Board of Directors

Maureen Elworthy, President

Joanne Hurtig,

Vice President

Gil Owen, Treasurer

Barb Jones, Secretary

Susie Girling, Director

Stephanie Ball, Director

10 Years of Awesome 1

CLS Seasonal Celebration 2

Santa Starbucks 2

Lunch & Learns 3

Award Winning Staff 3

Diversity Employers 4

TOEM Fund & Smile Card 4

Health & Safety Corner 5

Workplace Health & Wellness

7

Staff Corner 8

Did You Know? 3, 4

Inside this issue:

Phoenix Rising

P h o e n i x H u m a n S e r v i c e s A s s o c i a t i o n

Volume 8, Issue 1

January 2017

On September 30, 2016,

former and current staff

members, clients, families,

past and present Board of

Directors members, and

community partners gathered

to enjoy a very special evening

at the Da Vinci Centre celebrat-

ing the 10th anniversary of

Phoenix Human Services

Association. The event kicked

off with our Annual General

Meeting, during which we

heard from our Executive

Director, George Klukowski,

and our Board President, Susie

Girling.

Following the Phoenix AGM, the

party started with a wonderful BBQ buffet (Fat Daddy’s BBQ) that was enjoyed by all. Heather

(FD program) provided an exquisite anniversary cake and cupcakes. The room was beautifully

decorated by staff and clients. As well, we had an awesome photo booth that was a huge hit

with all of the guests. Some fun and fabulous memories were captured for folks to take home

and enjoy. One of Victoria’s local music groups (Ange Hehr band) provided perfect dance music

for the evening. They really got everyone up and moving! Staff, clients, and family members

were busting their best moves on the dance floor, thoroughly enjoying the party. Copious door

prizes were announced and distributed throughout the night. Our thanks to Julie for being our

emcee. It was a remarkable evening!

Celebrating 10 Years of Phoenix ~ by Joanne Hurtig (Board Vice President)

Page 2

Seasonal Celebration for CLS Adults ~ Lois Gabitous, Coordinator for CLS Employment Program

Thank you to our Phoenix colleagues for your support!

The 3rd annual CLS Adults and Employment Program Seasonal Celebration at the Six

Mile Pub was a great success! Our team would like to say a sincere “thank you” to all

Phoenix staff for your support in the past year to make this event possible. Thanks to

your generosity by donating items to our garage sale and purchasing Purdy’s

chocolates, more than 40 adults with disabilities enjoyed a fabulous feast on

November 23. The event was social and festive. Over 40 program participants, staff,

and board members (thanks Gil and Joanne for joining us) met with new friends and old

friends…. and everybody walked away with a special gift and a full stomach!

Santa Starbucks ~ Melissa (FD program)

Our neighbourhood Starbucks

(Quadra & McKenzie) went above

and beyond this holiday season in

making a memorable and special

Christmas for one of our families

we serve.

The staff decided to sponsor a

family and contacted Phoenix

though one of our staff members.

The Starbucks team organized it

all, reaching out to ask the specific

needs of each member of the

family (mom, dad, and four kids).

From there, they made thoughtful

and creative posters in the store,

letting the community know about

the needs of this family, and set up

a cash donation box. The

community support was over-

whelming! Hundreds of dollars in

cash donations, gift cards from

London Drugs and Thrifty Foods,

art supplies, make-up, clothing,

books for the children, and even

donations of an oil change and safety inspection for the family

vehicle. With the cash donations, the Starbucks staff went out

on their own time to Old Navy, Costco, and others, and bought

new shoes, coats, and sleepwear

for all the children. As well, they

were able to make sure each child

received 3 gifts from Santa. They

wrapped all the gifts and delivered

them to the door of this family on

December 23.

With Christmas gifts now supplied,

the family decided to put up their

Christmas tree and make ginger-

bread houses. Until that day, they

had not been in the holiday spirit,

as the parents didn't know if

Santa would be coming to their

home.

A big heartfelt “Thank You” from

all the staff at Phoenix to the

generous, thoughtful, and special

Starbucks Santas and the

community that supported them.

