Why reinvent the wheel?

We have all heard the saying, ‘why reinvent the wheel?’ and during the past four years of working as a community health representative, I have definitely learned to appreciate this saying.

With so many different organizations out there working towards similar goals, it is so great to partner up and live out those words. One area I have had the privilege of seeing this being done is in the SAKA organization. SAKA (Southern Alberta Kanadier Association) is a group of service providers from many different organizations coming together to network, identify barriers, and come up with solutions.

Together we work toward building supports and resources for our Low German Mennonite (LGM) families in Southern Alberta. I have found that in meeting regularly and discussing the needs for each individual organization, we have been able to make light work of things that might ordinarily become exhausting. Having grown up in the LGM community, I remember how much we appreciated those who took the time to understand and help us; so being on the other end now is such a privilege.

I would like to extend an invitation to others out there who could benefit from partnering up and joining us at our quarterly meetings, if the following is true for you:

- Does your staff or organization work with any LGM families?

- Have you identified any barriers in communicating with or reaching LGM families?

- Would you like to learn more about the LGM culture?

If so, feel free to contact me and I would be happy to go over the process with you of joining us at our next meeting. One of the ways we partner up yearly is by hosting Low-German informational evenings at various locations in Southern Alberta at different times of the year.

This year we were in Burdett on Nov. 2 and will be in Huntsville School in Iron Springs on Nov. 9. These events are an opportunity for LGM families to come and learn from presenters, with Low German translation, and connect with various service providers that they might otherwise not get the opportunity to connect with.

If you work or live in either of these two locations and would like to get involved, please contact me at the e-mail below. We’d love to partner with you and see how far this wheel, that we are not re-inventing, can take us as we reach out, equip, and empower others.

Tina Fielding is a community health representative and works with Population Health Promotion with Alberta Health Services. She can be reached by email at tina.fielding@ahs.ca or 403388-6671.