The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Linda Scott truly loves her job. As administrator for Norman Community Services, she helps mentally-challenged residents be part of the community and lead independent lives. "Of all the positions I've held in my life, this is the most rewarding because you get to see that these people are happy and healthy," says Scott. NCS is celebrating 25 years of serving Flin Flon by aiding the mentally-challenged in living on their own, finding employment and volunteer opportunities and enjoying their free time. Despite much success over the years, Scott feels that both the provincially-funded NCS and the productiveness of its residents remain largely unknown. Most of the 11 men and women aided by NCS hold jobs at places such as Wal-Mart and the Salvation Army Thrift Store, while some contribute to their community by volunteering. Five of the residents reside at the NCS group home on Boam St., where there is always a staff person ready to lend a hand. The remaining residents have their own apartments throughout the community. While helping the residents, the NCS is careful not to intrude. Carol Bergman, the residents' services manager, stresses that they make their own choices. "They have to have the opportunity to choose what their life is," says Bergman. "They have a say over their time and finances and spare time." Both Bergman and Scott credit their staff of more than 30 people with allowing the residents to live up to their true potential. Staff serve as both teachers, showing the residents how to do everyday life skills like cooking and laundry, and mentors with certain expectations. "People rise to their expectations," says Bergman. The nature of the job means it is not for everyone, but for the right person, the work is extremely fulfilling. "The staff want to be there and see that they're doing something that makes a difference in people's lives," says Bergman. "It's a very difficult job to do if you're only here for the money." See 'Like' P.# Con't from P.# One difficulty comes about when the staff are chaperoning the residents in the community. There are times, Scott notes, when people seem afraid of the residents. "They're people, just like us, that need a little bit of help," says Scott. "I think the community really doesn't know that our people are capable." In the future years, NCS staff hope not only to erase that stigma, but also bring more mentally-challenged residents on board. "This gives these people their best chance at as normal a life as possible," says Bergman. "This gives them a home." History The NCS has roots dating back to the mid-1970s, when a group of parents with disabled sons and daughters joined the Association for Community Living to explore living arrangements for such individuals. They submitted a proposal to the Department of Community Social Services, which was approved in September 1979, to establish a five-bed group home. A search for a suitable building proved futile, so a new home was built at 21 Boam St., opening in the spring of 1984. Today, the NCS has 10 apartments around the community and a staff of 35 people, with funding coming through Manitoba Family Services and Housing. If you would like to volunteer with NCS, phone 687-6890.10/25/2004
