R Joyce introduced Kelly and Colleen:
Kelly Peterson has been working for Community Care Northumberland as the Volunteer Peer Support Coordinator for the past 2.5 years. Prior to her employment with CCN she worked at Extendicare Cobourg in the Activation Department and with WrapAround Northumberland as a facilitator. When not working, Kelly & her husband (Ken) are busy with their young family. Her son is 6 and her daughter is 4 and they are quite active in local recreation activities. Kelly & her husband also keep active by playing hockey, baseball & golf.
Kelly attended Brock University for Human Geography & Loyalist College for the Developmental Service Work program followed by the Activation and Gerontology. She is very passionate about her work with the Volunteer Peer Support program and is excited to officially launch the program and to provide another resource for members of Northumberland County to utilize.
Colleen Williams joined Community Care Northumberland in March of 2021, taking on their new position as Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator. Colleen has lived in Port Hope since she was young, her family returning to the area to be closer to their very large extended family. She attended Port Hope High School before continuing her education at the University of Guelph to complete her degree in Adult Development.
Colleen has worked throughout Northumberland County at a number of long-term care homes as an activity aide and a marketing manager at Cobourg Retirement. She spends her free time volunteering for the ALS Society of Canada, an organization she is passionate about since her father was diagnosed with the disease seven years ago.
Colleen has enjoyed the move to working for a non-profit organization that is committed to helping the vulnerable population in her area.
Colleen Williams (she/her)
Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator
A copy of their Power Point presentation is attached.
The Volunteer Peer Support (VPS) program is new and was to start 3 years ago but was delayed due to COVID. Now going live!!
Currently they have 3 active clients, all part of the Health Network of Northumberland County.
In 2019 they were one of 24 Health Teams in the province to initiate three programs:
1. VPS
2. Paramedicine Program
3. Rural Outreach Clinics - they have one in Colborne
VPS volunteers go through a four day training program to become certified Wrap Around Coordinators. They set up teams to support older adults. For this program, the client is the centre, all about the client. The program is designed around the clients needs, very individual. Builds on strengths of older adult and the Team helps them facilitate their active living. Teams typically meet monthly but can be more often. They track their success.
It is a collaborative program, integrating the skills of all team members to help the client. It is to support all life support issues. It is the client's plan and to be community based, kept positive and outcome based.
There are four phases of the Wrap Around program. Volunteers always go in pairs and look to build relationships. Create a team who works with client to create the plan and then implement.
In November they have training planned and currently 8 volunteers signed up.
They are looking for volunteers for many programs including:
VPS
Meals on Wheels
Transportation - compensated $0.50/km
Wellness visits
Ed's House - requires 30 hours of training
Also paid positions for in home support like maintenance and house cleaning.
They serve about 5,000 residents in the County.