The Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop has provided a place where people with disabilities can develop for careers for the last 40 years, and will be marking its anniversary with a barbecue on Friday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop has provided a place where people with disabilities can develop for careers for the last 40 years, and will be marking its anniversary with a barbecue on Friday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"Everyone here has their own unique abilities. They make me smile and laugh everyday. I prefer to look at it as abilities rather than disabilities," said Andria Brady, executive director of the Wor-Kin Shop. "I've learned a lot about the compassion that the community, and that everyone can make a contribution no matter what their abilities."
Brady and the other employees at the Wor-Kin Shop developed personalized plans for each client in the program, that are tailored to bring out someone's abilities and help them achieve their personal goals.
"There's lots of one-on-one time with each individual. We get to know them, what they like, what they dislike, and what their goals are. We then try to help them achieve these goals as best we can," said Brady.
Some people who currently use the services of the Wor-Kin Shop have with the program for almost its entire existence. One of these people is Bobby King, who has been a client for over 30 years. One of his favourite things at the Wor-Kin Shop are the weekly music classes.
"I like to play guitar," said King. "I like Elvis Presley. I have some of his tapes at home."
Guitar isn't the only instrument that King has learned to play at the Wor-Kin Shop. He has also learned how to play a few other instruments through the classes. "Yeah I play the piano. I also play sticks and stuff like that," said King. He also helps take care of planters that the Wor-Kin Shop has set up around town. He helps by pulling weeds and watering the flowers.
Another client, Laurie Gilchrist has been there for 20 years, and makes the coffee every morning. "I like making coffee," said Gilchrist. "It's pretty good, I like my coffee."
She hopes that she can serve coffee in a public restaurant. Gilchrist attends the classes at the Wor-Kin Shop, and one of these classes taught her how to be safe around strangers.
One of her favourite activities that happens at the Wor-Kin Shop is watching movies.
Blaine Kimball has been a client of the Wor-Kin Shop for over 20 years, and he has enjoyed his time there. "It's awesome. The people that work here make it awesome."
Kimball helps out at the Wor-Kin Shop by working at SARCAN. There are quite a few jobs that he does at the recycling depot that he enjoys. "I like riding in the truck to pick up cardboard. I like using the baler on cardboard and paper." For fun activities, Kimball works in the wood shop where he pounds nails into boards. He recently went to Estevan to watch a play with some other people from the Wor-Kin Shop.
A driving factor that has kept the Wor-Kin Shop going is the community support. "Some of the board members have been here for a long time, and it's a volunteer board so it's a strong commitment that they've made," said Brady. "We also work with groups in town like the schools and the Family Place. It's been really humbling."
Members of the Wor-Kin Shop consider the community as a second family for the clients, and their involvement serves an important role in their lives. With continued support, the Wor-Kin Shop can be around for another 40 years, and raise the necessary funds for a new facility for their day program.
