Joey Moss & Friends Walk-Athon

This year, due to the current pandemic situation, we have had to postpone The 3rd Annual Joey Moss & Friends Golf Classic. As many of you know, this is our biggest fundraising event of the year and an amazing day for everyone to come together and celebrate the great work and people of WSA.

Because we are unable to run this event until 2021, we have started up in lieu and are excited to announce:

The Joey Moss & Friends Walk-Athon 2020!

When: Thursday, August 20th - Sunday, August 24th, 2020

What: A virtual 5km or 10km walk/run. Complete your course in 1 day or over 4 days! We will unite in spirit, not in person!

Where: Wherever you are! Around your community, in Edmonton's River Valley, down the street or around the block. Walk or Run!

How: Register as an individual, family or a virtual team – start your fundraising effort today! 

Fundraising Goals:

Level 1 (Supporter):

• $100 raised per Person

• $400 raised per Team (2+)

Level 2 (Contributor):

• $250 raised per Person

• $1,000 raised per Team (2+)

Level 3 (Partner):

• $500 per Person

• $2,000 per Team (2+)

Level 4 (Benefactor)

• $1,000 per person

• $4,000 per Team (2+)

Level 5 (Visionary):

• $1,000+ per person

• $4,000+ per Team (2+)

Each participant who reaches the supporter level, will receive a complimentary event T-shirt! Additional prizes will be awarded based on fundraising levels reached. Once signed up and closer to the event, we will provide you with information to track your 5km or 10km walk/run!

Participant packages and qualifying prizes will be delivered prior to the event.

To find out more and to register, please check out: joeymossandfriends.myevent.com Or E-mail chloehb@wsaf.ca

WSA Town Hall Meeting On June 12th, 2020 at 5:00pm

Dear Family Members, Guardians and Caregivers,

Please join Winnifred Stewart Association’s CEO, Sue Gilchrist, for a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Friday, June 12th, 2020, at 5 pm. It is your opportunity to get updates on our services and to ask any questions.

Following are four ways you can log into the meeting on Zoom; please choose one of them:

1. One-Click on your computer!

To join Sue on Zoom, please click on the following link at 5 pm:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3916128237?pwd=ZjBhMTA1WkswRFFoa3RkSGloQjZUdz09

1. Log into zoom.us and type in the following codes:

Meeting ID:         391 612 8237

Password:           13573

1. One tap mobile:

+16475580588,,3916128237# Canada

+17789072071,,3916128237# Canada

1. Join the meeting on your phone:

Phone: 1 (587) 328-1099 

Meeting ID: 391 612 8237

Password: 13573

If you are unable to attend this Virtual Town Hall Meeting, and you have questions for Sue, please don’t hesitate to call her at 780-453-6707 e251 or send her an email at SueG@wsaf.ca.

Update: Winnifred Stewart Association Day and Residential Programs

In our efforts to protect the health and well-being of the individuals we support, our staff and the community, Winnifred Stewart Association continues to follow PDD’s and Alberta Health Services’ guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Re: Day Services Extended Closure
We are extending the suspension of our Day Services program until May 31st, 2020. This date is subject to change and is contingent on Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s decisions for service providers such as ours.

Re: Residential Services’ Outdoor Visits
In the Record of Decision – CMOH Order 14-2020 (Appendix A), there is a significant amendment to the order that will improve the quality of life and mental health for many WSA residents, their family and loved ones. Though visitors are still not allowed entry into our residences, we are permitted to support residents to have outdoor visits with a designated visitor and one other guest (i.e., a maximum group of three, including the resident) on WSA property. A resident or their alternate decision-maker (e.g. their guardian) selects who will be a designated visitor. Residents who are not required to be isolated and can observe physical distancing requirements of two metres are encouraged to have outdoor visits with loved ones. Please arrange a day and time to visit by contacting the residential staff or supervisor; they will review the necessary protocols, like health assessment checks, for a visit.

We will continue to provide updates by phone, email or mail if the situation changes, and please contact us at any time with your questions or concerns at 780-453-6707. For ongoing updates about the COVID-19 situation, please visit our website at https://www.winnifredstewart.com/news. Thank you for your continuing support during the pandemic.

Day Services Closure Extended to April 30, 2020

In our efforts to protect the health and well-being of the individuals we support, our staff and the community, Winnifred Stewart Association continues to follow the recommendations and direction from PDD and Alberta Health Services. One directive is to extend the suspension of WSA’s Day Services program until April 30th, 2020; however, this date is subject to change pending how this pandemic evolves.

We will continue to provide updates by phone, email or mail if the situation changes, and please contact us at any time with your questions or concerns at 780-453-6707.

We invite all family members, guardians and caregivers to join our CEO, Sue Gilchrist, at 6 pm for a daily conference call to answer any questions you may have about the current pandemic and the impact on WSA.

Thank you for your support in slowing the spread of this virus.

Stay well,

Sue Gilchrist,

CEO

Day Services Closure and Changes to Visiting in Residential Services

Day Services Closure

Out of an abundance of caution for the individuals we serve, and to help reduce the risk of infection, we have made the difficult decision to suspend our current Day Program operations. WSA’s Day Services program will be closed from March 17th, 2020 until April 15, 2020; however, this date is subject to change pending how this pandemic evolves.

