NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Craig Wood, the new executive director for REDI Enterprises, talks with administration assistant Jessa Alocada at the entrance to its premises on Allowance Avenue. REDI, an organization that began in 1952, is always evolving to best meet the needs of its clients.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
An organization established in the 1950s to address members of the community with special needs continues to evolve to meet those needs and has recently appointed a new executive director.
Craig Wood worked at Medicine Hat College and more recently spent four years in Qatar with the University of Calgary. He says it was time to come home and the position at REDI was a good fit.
Wood says he had previously served on REDI’s board for 18 years and had been involved in volunteer work from which he learned a great deal.
“Every human being has the right to respect and inclusion,” said Wood, who notes some may feel unsure about how best to help an individual with special needs. It is as simple as asking if they need help and how you can do so.
Wood says REDI was founded initially to provide a sheltered workshop mainly for those who were dealing with a disability, primarily from the polio epidemic.
He says programs and the organization have adapted to meet the needs of its roughly 400 clients today.
REDI operates two group homes and also works with Medicine Hat social housing and assists those who are able to live in their own homes with the appropriate supports. Some clients have a feeding tube and require staff 24/7 in addition to the services of Home Care and periodic visits from a physician.
“It is a challenging job,” said Wood of the staff, some of whom have been dedicated employees for more than 25 years. “I really admire the people.”
REDI Works has replaced the sheltered workshops program, said Wood. REDI was the first organization in Alberta to move toward community inclusion employment. It works closely with employers in the community who provide employment to REDI’s clients who are supported in their role by REDI staff. The goal is to enable them to function without needing that support, said Wood. Being an employee in a local business has many benefits for its clients. It helps to develop self-esteem, pride and contributes to the identity of the client. They feel productive and that is rewarding, said Wood.
REDI Connects is another program assisting clients who live independently in the community but from time to time may need assistance from REDI staff to integrate socially, handle anxiety issues or mental health challenges, said Wood.
They also address some of the issues for young people whose physical needs may result in them living in a seniors facility. Wood says REDI staff look for opportunities to have them attend and enjoy age-appropriate events such as a rock concert.
BIRS is REDI’s Brain Injury Relearning Services provided in partnership with Alberta Health Services and it now has an office in Lethbridge as well as Medicine Hat. Clients include those who have had a stroke or a brain injury as a result of an accident.
Although REDI operates a recycling bottle depot, none of the staff working there are REDI clients, said Wood. They are all hired from the community and are paid a competitive wage. Wood says the income from this operation supplements the funds REDI needs to operate as an organization.
