It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a month since my last publication, how time flies in isolation! My recent travels and subsequent isolation and working from home program proved most therapeutic.
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes... including you” - Anne Lamott
If Covid has shown us anything, we as humans, needed to adapt to a new reality of communication.
Luckily, AVENS is set up for this, so I was so fortunate that I was connected in so many other ways.
Over the past month, AVENS enjoyed some incredible milestones, lets look at just a couple of these moments through pictures:
Speaking of Tim Horton’s, look at what rolled into AVENS last week? We want to thank Joey Norwegian (this would be Carol’s brother) for his hard work and dedication in designing and building our very own Tim Horton’s/ice cream/sundaes cart. Rrrrollll Up the cart will take on a whole new meaning at AVENS!
On Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, we said goodbye and well wishes to two of our beloved staff members, Food Services extraordinaire, Herik Gyulumyan and Unit Clerk wizard, Ann- Clair Russell.
AVENS is made up of incredible individuals, who through hard work and dedication, have an uncanny ability to change the world for the seniors we care for. So there was no doubt these two individuals drew a crowd of fellow colleagues to wish them well in their future.
Hugs (as Covid friendly possible), tears and laughs filled our Barb Bromley Administration Wing on this day.
On a personal note, I want to wish both ladies the very best in their next chapters. AVENS was very fortunate to have you on board.
In the spirit of continued staff well wishes, we too would like to say thank you for Amelie Duval’s critical role on our Wellness Team. Amelie will step down from her full time role and stay on as casual.
Again, I want to thank Amelie for her unique and incredible enthusiam she brings to the lives and wellness of our seniors.
We too wish her the very best in her future plans.
With spring right around the corner, so too, is our greenhouse program.
Last year was an incredible first season of AVEN Growing Cooperative (AGCO), we learned so much on how to set up and run a commercial size greenhouse operation.
There were many staff involved with its success, so we encourage those and maybe some new staff to get involved.
Last year alone, AVENS was able to offset over
$20 thousand dollars in food costs related to growing our own fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs.
Back in the day when I used to be a consultant in Health and Safety across the north, I was always taken back on the lack of organizations investing in the health and safety of their employees.
One of the areas of concern was the hidden dangers of poor posture in the work place. Repeated activity over years of incorrect back support or improper key board usage takes its toll later in life.
Carpel Tunnel syndrome is a real and painful reminder that all organizations have to treat erognomics with respect.
ERGONOMICS: is the scientific discipline of fittting a workplace to the user’s needs and to increase efficiency and productivity and reduce discomfort
Therefore, when we realized we had some money left in one of our dedicated funds for training and development, we realized that replacing some of our desk chairs around campus was the proper solution.
On behalf of the great work of the Social Committtee they are launching a 50/50 Summer Fundraiser starting on April 30th, 2021.
One lucky winner will win 50% of the money raised and the other 50% will go to the Social Committee to support our staff events this Summer.
Tickets are available at reception from April 30th- June 30th, 2021
The Grand Prize Draw will be on July 2nd, 2021
I am so impressed with the incredible work of this Social Committee that I am I am buying $200 dollars worth of tickets to get them started! Help out if you can. Thank you.
Together we are stronger! #AVENSstrong
