A group of NC students are bringing holiday cheer to local adults with developmental disabilities.
Seven students from the College’s Educational Assistant and Special Needs Support program have volunteered to host a virtual Christmas party for residents in group homes with Community Living St. Catharines. They are treating their virtual guests to a roster of holiday fun – from a Christmas sweater spotlight and Christmas Bingo to a Christmas sing-along and more.
“I am hoping to let the residents participating forget about what and who they are missing for a little bit and focus on the enthusiasm of the volunteers to bring the Christmas spirit to live,” said student Kristen Rockey who will be the master of ceremonies for the event. “I hope they are uplifted by the program we have designed just for them.”
Rockey wanted to volunteer because she has seen firsthand how COVID-19 has affected the well-being of the people she supports, especially around the holidays. “These are times that we want to be surrounded by loved ones, instead, people find themselves isolated,” she said. ‘I wanted to contribute to something that benefits those isolated during this time of year, especially those most vulnerable.”
‘This year, there will be none of this’
Rebecca Hedge, Human Resources coordinator, Community Living St. Catharines (CLSC), said that the pandemic has changed so much for the people they support. Since they are considered a congregate living setting under the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, they must follow the same provincial measures as long-term care homes. Community Living staff work to keep the residents as engaged and comfortable as possible but she noted it has been difficult for residents who are currently unable to leave their homes.
“Before the pandemic, they had their routines – visits with families and friends, going out into the community to grocery shop, going to their favourite activity or just meeting with friends for coffee. Unfortunately, they are not able to do these things anymore,” said Hedge.
This is the time of year that CLSC would typically host their holiday dance. Their day program would host a holiday pageant and residents would be going out to parties in the community.
“This year, there will be none of this,” said Hedge.”Having the EA-SNS students create a party virtually will allow the people we support an opportunity to still party and have fun with their friends, but in the safety of their own home.”
‘People come into this program to make a difference in people’s lives’
The idea for the virtual Christmas party was the brainchild of program field placement officer Amie Huisman. She thought of it after hearing many stories from students completing their virtual placements in the sector about how much adults with developmental disabilities who live in a residential care setting have been affected by COVID.
“They have lost community connections, independence and routines have changed drastically. The staff in these homes are working so hard to provide stimulating activities and increased PPE protocols,” said Huisman. “Christmas is a time of lots of social gatherings and parties and many individuals will miss this dearly and may not understand why things have changed.”
Huisman noted that while the students have faced the challenge of remote learning this fall term, she thought the initiative would also be a way to end the term on a high note, by providing joy for the people they support and remind students of what is important.
“Sometimes we become so focused on the end goal that we forget why we are doing it. People come into this program to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “Even something small like this can make a difference. So I put the idea of a virtual Christmas party to our team of faculty and students and, within two days, the students took hold of it, had a plan and were running with it!
For the students, hosting the event also presents a chance to apply their program skills.
“It really takes all the things we have learned like person-directed planning, and adaptive recreation strategies, and gives us an excuse to put them into practice,” said Rockey. “It doesn’t take from one thing, it incorporates it all which, in this industry, we are encouraged to do every day to support our clients effectively.”
First Canadian Christmas experience
For student Jasdeep Bhatti, who will be singing a Christmas song at the virtual party, this will be her first experience of a Canadian Christmas. From India, Bhatti is a trained graduate teacher and who came to Canada specifically to learn to support people with special needs. She is currently working with DSBN as a casual educational assistant where she does just that.
Bhatti volunteered to help host the virtual Christmas party primarily to help make the residents happy. She also wanted to get to know more about people living in Canada and to enhance her experience in the adult sector.
“While living here, I realized that people in Canada believe in bringing happiness to other’s lives. I also have the same feelings in me,” said Bhatti. “Making someone happy is the best deed. This is the reason I decided to be a part of the virtual Christmas party. I am getting a chance to make someone smile. What else can I ask for.”
The opportunity meant so much to her that she will be helping to host the party while she is home for the holidays in India, and at a very significant time in her life. Her wedding is the same day as the virtual party but the fact that she will be in a different time zone will enable her to participate.
“It’s going to be a great day for me,” she said.
EA-SNS program and Community Living
NC’s EA-SNS program has had a longstanding relationship with CLSC. Prior to the pandemic, students would complete placements in group adult homes and the adult day program. With only essential employees and into group homes during COVID-19, the agency’s adult day programs had to close. When the day programs moved to virtual programming during the summer, EA-SNC students assisted with the virtual programs and gained experience through their placements.
Community Living St. Catharines also recruits for paid positions from the EA-SNS program.
“We value the education learned through this program at Niagara College and the real experience the students earn when they complete their placements in our field,” said Hedge. “We have been very successful hiring graduates from this program and many have made a career working at Community Living St. Catharines.”
Community Living St. Catharines has 16 group homes, which house between three and six individuals at each home. The agency services over 1,000 individuals in the St. Catharines, Thorold and Niagara-on-the-Lake area.
