Happy Holidays From the board, staff and clients NSIGHTS of Knowles Centre I Volume 20 • Number 4 • Winter 2012/13 An inside look at the programs and services of Knowles Centre Inc. Creating a home in the community Marshall. The on-site staff does a great job working with the boys to address the biggest issues before the boys are ready to move to the community home. A household with six teenage boys could easily become hectic, but the daily routines established help keep things run- ning smoothly. Days begin by waking the boys for breakfast and school – not always easy as anyone with teens knows! Staff are on hand around the clock to help with homework, prepare and eat meals together, share in the housework, and have some fun and relaxation before starting over again the next day. And within these full days, staff find teachable moments to instill the daily living and social skills the boys will use for the rest of their lives. It is equally important that we show what it is to be part of a community, says Marshall. For example, kids take the city bus and play sports at local clubs, plus we have our van repaired at the local garage and shop at the local grocery store – the boys can see what it is to be a part of the community … and the community gets to know us too. Marshall admits that some of the neighbours were hesitant to welcome a group home onto the street originally. Many were con- From the outside, Knowles Cen- cerned that our boys would cause a lot trouble. Some even called police accus- tre’s community group home for boys ing our kids of breaking into cars early on, but we were able to show them our looks like almost every other house kids were at camp when this damage occurred. Over time, we earned the trust on the small, well-kept street in East and respect of our neighbours, says Marshall. Elmwood. But most people may be Now, our kids are viewed like other teens in the community. They are not surprised to learn that life inside is perfect, but we deal with things if they happen. For example, if a teen gets angry similar to the other families on the and swears loudly outside, he is expected to apologize to the neighbours as a street, as well. means of amends. Still, positive interactions are much more common, and the Knowles Centre opened the home boys are often ready to lend a hand shovel- for six boys in February 1995. Our ing snow or cutting grass, or just to ex- goal was to create a more home-like change a friendly wave. environment for the kids, even if they Most of the kids really value the stable were in care, says Marshall Gardner, home life we provide, says Marshall. They supervisor of the home since its open- are quick to pass on the expectations to ing. newcomers, and often remember their time The boys at the community group here long after they have moved on. home may stay a few months to a few years, but have usually spent some Photos: Marshall Gardner (above, right) time at Knowles Centre’s Henderson and youth care worker Colleen (above, left) Highway treatment unit first, explains help to ready the home for Christmas. 1 Staff profile Liz Carlson: Building a relationship and trust begins healing life and Liz recognizes she is part of a broader team that tries to address this. Liz is careful to point out that all the therapists at Knowles Centre bring their own unique strengths to their work with clients; and recreation, school, cultural, youth care staff all do incredible work, as well. But most of all, she says, the client’s own determi- nation ultimately makes the biggest difference. Liz explains that she is filled with joy every time she sees a youth, who came to Knowles Centre struggling on many levels, proudly move on ready to take on the future. I have such respect for the changes they have made, she says, it’s beautiful to see.
When Liz Carlson, M.S.W., clinical everyone, not only Aboriginal people, Wayne Benson retires after therapist in the Group Care Treatment says Liz. It dictates participation in a 11 years on Board Program at Knowles Centre is meet- system for people that may often leave Long-serving ing with a client, she may as easily be them feeling trapped, or made to feel Board member found in the recreation room shooting inferior for practicing their traditional Wayne Benson pool as in her office. ways of life. officially retired The conventional therapeutic prac- She is integrating her studies in from the Board of tice of talking face-to-face in a private her therapeutic approach as well as Directors in Sep- office can be intimidating for anyone, through her work with Troy Fontaine, tember 