Because of everyone’s care and

consideration, this family had a

memorable, special, and delightful

Christmas that would not have happened otherwise. Again,

THANK YOU!!!

Page 3

Lunch & Learns ~ Lois

Award Winning Staff Members

For the past 2 years, 16 Lunch and Learn sessions have inspired, informed, and

educated us. Past sessions included presentations from TAPS, Disability Resource

Centre, Music Therapy, Gender and Sexuality, Power and Privilege, BC Schizophrenia

Society, Sign Language, Ready to Rent, Ergonomics, Community Resources, and many

more.

Attendance has been great and averages 8 to 9 staff members at each session. Most

importantly, we have gotten to know each other. It has been incredible to see long-term

staff members from different programs shake hands for the first time and share stories.

The purpose of lunch and learns is threefold:

Have fun and meet your co-workers

Diversify the way we deliver training

Value the rich experience and skills we have within our agency

Upcoming Sessions

CARF: What? Why? How? - Wednesday, February 15; 12-1

Narrative Therapy Techniques – Tuesday, March 14; 12-1

In September 2016, two Phoenix staff members and two others were honoured by Camosun College after graduating from

programs in June 2016.

Haley (CLS Adults) was awarded the Dr. Alastair and Janet Baird Award in CFCS (Community, Family, and Child Studies). The

award honours one student in Health and Human Services programs who “strives to develop knowledge and frontline skills with

the intention of engaging in direct care for individuals with mental health issues. To win this award, Haley demonstrated

exceptional qualities of empathy, respect, facilitative leadership, and a strong commitment to promoting advocacy for

Individuals and families who are living with mental illness.” (text credit: Camosun College)

Sarah was awarded the Beconnected Support Services award in Community Support and Education for demonstrating

“dedication and leadership in supporting people with significant challenges and who, through his or her actions, promotes the

respect for independence and individuality of each individual supported.” (text credit: Camosun College)

Keenan Andrew (former practicum student with our Community Inclusion program) received the Phoenix Human Services award.

Riley Vaskic received the James Guthrie Memorial award. Both awards are from Phoenix Human Services Association.

We want Lunch and Learn sessions to continue! Coordinator Opportunity Available - approximately 1 hour per month; flexible according to your own schedule. See Lois if you are willing and able to see these sessions continue!

Did you know? Nucleus tracking and reminders

Within your Nucleus client record, you can set reminders for yourself to complete documentation!

Within each client file:

Go to the tab marked “SPECIAL”

Go to the tab marked “Add Tracking Item”

Go to the drop down menu, choose the specific item (such as ISP review), and set the date it will be due.

Later, you will receive notification it is due through the Com-box system. Yeah!

All knowledge is connected to all other knowledge. The fun is in making the connections. ~ Arthur Aufderheide

Page 4

Our Employment Program is thriving and the list of employers

for our clients continues to grow. Having a staff that consists of

all types of diversity, including developmental

differences, enhances the atmosphere of any workplace.

To that end, our Employment Services program celebrates the

following “Diversity Champion” employers:

Home Depot - Langford

Category 1 Cleaners

Canaus Drywall

Nirvana Pet Resort

CrossFit Stasis

Walmart

Superstore

Searles Auto Repair

English Inn

Lewis Sheet Metal

Salvation Army - Cedar Hill

Salvation Army - View Royal

Thrifty Foods - Broadmead

The Papery

The Local General Store Oscar and Libby's

Mercy Ships Canada

Lifestyle Select - Sidney

The Keg

Employers Supporting

Workplace Diversity ~ Lois

Did You Know?

We’re multi-lingual!

Diversity of languages with some of our staff

members: French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch,

Romanian, Polish, Flemish, Gaelic, Ukrainian, and

American Sign language.

