(Tiffany Goodwein/ CHAT News Today)

By Tiffany Goodwein

REDI Enterprises Society hosts drive-by for front-line workers

Apr 19, 2020 | 11:31 AM

MEDICINE HAT– A parade of cars showered sounds of support for group home workers on Saturday. The event organized by REDI Enterprises society aimed to show appreciation for their front-line workers in Medicine Hat and Brooks.

“We have front-line support workers that work 24/7 in these homes and throughout the pandemic, they’ve been really under a lot of stress so a group of our employees decided to show our support and get together to do a drive by,” said Craig Wood, Executive Director of REDI Enterprises society.

REDI Enterprises society operates 11 group homes in Medicine Hat and five group homes in Brooks. The non-profit organization has been providing support to people with disabilities since 1952.

There are approximately 100 front line workers employed at REDI Enterprises Society who are responsible for about 50 clients with disabilities . Wood said the pandemic brought with it a share of challenges for both workers and clients.

“With the pandemic there are certain things that we have to do, one of them is continuous face coverings for all the staff, so that makes things a little more interesting. The isolation for the people we support, certainly isolation creates problems for everyone but if you have an intellectual disability trying to understand , why you can’t go to the mall, why you can’t go outside, why you can’t do what you normally do is even more challenging.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

19h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

Dec 11, 2024

Wood said staff are also limited to working at one facility, which is having an impact on some front-line workers income.

A limit to the number of facilities an employee can work coupled with self-isolation rules also means challenges with filling some vacancies in the work week.

“We are having to do some juggling with our schedule a bit, but we are managing just fine but it does create a little extra stress,” Wood said.

The worry of a possible outbreak is also top of mind for many group home front-line workers.

“I think everyone is scared of an outbreak and if you look at where they are occurring across Canada it is in congregate living situations so nursing homes, group homes like REDI operates, so people are concerned, and so our first priority is to make sure that we do not get an infection,” Wood said.

Balloons and ribbons were eloquently stung on vehicles with signs showing their support.

Workers, and clients waved with a smile as the row of vehicles passed through their group home.

A little of moment of joy, for those living and working through the pandemic.