Primary support staff working at Community Living continue to make a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disorders.
Suzie Desjarlais is the Manager of Support and Services at Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley and says they’ve had to change the way they provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Desjarlais says they have a focus on safety for staff and those they provide services for.
She adds support staff are the true unsung heroes and have helped keep residents engaged and involved in the community.
Desjarlais says support workers have helped individuals understand restrictions, follow guidelines and come up with creative ways to connect with friends and loved ones.
Desjarlais adds they include a lot of facetime visits, drive-bys, phone calls, virtual events and learning new hobbies.
May is Community Living month and Desjarlais says they have a number of activities planned throughout the month.
The Manager of Support and Services talks about 31-days of inclusion and says they will be highlighting personal stories on Facebook of some of the people they provide services to.