Thrifty Foods Smile Card Program & our

TOEM Fund ~ Lois

Many of our Phoenix Program participants have benefitted from the TOEM (The Other Eleven

Months) fund over the past 10 years. As you know, the program has been used to support

children, youth, adults, and families from all of our programs. Recent examples of funded

items include: strollers, diapers, snacks for youth in detox, hockey equipment, cribs, summer

camp, ID replacement, snacks during supervised access, emergency food, and

counselling. The fund also supports the bus ticket program.

In order to continue to have this fund available to us, we need to replenish the TOEM funds.

We need your help to do this! Please see Joan or your Coordinator for a Thrifty Foods Smile

Card in order to safeguard the TOEM fund for all of our clients.

Did you know?

The Thrifty Foods Smile Card Fundraising program provides 5% back on the dollars spent at

Thrifty Foods to non-profit organizations like Phoenix. Help us reach our target of $1,000 for

the TOEM fund this year! So….

Pick up your Smile Card

Load your card at any Thrifty Foods

Buy your groceries

5% goes directly back to Phoenix

*If you had a card, but lost it – please see Joan and she will happily replace it!

Shout Out!

A special shout out to Cheryl

(CYSN) for generously dropping

off her own ice melt to Joan

Crescent in our time of need!

These acts of kindness make

this world a better place!

We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. ~ Maya

Angelou

If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize

the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse

human gift will find a fitting place. ~ Margaret

Mead

Page 5

OSH Corner ~ Laurie Hill, Coordinator for Family Development Programs

FYI

The Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OSH) is comprised of 4 front line staff and 2 Program Coordinators. Our members

are Laurie (chair, Family Development Coordinator), Donna (Day Programs Coordinator), Heather (FD West Shore), Cheryl (CYSN),

Myrna (MHOT), and Kelly (FD Core Victoria). We meet on the third Tuesday morning of the month at either the McKenzie office or the

Joan Crescent building. All of the meeting minutes are posted in the lounge at the McKenzie office under the Health and Safety

Heading and at Joan Crescent on the bulletin board in the admin office. During our monthly meeting, we review any WCB claims,

Drills, and Health and Safety Concerns, as well as reviewing and updating any forms and documents. Currently, we are busy

getting ready for our CARF site visit this spring so we are reviewing any changes to Health and Safety standards, drills, H/S

handbooks, and a variety of other tasks.

New Drills

The health and safety team has been busy and we are in the process of implementing and updating the ‘Workplace Violence’ drill to

include ‘Lock Down’ (dangerous intruder in building) and ‘Lock Out Procedures’ (danger outside of the building/office), which are

reflective of current practices in the community at large. These will be implemented in early spring 2017. A reminder that drills are

run in team meetings every 2 months, so please make sure you are participating or if you miss your team meeting, that you review

any drills you missed. These are for your safety and well-being.

Thanks to all of you who participated in our “Shakeout BC Drill” last October 19 at 10:19 a.m. The response was great and we

received a certificate for participating in the Provincial Earthquake Drill.

Location of Evacuation Kits

Please make sure you are familiar with the location of the emergency evacuation kits and AED’s for the McKenzie, Joan Crescent,

and Wale Road offices (the Phoenix office at Wale Road does not have its own AED).

Scent Free Workplace

As our agency has committed to keeping a safe work environment and due to numerous staff members with serious scent related

allergies, Phoenix continues to require staff to uphold our ‘Scent Free’ workplace practice for all Phoenix sites.

Inclement Weather

Please remember to follow inclement weather policy and heed all traffic advisories on local news and radio stations (Chek TV, CFAX,

and Environment Canada). Stay Safe out there!!

Cold & Flu Home Remedy Tea

This recipe comes from one of our previous coordinators and OSH Committee member so for some of you long term staff, this may be

familiar but it is still a great recipe. It is a simple concoction made with ingredients most of you already have in your kitchen. Enjoy!

Ingredients

ginger, lemon juice, honey, water

pot or thermos

tea strainer

favourite mug or cup

Lemon is high in vitamin C, which is also full of phytochemicals. It is said these plant constituents help boost the immune system. So

don't wait until you are ill, start drinking it now. Ginger and honey are also said to help the immune system.

