road SW Calgary
- Serves 25,000 seniors annually
- Has developed a food security program since Covid, offering meals to seniors in need with three food markets a week.
- Free annual tax clinic allowing those who do not know how to, to file and benefit from tax refunds, ancillary services such as social benefits, grants, government programs, etc.
- Adult day programs available. Membership $25.00 per year
- Education and Rec programs that enrich seniors both in-house and remotely. These include yoga, tai chi, music, singing, knitting, art, painting, etc. etc.
- Wellness action programs with peer-to-peer support
- Community kitchen that enables seniors not just to cook their own meals but meals for others.
- They have a community shop that offers gently used items for sale at reasonable prices.
- Staff of about 40 and about 800 volunteers
KATHARINA ZACHARIAS highlighted Kerby House.
Background: Many years ago, when Bill Q was president and Chuck Mazur was District Governor, RI president Devlin came to town and laid the foundation stone to the Rotary Kerby centre for abused seniors.
- A shelter for abused seniors. The first of its type in North America
- There are four floors, 14 independent bedrooms, shared bathrooms and some common area space including a nice kitchen and a social area that houses clients for up to 21 days free, and with a fee thereafter, not to exceed $400.00 per month on a need basis.
- Land for this building which is located on 8th Avenue SW with a plus-15 from Kerby Centre, was donated by Olive Black.
- This was the brainchild of Patricia Allan, a social worker that felt there was a dire need for such a facility
- This was the first of its kind in North America. And most of the Calgary Rotary Clubs funded the development of this facility
- Staffed by two case workers, 2 managers and 10-12 part time staff members
- This is a 50 plus facility
- They screen and assess but are not a policing agency, merely a support service
- They are unable to address patients with serious health and addiction issues. Other agencies handle these cases.
- Average stay is three months after which they assist these candidates with safety issues if they need to go back to their family (and abusers), and with alternative housing and other services such as home care, employment, and community engagement, if the candidates plan to start a new life outside their current situations
Katharina elaborated on the types of cases that they receive, and how they handle the needs of these vulnerable seniors. There were many questions. These presentations were followed by a tour of both facilities.
Martin Bunting thanked the speakers on behalf of the club.
Announcements:
Bocce evening organized by Pat Fitzsimmons. Some space still available $54.00 includes an evening of fun, five lanes of bocci and a three-course dinner.
This is Foundation month. This is a time when Rotarians make their annual contributions to the Foundation of your choice. Think of The Rotary Foundation and the Calgary Rotary Clubs foundation in your charitable giving, in your will and in your future planning. Next week we have a program dedicated to Rotary Foundations, a few civic award presentations, some Paul Harris award presentations, and the induction of a new member. Let’s all try and attend next meeting (and more meetings) For charitable donations, contact Garfield Ganong and any one of the foundation committee members.
Engagement with The Unison at Kerby Centre? If you wish to be involved with volunteering or any part of the Kerby centre, please contact Bill Quinney and he will set up programs where our club can engage with the centre. This may be an enjoyable and engaging partnership so think about it.
The meeting was adjourned following the tour at about 1:30 pm
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