Envision Counselling and Support Services received renewed funding for the coming fiscal year, with the announcement of $1.01 million in funds coming from the province.
A small announcement was held at Envision’s Estevan office on April 17, with Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles attending on behalf of Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer and Justice Minister Gordon Wyant.
The funding will include $316,000 dedicated to provide family outreach services, along with programming that assists children and youth who have witnessed interpersonal violence and abuse.
Another $95,000 is for Envision to provide a diversion program. The objective of this program is to provide in-home support and education to parents whose children are at risk of coming into care, an example of government working closely with community partners to keep children safe.
Social Services is providing more than $695,000 in annual contract funding to Envision for the Diversion program, as well as Family Support and Intensive Direct Services. These include services like the Family Intervention Program, which provides flexible, family-focused supports and programming through individual, couple, family and group counselling. It also provides intervention, supports, and skills to stabilize a family crisis.
Christa Daku, Envision’s executive director, said without these funds, the organization wouldn’t be able to do what it does.
Lynda Rideout, Envision’s assistant executive director added, “The funding from these ministries is critical in supporting the work we do for our counselling, support and educational services across southeast Saskatchewan.”
“It’s organizations like Envision who handle the heavy lifting for government,” said Eagles. “That’s why it’s important that we take the time to highlight and celebrate the work of our many community-based organizations across Saskatchewan at events like this.”
Envision has more than 30 employees working out of its three offices in Estevan, Weyburn and Carlyle, and serves a population of more than 56,000 people.
Relieving the stress
Anyone looking to improve their emotional well-being and relieve stress is encouraged to participate in a number of upcoming mini-workshops.
Starting April 27, Envision Counselling and Support Centre will be offering evening workshops that will focus on relationships and people’s emotional well-being.
Envision’s executive director Christa Daku said these workshops have been highly recommended and highly attended over the years.
“Sometimes it’s easier for couples to attend a workshop session or attend a series of workshops instead of counselling,” Daku said. “We just want to encourage people and couples to come out and learn some skills that can help with the stressors involved in their lives.”
One of those stressors can be financial, noted Daku, which is likely common among many people right now, who are dealing with the after-effects of the slumping oil prices.
In a press release, Envision quoted an anonymous participant who said the workshops, “ helped me see where I was making mistakes by blaming others and how to improve my relationships with others.”
The workshops will run for seven weeks on Monday nights beginning April 27 from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
These workshops are open to both men and women over the age of 18 and are free of charge, but seating is limited. The scheduled dates for the workshops are as follows:
April 27 – Relationship Smarts: Building Healthy Connections
May 4 – Speak Up: Communicating Effectively
May 11 – Feelings 101: Minding Your Emotions
Tuesday, May 19 – Keep you Cool: Moving Beyond Anger
May 25 – Stressed Out: Untwist Your Thinking
June 1 – Just Chill: Beating Stress with Self-Care
June 8 - Jeopardy Fun: Workshop Wrap-up
There is no expectation for participants to attend all workshops, however, Daku encourages participants to attend all of them, since “each one builds off the other,” she said.
