HELPING HANDS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
In January 2017, the Actionmarguerite Centre launched a new program for residents of its Younger Adult unit. Interested participants go once a week to the Despins residence to prepare lunches for students of the Taché and Précieux-Sang schools. Mona Painchaud, from the 2ABC recreation team, runs this activity, which was created and financed by the Catholic Health Corporation of Manitoba. "We thought this program would be a good way for our residents to contribute to the community. The person in charge of the Despins residence starts the meal prep in the kitchen and we finish it. Sometimes there are sandwiches, or containers of fruits and veggies." Six residents regularly take part in the Tuesday morning activity. "We choose volunteer residents who have the ability to prepare the meals. It requires some dexterity. They want to help the students, and it's a good cause. It gives them the feeling of having a goal and staying connected with what's going on in the community." Joseph Unrau is one of the resident volunteers. "I want to help the students because they represent the next generation. It makes me proud to contribute, and it gives me the opportunity to use my one good arm.” David Galbraith adds, “We do this for the kids, and it’s nice to feel useful." Over time, resident Rebecca Harper has acquired outstanding dexterity. "When I first started out in the program, I was quite slow. Now I'm very fast. I can make around 35 sandwiches in one morning. It makes me sad to think of kids going hungry. I take part in this program to make sure that doesn’t happen." While preparing the lunches, Rosemary McMurray thinks of her daughter. "My daughter will finish high school in June. By helping with the lunches, I want to set an example. So many children don’t eat breakfast. There is a direct relationship between good nutrition and learning ability, which makes sense. I think what we're doing is very important. If students are going to school hungry, we can help them." Karen Pressey wants to make sure that the students eat well. "Providing them with good food helps ensure that they stay healthy throughout their lives. It’s better than giving them junk food. It makes me feel good to help people who are not as functional as I am." For more than an hour, the six volunteers work together for the students. "I’m happy to be here," says John Wapash. "It feels good to know we're helping, and we are having a good time doing it," adds Rebecca Harper.