High Prairie EI Open House and BBQ
High Prairie EI Open House and BBQ
On August 22, 2018 the High Prairie Early Intervention program hosted a community BBQ in High Prairie.
The community was invited to participate in a free BBQ from the High Prairie office of WJS. It was put on to promote the Early Intervention program. Signage was made and distributed, as well as put up out front of the barbeque. During the event, community members were offered a meet and greet with WJS staff. Staff distributed pamphlets and various WJS promotional merchandise such as stress balls and pens. The event was well received by the public and lots of questions about WJS were asked and answered.
From this, the “South Peace News”, a local newspaper came and took photos, and interviewed Sharon Irving-Brown, our Program’s Manager. This allowed WJS to gain valuable media exposure. The article was published on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 in Volume 56, Number 35 on page 10, giving more than half a page of print for the event. The article highlighted a description of the Early Intervention program and provided an address for WJS and contact information.
WJS High Prairie staff and community partners assisted in the preparation of 80 hamburgers and 80 hot dogs, as well as serving watermelon, juice boxes and water. Overall, it was estimated that 120 people were served and introduced to the WJS programming. The cost breakdown was $ 254.00 for food expenses along with the expense of a gazebo tent at $ 88.00 with the total being $ 342.78. This gazebo tent was purchased not only for this event, but for other upcoming community events. Additionally, WJS High Prairie was loaned a tent, barbeque and tables and chairs from community members and partners.
Based on the event, there was much success felt by the team at WJS High Prairie. Not only did we get to meet our clientele face to face in a friendly and fun manner, but we also got to meet some community partners as well such as: Healthy Families from High Prairie and Valleyview, Victim Services, Children’s Resource Council, When We Are Healthy from Grouard, and the Friendship Center. We also had three (3) prior clients and their families stop in to say hi and join in the fun. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate that WJS High Prairie is community focused and here to serve. Team work was the most important factor demonstrated by the staff. The entire team pitched in and helped in one form or another, each donating time and effort to ensure the success of this event.
Some challenges that we faced were the weather, having enough food, having enough food pre-cooked, and anticipating supplies needed. The weather was sunny and warm. However, the wind was something that staff had to contend with and it hampered our ability to lay out some materials. We were able to compensate by moving that materials inside of a gazebo sunscreen tent and had no further issues. Having enough food and enough pre-cooked food was quickly realized as a challenge and a welcomed one. We quickly had Randy, our new director, go to the local grocery store and purchase more hamburgers and buns. This was a welcomed challenge because it meant that we had reached more clients than we had anticipated. Going forward, we are aware of the challenges we faced and will be more prepared for future events.
We would like to register our thanks and appreciation to our new director, Randey Ferster and the team at the High Prairie office for the happy outcome. Also, to Hussein Ossudallah for his contribution is the early planning of this event, our new regional director, Liz John-West, for her encouragement and support, Angela Steele and some staff members from the Slave Lake office who joined in their support later in the day of the event, and importantly, our community members and partners who have assisted us in one way or the other to make this event a success.
Overall, the event generated eight (8) leads. Early Intervention staff followed up with these leads quickly in the coming days. Right away, we were able to setup a consultation with one mother and have since taken her and youth on as clients. Other leads either did not return our phone calls, did not meet the age restrictions of the program, or did not provide proper contact information. We continue to follow up with phone calls with potential leads in an effort to engage their participation in our Early Intervention Program.
The team was especially pleased to have the support of fellow WJS Canada staff from Slave Lake, AB who made the 120km (one way) trip to support them with this event! [ED: What awesome people we have in our WJS Family!]
Submitted by: The High Prairie Staff Team