Method

fill your tea kettle and get it boiling

grate a one inch piece of fresh ginger root

use a thermos or simply keep it simmering in a pot on the stove, and put the ginger root in your container of choice

add about 4 tbsp. of lemon juice

add about 3 tbsp. of honey

when the water is boiled, pour it into the thermos (or the pot in which you have boiled the water and added the ingredients)

let steep for about 20 minutes

strain into a cup and drink

You can vary the suggested amounts to your personal tolerance and satisfaction. Get well!

Page 6

VISIT ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES FOR

ILLNESS

Green Light (Child DOES attend)

Muscle aches

Mild headache

Stomach-ache without other symptoms

Allergy symptoms

Asthma (controlled)

Sunburn

Lack of sleep

Reluctance to attend due to emotional factors

Yellow Light (Child MAY attend)

Chronic runny nose

Lingering cough

Mild headache

Muscle aches

Sore throat without fever

Red Light (Child DOES NOT attend)

Fever 100 degrees or higher in the morning

More than one episode of vomiting or diarrhoea

Untreated ear infection, symptoms of pink eye, impetigo, or

ringworm (unless area can be covered)

Chicken Pox; until all lesions are crusted and dry (usually 7-10

days)

Rash with fever

Untreated head lice

Sore throat with fever

Runny nose with thick green mucous

OSH Corner (continued from page 5)

Winter Health & Safety

Reminders

With the cold and flu season upon us, there are numerous

precautions everyone can take in order to stay healthy. Here

are a few reminders and tips to help keep you, your family, and

clients healthy this winter season.

Attendance policy for persons-served

Take a moment to remind your families, caregivers, and person-

served about the attendance policy for services. The “Red Light,

Yellow Light, Green Light “ Attendance Policy Guidelines are

posted on the Health and Safety Information Board at the

McKenzie office, as well as in the Health and Safety binders at

all work locations. Please refer to the Communicable Disease

Policy.

Effective and efficient handwashing

Thorough, efficient handwashing is the easiest way to help

prevent the spread of illness and disease. Most people don’t

wash their hands long enough for the cleaning process to be

effective. Here’s the breakdown: Remove jewelry, turn on the

water (be sure it is warm), wet your hands and apply soap, rub

your hands together for at least 20 seconds, rinse your hands

from the wrist to fingertips (keep fingertips pointed down to

prevent recontamination), dry your hands with a paper towel,

and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Use of hand sanitizer and wipes

There are sanitary wipes available in first aid kits and also

around the office. There is also a hand sanitizer pump at the

McKenzie office, right beside the elevator. Try to keep extra

wipes or a personal bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag for use

when out in the community.

Overall, try to remember to wash your hands after sneezing,

coughing, blowing your nose, touching your eyes, ears nose or

mouth, and after touching commonly used items. Always wash

before and after preparing food, and after using the washroom.

Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze into the crook of

your elbow to avoid the spread of germs.

Furthermore, be safe on the roads at this time of year. Utilize

winter tires for your vehicle if you have them and on wet and

snowy days, leave extra travel time for excessive and slower-

moving traffic. Don’t hesitate to remind families and caregivers

to keep walks ways and front entrances clear of snow to avoid

slipping and serious injury. Refer to the Inclement Weather

Policy and if you have any questions, please consult with your

Program Coordinator.

If you forget to say

“pika” before you

sneeze, you can always

say “bacca” afterwards.

If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live? ~ unknown

The part can never be well unless the

whole is well. ~ Plato

Page 7

Health & Wellness in the Workplace

~ Donna Washington, Coordinator for Community Inclusion Programs

What better time to get the ball rolling on our own Health and

Wellness Program than the New Year! On January 24, a group of

Phoenix staff members from various programs gathered together

to discuss the feedback from the survey, began creating a plan

specific to the needs of Phoenix employees, and brainstormed

some fun initiatives for 2017! I will also be attending a ‘Lunch

and Learn’ through Engaged HR in January, which I hope will

bring some tried and true practices to include in our plan. Expect

to hear a lot more about this initiative throughout the year!

