‘We can make a change’
Michelle Ward left those attending Thursday’s Aberdeen Hospital Foundation annual general meeting with a lot to think about, including the challenge to “just be kind.”
The executive director of Kids First Association was speaking about how people can work collectively to improve the health of the community outside the acute care setting.
Kids First strives to improve the quality of life for families through building confidence, stability and hope in families with children up to the age of six in Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties by providing quality programs, supports, and advocacy.
One issue that affects population health is poverty, and Ward said most people believe there’s no way – either individually or collectively – that we can end poverty in our community because changes to the system are beyond our capacity. But she believes otherwise. “We use this as an excuse not to act on or react to these issues.”
Ward said we can change the way we think and work with people in our community who are affected and help them maneuver the complex systems to improve their health and the health of their families.
“We can make a change – we just need to reframe the way we work and the way we think about those who are challenged because of life circumstances. We can stop judging other people’s actions and start working as a community to be kinder and more accepting of other’s circumstances.”
Ward also spoke about how funding received from the Aberdeen Health Foundation through the Children’s Aid Society Endowment was used to help improve the health of families.
Kids First Association received monies that were used
to put together lice kits, buy items for its trading post, and to purchase updated parenting resources.
“It is during the delivery of these parenting programs
where relationships are built and fostered and real learning and changes in behaviour occur.”
At the trading post, people can trade for items such as shampoo, diapers, toothpaste, tampons, soap, toothbrushes, garbage bags and toilet paper that aren’t available at the food bank, but are necessary.
“If we create an environment where trading a can of soup for toothpaste is without fuss or judgment, we create opportunities for conversation. We learn what is really happening with that person or that family. We find out the real story of their circumstances and create opportunities to learn what other supports can be used to improve outcomes.”
Dealing with lice is a huge issue in our community, said Ward, noting that no one is immune. “However, it is our most economically challenged families who are most affected because it’s darn expensive to treat.”
She said purchasing a lice comb and a chemical hair treatment, along with washing all bedding and clothing can cost more than $200 for a family of four.
Funding from the Health Foundation made six lice kits, which include a lice comb and a homemade lice treatment recipe.