Residential Services Visiting

Visits from family and friends are an important part of the lives of our residents. At the same time, prevention of infection is perhaps the most important step we can take in protecting our residents, some of whom are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. While fully appreciating the need to find balance between visitor restriction and ensuring continued quality of life for our residents, visitor restriction is one of the most important tools we have available. At this stage, the following guidance is in effect:

•  Effective today, we are restricting visitors to all residences to essential visitors only

• We are asking that essential visitors are restricted to one or two persons at a time and that those visitors be immediate family or  designated support persons only

• This will reduce the risk of our residents being exposed to COVID-19

• We ask you to also restrict visitation of children as children do not necessarily show symptoms of COVID-19

• If you are ill with fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or sore throat, please do not visit

• If you have travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days, please do not visit

 We are asking staff in our residences to:

1. Screen visitors at arrival. This is to identify anyone who:

a.       Appears to be ill or reports fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or sore throat;

b.       Has travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days;

c.       Is a close contact of someone with confirmed COVID-19; or

d.       Is a close contact of someone who has recently developed fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or sore throat

2. Identify to visitors that if any of the screening questions have a “yes” answer, they will not be allowed to visit

3. Ensure all visitors sign in. Sign-in sheets will be sent out to homes with instructions as soon as possible.

This is a rapidly evolving situation and we greatly appreciate your patience as we continue to update our best practices. Please don’t hesitate to contact your Supervisor or member of the Management Team should you have any questions.

Daily Conference Call

Beginning on Tuesday, March 17, we invite all family members, guardians and caregivers to join our CEO, Sue Gilchrist at 6 pm for a daily conference call to answer any questions you may have about the current pandemic and the impact on WSA.

Conference calls will be held Monday-Friday at 6 pm via the conference line below:

Dial in: 1 (888) 433-2192

To access the web portal go to http://conferencing.shawbusiness.ca

Participant code: 1096305

Thank you for your understanding in this matter and please let us know if there is any way we can support you and your family during this difficult time by contacting any member of our management team by visiting this page.

Daily Family/ Guardian Conference Calls

Beginning on Tuesday, March 17th, we invite all family members and guardians to join our CEO, Sue Gilchrist at 6pm for a daily conference call to answer any questions you may have about the current pandemic and the impact on WSA.

Confernce calls will be held Monday-Friday at 6pm via the conference line below:

Dial in: 1 (888) 433-2192

To access the web portal go to http://conferencing.shawbusiness.ca

Participant code: 1096305

Please contact Candace Smallwood for assistance or questions regarding access to the conference call at CandaceS@wsaf.ca or 780-974-3190

WSA's Response to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress, Winnifred Stewart Association and Foundation's first priority is the health and well-being of the individuals we support, our staff and the community.

Our team has begun to implement our continuity plan, following recommendations and direction from PDD and Alberta Health Services.

To date, the following actions have been taken:

• Guidance continues to be provided to all staff and individuals regarding proper procedures for hand washing, coughing/ sneezing, handshakes, and social distancing.

• Our team has ensured hand sanitizer is readily available throughout our programs and has provided emergency preparedness kits on all sites

• All non-essential meetings, training and event attendance is being completed virtually or postponed

• Anyone returning from overseas travel has been asked to self-isolate for 14 days following their return

• Any of our Residential individuals attending our Day program will remain at home until March 30, or until further notice

• Residential programming will be restricted to low risk/exposure activities

• Some Day service staff may be sent to our residences to provide additional support during the day

• We are taking measures to decrease the number of people in the main building and to ensure that essential services are protected. Where possible some positions may be relocated

• For now, Day program will remain open with previously announced restrictions in place (social distancing, avoid large gatherings, universal precautions)

• Additionally, we are building a roster of staff who would be willing to work extra shifts, should we end up with a staff shortage due to illness
  

  We appreciate your support during this time, and thank you for your assistance in helping to ensure the safety of our organization and the community as a whole. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, by contacting any member of our Management team. Please visit Our Team page for contact information.
  

Winnifred Stewart Community Kitchen Grand Opening

On Thursday, March 5th, we were honoured to have so many special guests in attendance as we celebrated the grand opening of our new Winnifred Stewart Community Kitchen.

We are forever grateful to everyone who was involved in making this project such a success and look forward to sharing this beautiful space with our community.

If you weren’t able to make the event but want to check out the new kitchen in person, we’d love to show you around! Just give us a call at 780-453-6707 for tours!

Thank you to all of our partners!

The Winnifred Stewart Community Kitchen is Complete!

Our project is complete, and we can’t wait for you to see it! Click the link below to get all the details!

https://www.winnifredstewart.com/wsa-kitchen-reno

Kitchen Reno Update!

We have new walls! Click the link to get the scoop on the progress of our kitchen reno funded by the Government of Alberta’s Community Facilities Enhancement Program.

https://www.winnifredstewart.com/wsa-kitchen-reno