If anyone feels like they missed the boat but would still like to

participate in some way, just get in touch with me by email.

In the meantime, I leave you with few tips to help you stay active

and motivated:

Schedule time to do something active

Choose things you enjoy doing

Pace yourself so you don’t get injured

If you are social, find a friend or group to meet with

Try mixing up the activities so you don’t reach a plateau or get

bored

Track and write down your progress going by the way you feel,

not just numbers on a scale

Create an amazing playlist for listening

Be flexible not punitive; it’s about maintaining a reasonable

and healthy lifestyle

Reward yourself frequently to keep motivation up

Take time to check out the Heart and Stroke Foundation

of Canada website, which has a great resource on getting

active, among many other tips and tools:

www.heartandstroke.ca/get-health

Employees who were hired in 2016

Melissa Family Development

Kimberley CYSN

Jody Lambert CYSN Coordinator

Yvonne CYSN

Haley Community Inclusion

Sarah Day Programs

Ben CLS Employment

Stephanie Saunders Adult Services Coordinator

Employees who left Phoenix in 2016

Nicole CYSN

Piers CYSN

Heather Family Development

Justin Day Programs

Michelle CLS Employment

Lynn Community Inclusion (retired after 15 years

with us)

Goodbye! Welcome!

The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil

Page 8

Practical Magic ~ Diane (FD program)

When I was a young girl, starting around the age of

10, I did the laundry for my family. It was a

Saturday chore that I actually looked forward to.

My mom thought she was being punitive; however,

I had learned at a very early age to find reward and

pleasure in the mundane.

In those days, we used a wringer washer. This chore

required an early rise, sorting the family laundry

into piles of similar colour, filling the washer with

hot water, and starting with the whites. I would

load the washer, watch as it swished and cleaned the clothes (the hum was mesmerizing),

and then put each piece of clothing through the wringer into a cement laundry tub filled with

cold rinse water. Then followed back through the wringer and into a clothes basket to carry

up the stairs and hang on the line. There is a science to hanging clothes, which I mastered, as

all the neighbours would see my work. The goal was to get all the laundry spaced equally

apart to allow the wind to blow through, with the number of clothes pins in the bucket.

There is no other smell like line dried clean laundry that has just the right amount of fresh air

in each piece.

Later in life, as a mother of many children, I was reminded of the art of pinning clothes to

the line. I was at my in-laws’ cottage and there was laundry. It was no longer my Saturday

chore, nor required the arduous use of a wringer washer; however, I was delighted when my

mother-in-law asked me to hang the clothes on the line.

She watched with curiosity and a critical eye. I knew of that which she was thinking. She

proceeded to guide me and correct my “use of the clothes pins.”

My husband, at the time, was annoyed that she would stand over me and instruct me. I

understood and was pleased, as she was approaching her seventieth birthday, in her interest

of the “art” and its continuance. I explained to him that to me, she was sharing her expertise

and it was important for her to feel her guidance was important and still required.

The relevance of this anecdote is to ask each and every one of you to consider the “magic” of

including the older and elderly in your own lives. They need to continue to feel needed, they

are a wealth of support and guidance, and are likely delighted to share their “expertise.”

Staff Corner

Phoenix Human Services

Association

250-383-4821

1095 McKenzie Avenue

(4th Floor)

Victoria, BC

V8P 2L5

Fax: 250-386-7142

www.phoenixhumanservices.org

The opinions expressed by

those interviewed or those

contributing are not

necessarily those of

Phoenix Human Services

Association or its

management.

Salmon Fishing and the FBI

David (CLS Adults) has signed a book publishing deal with Heritage

House Publishers in Victoria. The book is about his adventures as a

salmon fishing guide at Stuart Island in BC and the summer the FBI and SEC (US Security

Exchange Commission) came to question the guides about information they might have

about insider trading. The book will be out spring 2018; title and launch date to be

determined. Sounds intriguing!!

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~ Yiddish proverb