The Weyburn branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) had to reduce its operating hours and programming during the summer months, only being able to continue with the vocational work crew and the meal program. Due to lack of staffing at the centre, all other programs, including writers group, swimming, knitting at the library, baking, pot lucks, art/crafts, general outings, sewing classes, life skills programming and day trips were put on hold for the summer. The CMHA Weyburn appreciates the community for its continued support.
Regular programming resumed at the beginning of September, but a few programs are currently unavailable. Some volunteers are helping with different groups, such as the writers, life skills and sewing groups. The branch is also hoping to implement an art program as well and would like to find a volunteer who could facilitate an art program. Anyone who might be interested should contact Tasha Collins at CMHA.
"We would like to thank our volunteers as these programs would not be available to the community without them," said Collins.
The vocational programming will continue as normal with the meal program and the work crew doing landfills, raking, lawn care and snow removal.
The CMHA Youth Program is now up and running and is seeking new members. The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and includes arts, crafts, movies, playing cards and board games, PS2, scavenger hunts and more. The program also runs on Saturdays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Youth will have to sign up to be involved in Saturday programming as our plans are to have Saturdays as a full programming day where there will be lunch or a snack made by the youth participants.
The CMHA will be helping next weekend with the Communithon as a member agency.
The Just in Time for Christmas Show and Sale will be held at the CMHA headquarters at 404 Ashford Street on December 1. There will be about 12 tables offering access to home based businesses, crafts, along with baking, gift wrapping and cash calendars. There will also be raffle prizes available, as well as a hot lunch - enjoy home cooked Chili, bun and a drink for only $5.00!
CMHA has recently received a very generous donation from a family within the community. The family paid a certain amount every week this year in order to provide the hamper as a raffle prize to the centre -a large Santa's Choice food hamper valued at $225, for the Christmas Raffle.