2012. Liz admits. Successfully working with the agency’s Biimautaziiwin Aborigi- Wayne joined a young person begins with establish- nal Cultural Coordinator. Currently, the Board in ing a good relationship and trust. This she and Troy are developing a training October 2001, and may mean sharing some of the activi- session to help staff members better twice served as President, first from ties the youth enjoys – like playing understand the effects of colonialism 2006 to 2008 and again in 2010/11. pool, walking to the store for a Slur- and intergenerational trauma. During his tenure, Wayne helped pee, or laughing over cards or a board Liz often accompanies Troy and cli- to lead Knowles Centre’s centennial game. ents to ceremonies at The Turtle Lodge celebrations as well as to establish Whatever the setting, Liz strongly in Sagkeeng, Manitoba. For example, the Treatment Foster Care and Sup- believes in honoring the wisdom of in June Liz chaperoned girls taking ported Advancement to Independent the youth to determine his or her own part in Makoose Ka Win, a rites of pas- Living (SAIL) programs which con- best path to wellness, a philosophy sage program in which female elders tributed to the agency’s phenomenal founded on her personal views as well and grandmothers share their wisdom growth in recent years. as academic studies. and teachings. Wayne will be missed for his In addition to her role at Knowles Talking about different ways of valuable contributions and insight, Centre, Liz is currently a Ph.D. healing and encouraging young people but will always be welcomed back candidate in social work and is study- to take part in Aboriginal ceremonies as a member of the Knowles Centre ing the effects of colonialism on our compliments the other approaches that family. society. One legacy of colonialism has Knowles Centre offers, she explains. been a paternalistic system that affects There are many variables in a youth’s 2 Each year, Knowles Centre is humbled to receive support from our many friends and supporters. Such generosity includes responses to our mail campaign and funding proposals, goods and services, passes for sports and cultural events, and unexpected gifts by those who have been moved to see the most vulnerable in our community regain Thankhope you! for the future. Every single gift is deeply appreciated and valued and has the power to touch the lives of clients in so many ways. On behalf of our Board and staff, and especially the young people receiving services from Knowles Centre, we extend our most sincere thanks to our donors from the past year: 3M Canada Inc. Drucie Hogle Tony Maiorino Lisa Abella Douglas Holland Red River Cooperative Ltd. Joyce Anderson Marilyn Hoskins Strini Reddy Arnaud Mennonite Church Marcus Hunzinger George and Tannis Richardson Asper Foundation John James Kelly Riley Donald Bailey Dirk and Elisabeth Jongsma Riverview Health Centre Leonard Bateman Manuel and Victoria Joven Dawna Robertson John (Nick) Beaton Colin Kay Heather Robertson Werner & Monika Beckmann Kiwanis Club of St. Boniface/St. Vital Rotary Club of Winnipeg East A.M. Ronald Belanger Kiwanis Club of Winnipeg Foundation Winnipeg West Rotary Club Belgian Veteran's Association - Local 107 Jennifer Krestanowich Royal Winnipeg Ballet Marjorie Blankstein Tiffany Krueger Elizabeth Ruhr Blue Angel Technical Services Paroisse du Precieux-Sang Anne Russell Jaime Bird and Walter Boonstra Kerry Larocque Karl Schwatz Ernest Bradshaw and Kenneth Bradshaw Deri Latimer Seven Oaks Lions Club Maureen Britton M. Lawrence Vi Sharma Cynthia Brown Bill Lazenby Edward Shinewald Michael Burdz Victoria Lehman Shippam & Associates Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Sofia Lisogorsky Neil and Pat Siemens William and Mary Cameron The Graham C. Lount Family Foundation Sigurdson McFadden & Associates Inc. Mary Campbell Glenna MacDonald The Thomas Sill Foundation Inc Canad Inns Club Regent Casino Hotel Mackenzie Charitable Giving Fund Diane Silverberg Carrara Tile and Marble Manitoba Arts Council Sirius Benefits Tina Case Manitoba Community Places Program Jean Smith Erma Chapman Manitoba Community Services Council Inc. Robert Smith Merven and Nancy Chuback Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Soeurs du Sauveur CI Investments Manitoba Public Insurance Joel and Marilou Solite Paul Clarke Robert and Clarita Manzano Kyle Spencer Harry Collins Maple Leaf Ivan Swanky Bob and Irene Cunningham Jackie Markstorm Tache Pharmacy Victor Danyliuk Masonic Foundation of Manitoba Inc. The Manitoba Museum Rae Davidson Sharon Matte Howard & Valerie Thibault Tammy