It started in 2003 when a group of Calgary business owners met to discuss the concept of providing 'face to face' employee care in their companies. Today Corporate Chaplains is broadening its reach with its latest addition being right here in Yorkton.
Formally providing services as the Chaplain for the Sunrise Health Region, Jim Pedwell has branched into a new direction and he's excited about the future.
"It's a new thing for Saskatchewan," says Pedwell who is currently Corporate Chaplains of Canada's only Saskatchewan representative.
The company is based out of BC but is beginning to reach out across Canada and the plan is to offer services to all who are in need.
"This is a unique alternative to employee assistance programs," details Pedwell. "We actually work more proactively than reactively. We connect with businesses and we offer care to their employees."
With services available 24 hours a day, Pedwell says Corporate Chaplains is more accessible than many other options and it's open to both groups and individuals.
Sessions offered include divorce recovery, bereavement and grief counselling and marriage enrichment. Help is also available for addictions, stress debriefing, crisis intervention and suicide intervention. If you have a problem - large or small - Pedwell says he is here to help.
"Everybody knows the problems associated with absenteeism but there's also such thing as presenteeism - the person who comes to work stressed out about other things and can't focus.
"So basically we offer services to the employer on behalf of the employee... It's not about religion... It's mostly about life coaching..."
But with that said, Pedwell adds, as an ordained minister he can also officiate weddings or funerals and he offers pre-marital coaching.
He believes what he can offer in the way of help is more personal, more accessible and cost effective.
"Typical employee services involve a 1-800 number that you call to arrange a meeting with a counsellor... it's more expensive because you're dealing one on one. What we try to do is more preventative by offering sessions... And what I like about it, is it's starting right here in Yorkton... not Regina, not Saskatoon, but Yorkton."
Whether it's a preventative session for a group, or counselling with an individual, Pedwell has the background to make a difference.
He moved to Yorkton from Ontario to adapt a bit of a quieter lifestyle.
"My background is with grief and trauma. I was the crisis guy at the Toronto General Hospital. I worked in the emergency departments of Toronto General, Toronto West and Princess Margaret Hospitals with a pager in one hand and taxi chits in the other I travelled steady from one to the other.
A busy center, Pedwell was there for people who survived, or may not have survived accidents, for family members and for anyone in need.
"I came here for a more balanced way of living... and there is a big need here.
"From what I hear, Mental Health has a huge waiting list."
It's Pedwell's plan to grow the Corporate Chaplain service in Saskatchewan, recruiting more chaplains, and reaching out to more businesses and residents.
A faith-based charity effort, Corporate Chaplains relies on donations to grow. In addition to accepting donations, Pedwell says the local branch is hosting a special fund raising event next month where residents can both support the effort and learn more. Corporate Chaplains has announced its first annual Yorkton Gala Fund raising event which will take place November 18 beginning at 7 p.m. at Melrose Place. The evening will include door prizes, desserts, a silent auction and the chance to win a trip for two to Orlando, Florida. To learn more or to get tickets, call Pedwell at 641-4321.
"It's a public awareness, as well as a fund raising event," says Pedwell, adding, he hopes local residents and business owners will come out to see what Corporate Chaplains is all about.
Learn more about Corporate Chaplains of Canada by visiting: www.chaplains.ca or by calling Pedwell.
