Area agencies collaborate on wellness project
By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A coalition of five local agencies are working together to provide better support services for members of the community.
The Strathmore Wheatland Wellness Resource Project will help residents of Strathmore and Wheatland County come to one place to access resources. It is composed of the Golden Hills School Division, Growing Family Society, Strathmore FCSS, Wheatland County Counselling and Wheatland FCSS.
“It’s a great partnership of not-for-profits coming together,” said May Rostecki-Budzey, executive director of the Growing Families Society.
The provincial government announced the provision of grant funding of $100,000 to Wheatland County Counselling and $85,460 to the Growing Families Society on Feb. 11.
Wheatland County Counselling is providing service delivery of the navigation phone lines, helping direct people to the proper channels for whatever they need, explained Rostecki-Budzey. If a crisis does arise, the caller can be redirected to one of the therapists there.
Each member organization also collaborates to determine what resources are needed in the community, both in Strathmore and among rural communities in Wheatland County, explained Brittany Olsen, Wheatland County Counselling office manager.
“We’ve able to identify needs for residents, from counselling to nutrition support and financial support,” said Olsen.
The project is in its infancy, so it provides information only and does not perform case management. Other organizations may connect their services through the project as well, she said.
“We’ve been able to help a dozen people so far, and we’re just wishing to still continue to help,” she said.
Residents can access the project online at swwellness.ca or by phone 403-962-0167, email resources@swwellness.ca and through its Facebook page. Providing access to many programs from a single point and contact makes getting support easier and less time consuming for residents, explained Olsen.
“Instead of them being frustrated with Google searching, finding what resources are available to them and clicking a bunch of links, we’ve provided a one-stop shop resource providing them the information they need.”