Note: This article is the latest in our Co-op Cares series. We thank the Southern Plains Co-op for their support and for the work they do in the communities they serve. And we applaud Estevan Diversified Services and other organizations doing great thrings in the community.
Estevan Diversified Services (EDS) has been a valued part of the community for generations, creating opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and support for families.
“We have a large impact on the community,” said EDS executive director Trisha Salmers. “We try to utilize everything the community has to offer, and really try to get out and take part in all of the activities.”
EDS, which has been offering programs since 1971, has a fleet of programs it offers to people with intellectual disabilities, ranging from vocational to residential services. Through their day program, located at the intersection of Sixth Street and 13th Avenue, they have an activity centre, a resource centre for continued learning and a kitchen program, which allows them to provide information on kitchen essentials.
And they have programs that are well-known in the community, such as a woodwork shop and paper recycling.
“Our goal within all of those programs is to offer a diverse variety of programs to meet people’s needs and to meet people where they’re at,” said Salmers.
Another high-profile aspect of EDS is the SARCAN recycling depot, which is well-used by the community.
EDS has approximately 50 participants at any given time. Not all will access all of the programs; some will access vocational only, but the majority use both vocational and residential services. The agency has five group homes and an independent living initiative.
Program co-ordinator Roberta DeRosier said one of their goals is community integration, and many, especially people in the older population, never had the opportunity to be integrated into the community.
“We try to take advantage of any community events that are going on. It’s their community just like it’s my community, therefore they should be a part of it,” said DeRosier.
Families have very positive feedback, as EDS tries to incorporate family members with a team approach, coming up with unique ideas and different ways to address concerns.
Salmers added they largely receive a positive response for the programs they offer. EDS continually tries to adapt their programs to come up with new ways to meet individuals’ needs.
DeRosier said she is always amazed when she approaches people in the community, and finds out they know the participants, because the participants will visit with the public when out in the community.
EDS has partnered with places like the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum and the Envision Counselling and Support Centre, which has benefit both sides, and many of the participants are huge Estevan Bruins fans.
“A lot of our guys do things like folding programs for the Bruins,” said DeRosier. “It’s definitely reciprocal. We try to do things for the community and the community does things for our guys.”
Participants have also enjoyed trips to the Orpheum Theatre to watch movies.
Each person that EDS works with is different, and they try to find ways to help them.
“Everybody’s unique with unique needs, and unique likes and dislikes,” said DeRosier.
DeRosier noted that EDS traces its roots to the Outram area, when the first day program was started. Participants were transported to the community west of Estevan. EDS then started working with the Estevan Kinsmen Club to establish the first Work-Kin shop, and it has grown from there.
EDS was incorporated in 1990.
