BRSI workers were highlighted this week for their efforts to assist people with disabilities over the past three years. (Submitted photos/BRSI)
Important efforts

BRSI celebrates staff with Superhero Day

May 27, 2022 | 2:00 PM

This past week, Battlefords Residential Services Inc. (BRSI) highlighted the daily efforts of staff.

May 23–27 was declared Disability Service Professionals week by the province to celebrate the important work that people across the province do to provide support to people with disabilities. There are more than 80 direct support workers in the Battlefords through BRSI assisting individuals every day.

Trudy Kern, executive director for the non-profit, said each day this week had a different theme. Staff and residents wore matching outfits, starting with Twin/Triplet Day on Tuesday, PJ Day on Wednesday, Sports Day on Thursday and ended with staff getting shirts recognizing them as superheroes on Friday’s Superhero Day.

“After surviving COVID-19 and facing so many challenges, that’s really how we see them,” she said. “So it was important to recognize them this week.”

BRSI provides residential and support services to 45 individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities through the operation of six group homes, as well as a supportive living program and a day program called BRIDGE.

Kern said the last three years have been challenging with COVID-19, being in lockdown for an extended period and having limited community involvement. However, she said their direct support workers faced these challenges head on, both in adhering to PPE protocols and lifting people’s spirits.

“It’s amazing how everyone came together and thrived,” she said.

Kern said it’s exciting to head into the summer with less restrictive measures in place, though there’s no significant events coming up for BRSI. The non-profit’s strategic planning meeting coming up in the fall will discuss where they go for several years.

“We have an annual garage sale today, but we don’t currently have any major campaigns that we’ve been working on,” Kern said.

To find out more about the programs and services offered by Battlefords Residential Services Inc., please contact the main office and check out their website and Facebook page.

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

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