DelaRosa Andrea McKenzie Greg Thompson Raul Dimaculangan Patricia McLean Herb & Lynda Thompson Ding Handyman Ltd. Michael Wintemute Chartered Accountant Inc. Trudi Tinant Neil & Gail Dunn Sheron Miller Robert Tonn and Susan Devine Craig Ebbers William Miller Arthur Tooley Conrado and Cleofe Eulalia Larry Gander and Denise Cyr-Gander Eleonora Travan Yumi Falk Mulder Construction and Materials Ltd. United Way of Winnipeg Family Florists Mario and Edith Nato Lynda and Donald Van Kooten Festival Du Voyageur Inc. Rea Nesbitt Dawn Vandal Fidelity Investments Canada Limited Grant Obirek Gerald and Irene Varnes FortWhyte Alive Kevin O'Conner Mark and Kristi Venton George Gamby Theda Olson Sandie Wagner Oliver Gardner Optimists Clubs of Winnipeg Foundation Inc. Barry Waller Elmer Gill Elmer and Mildred Paredes George Waters Robert Gold Doug Pollard & Kristie Pearson Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company W.J. and Emily Gourluck Scott Penman Marianne Wawrykow Jerry and Lynda Gray Victor Pinchin Windsor Park United Church Jim & Carol Gray Shirley Pincock Winnipeg Building and Decorating Ltd. Lis Grimstrup Bill and Mary Polonuk The Winnipeg Foundation Guardian Capital ProTelec Ltd. Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation Marjorie Hadland Province of Manitoba - Child Protection Branch WOW! Hospitality Concepts Curtis Hanstead Manitoba Family Services and Labour Larry Wozney Jack Hawthorn Amelia Prymak Denise Wright John and Joan Hemmerling Dave Purpur Cathleen Zajaros Gordon Herd Rainbow Stage Fleurette Zastre-Tetreault Scott Hildebrand RBC Foundation Plus many anonymous donors
3 Knowles Centre supports United Way with another successful year! Knowles Centre staff and foster par- • Home Depot • Nicolino’s Restaurant ents helped raise a remarkable $8,419 • Hu’s Asian Bistro • Old Spaghetti Factory for the United Way of Winnipeg in • Journeys Travel & Leisure Supercentre • Olive Garden 2012. Staff made generous donations • King Insurance Brokers Ltd. • Original Pancake House through payroll deduction, plus hosted • Knowles Centre Treatment Foster • Portage Regional Recreation Author- a fundraising auction. Chrissy Troy of Care Parents ity Inc. HOT 103 FM served as the talented • Brent and Laurel Lyon • Kenzie Prudhomme and entertaining auctioneer. Special • Manitoba Liquor Control Commission • Rae & Jerry’s Steakhouse thanks to local businesses and friends • McDole’s Gym • Rona Home & Garden of Knowles Centre for donating great • McGrath Diamonds • Spa Lifestyle auction prizes: • Meadows Golf Course • Marc van Herksen • Medi Spa Laser Skin Renewal Clinic • WOW! Hospitality Concepts • 103.1 FM Virgin Radio • Mills Insurance Agency Ltd. • Plus many contributions from • 92 CITI FM & CLEAR FM • Moxie’s Classic Grill Restaurant Knowles Centre board and staff • A Child’s Place • Academy Florist Corporation Inc. • All City Overhead Doors • Best Buy • CAA Manitoba • Canad Inns Corporate Office • CAS Santos Properties Ltd. • Castello Contracting & Tile • Celebrations Dinner Theatre • Colors For Hair • Computer Trends Canada • Leona DeFehr • Elephant & Castle British Pub & Restaurant • Global Winnipeg Shaw Media Knowles Centre’s United Way fundraising committe (left to right): Melissa • GNR Camping World Santos, Tammy DelaRosa, Tina Case, Hilary Park, and Committee Chair • Grace Café Kristi Venton. Committee member Dave Purpur is missing from photo.
Staff News Insights is published by: Tiffany Krueger, M.S.W., began her nator to pursue new opportunities in new position as Treatment Foster Care British Columbia. Kyle will be missed Coordinator in November. Tiffany by his co-workers and the many foster worked as a Clinical Case Manager families he worked with; and all wish with the program since April 2007. In him the best in the next exciting phase Knowles Centre Inc. her new role, Tiffany will work with of his life. 2065 Henderson Highway prospective and current foster parents, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada serve as a liaison to referring agencies, Welcome to Jenni Lyn Sarifa who R2G 1P7 and provide supervision and support joins Knowles Centre’s SAIL Program to other Clinical Case Managers in the as a full-time On Site Worker for the Telephone: (204) 339-1951 program. Congratulations on your new overnight shift. Fax: (204) 334-4173 position, Tiffany! Email: [email protected] Web: www.knowlescentre.org Kyle Spencer, M.Ed., left Knowles Centre in September 2012 after two Comments, suggestions and years of service as the TFC Coordi- inquiries are welcome.
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