October is Community Support Month in Ontario – a time to celebrate and acknowledge our staff and volunteers who provide support to vulnerable members of their communities every day.
Last week was Community Care Week in Ontario and the Canadian Red Cross paid tribute to its Community Support Workers. The Canadian Red Cross is one of the largest non-profit providers of personal support and homemaking services in Ontario. Last year, our workers provided 3.7 million hours of care to 24,000 clients.
I could go on and on about the difference our community support workers make in the lives of their clients and clients’ families every day. But, I would rather have one of our clients share with you her story.
Meet Jean Wyatt from Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Jean first received Red Cross personal support/homemaking services for her late husband. Inspired by the care he received, she became a Red Cross volunteer assisting with transportation services and disaster management – even traveling to the US to help respond to Hurricane Katrina. When her own health began to fail, she became a client of the Red Cross, receiving the same services that had helped her husband. Because of the support she is receiving, she is still able maintain her quality of life including volunteering for the Red Cross – something she holds dear to heart.
Watch this video to learn more about Jean’s incredible story.