International Women’s Day dinner
With over 100 people attending the 11th annual International Women’s Day dinner hosted by the Yamaska Valley Optimist Club (YVO) on Saturday evening, members were proud to disclose that approximately $2,600 was raised. This money will be disbursed by the club during the year for services and activities for youth.
It was an evening of friendship, celebration and solidarity for our youth. The event has always been about honouring women who have made a positive impact on the community. This year it became all about community supporting community that supports community. It was clearly a celebration of extraordinary effort and knowledge and profound caring in respect to offering our youth optimal support and guidance as they make their way forward in times that are often challenging for them. From legal representation, psycho-social counselling, giving them shelter, that extra boost with school work, including them with the joys of seasonal celebrations, being a mentor, friend and opportunity to gain confidence in the eyes of an audience, the teams of Mains dans la Main, Brome-missisquoi Youth Foundation and the Brome Lake Optimist Club work tirelessly and are steadfast when it comes to reaching their respective goals.
Bringing in high-profile keynote speakers is a tradition for the organizers. In line with the recognizing organizations the club was fortunate that Iris Ungers, executive director of YES, agreed to present information about the non-profit organization that she manages. YES provides English-language support for Quebecers in search of employment. Originally known as Youth Employment Services, Ungers says that the organization brands itself as YES since it has broadened its mandate to help older clients as well. From job search for 16- to 35year-olds, guidance to entrepreneurs starting or wanting to grow their own business, and offering networking opportunities and conferences, YES is here in Quebec for the English community.
When asked how the organization helps in light of the many changes in the job field, Ungers responded that the reality of jobs as they are today becoming non-existent is a major challenge. She cautioned that the trend is seeing less opportunity to land jobs with tenure and benefits. Many more individuals are already working independently. Unger went on to say that there is often a mismatch between skills training in schools and what employers are now looking for. “Companies are looking for soft skills. They want candidates to be analytical. Philosophy, anthropology, and history students, for instance, are likely to find employment before someone who has taken accounting because companies now have software that can take care of those responsibilities.” Many employers want candidates who have the ability to analyze and know how to respond to changes. “We are looking for creative solutions to helping people find em-
With the sponsorship from Adam Lumber, Gib Rotherham has lined up four performances that include songbird Sarah Biggs; Soulwood’s Daniel Haché playing Cajun percussion, fiddle, and his didgeridoo; Kitchen Jam, who will be bringing along a bag piper; and Déja Two with Julia Rohan and France Lepitre for the third annual benefit concert for La Maison au Diapason. The event is scheduled for March 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Auberge Lakeview in Knowlton.
For Rotherham La Maison au Diapason in Bromont has immeasurable personal value. It’s where his partner, Irene Cleary, spent her final three weeks. He knows how important this non-profit organization is in the lives of those who are approaching the end, as well as those close to them. That’s why he wants to be a part of supporting the service and is hoping that the community will join him at this fundraising concert.
Speaking about the non-profit organization that serves as a palliative care residence Rotherham describes it as a perfect place to be. “It’s located in a beautiful setting with a professional team of caring and understanding people. They help the patient and they support those who are close to the patient in a friendly and peaceful environment,” he said.
La Maison au Diapason opened its doors just eight years ago and already it has received 725 terminally ill patients. During their stay they are provided free palliative care along with psychological and spiritual support. The organization makes every effort to help family and loved ones cope with the pending reality. To ensure this, they offer a special training program to volunteers who want to become part of the team of caregivers.
Although too busy at this point to assume any more responsibilities, retired social worker Ginette Couture enrolled in the two-day training program at La Maison au Diapason last autumn. She says that the program involves an introspective process that explores their feelings about death and dying. Mastering communication that helps identify the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs is a key element of helping to understand their hopes and fears and equipping the patients and their families with coping mechanisms. Couture summed it up as a workshop that helps to demystify the process a patient goes through and how anyone can be helpful if confronted with someone dealing with end of life. She feels that this program is an important feature that supports the work they are doing with the patients and their families.
“I found it very interesting and the people participating in the workshop were kind and sensitive souls,” Couture said. “I think it is intended for anyone either interested in the topic, going through a situation and wanting to be helpful, or wanting to volunteer or work with people who are in this phase of life.”
Tickets are for the Rotherham’s concert are $20 each and can be purchased at Brome Lake Books and Belles Chose.
employment — the thinkers with a good work ethic, time management skills.”
Ginette Couture, president of the YVO, congratulated Lois Hardacker, Janet Boulianne, Alka Montpatra, Judy Henderson, and Lenore Dudley for organizing the event while thanking Susan Growing Greener: Conservation by Design, Burbank for taking care of the purse auction published by the Pennsylvania and reading a special poem that she Land Trust Association, is an informative wrote for the occasion. Dudley also gave guide to understanding the concept of a special shout out to Hardacker for recruiting the 2012 development plan for Foster. It Ungers of YES and to Suzan can be found online at http://conservationtools.org/guides/9-growing-greenerconservation-by-design. Smith, Louise Gelinas, and Hardacker for presenting each of representatives for the organizations being honoured.