By Sam Donnelly
For the Bashaw Star
Bashaw and Area Community Resource Centre (CRC), formerly known as Bashaw and District Support Services (BDSS), has changed its approach in providing services to the community.
Jackie Northey, CRC executive director for adult learning, said that previously the services were separate. The new approach allows workers from any of the different services at Bashaw CRC to make connections to other services and opportunities within the organization.
“The community doesn’t care what the service name is they care about getting support when you need it,” said Northey.
The new name of Bashaw CRC better exemplifies the interconnected approach between the programs and services. Currently, Bashaw CRC has a number of programs and services:
BDSS runs many programs around Bashaw including, but not limited to, Family Wellness, Meals on Wheels and District Preschool. Bashaw Adult Learning offers assistance to adults looking to further their education, improve literacy and pursue their careers.
The Community Wellness team provides one-on-one support for those in need of support navigating the public systems around Bashaw.
The foodbank is available with a number of programs to provide food to the hungry of Bashaw. Food hampers can be picked up at the CRC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Bashaw Bus Society offers bus service to Bashaw citizens with reduced mobility. Usually, there is a Bashaw bus on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and a Camrose bus on Thursdays.
The Healthy Families Program helps families either expecting a child or having a child three and under in providing a functional, happy and safe home.
The Camrose Resource Centre comes to Bashaw every Tuesday and provides its own services, one of which is the Triple P parenting program.
On Mondays, Alberta Health Services is in Bashaw CRC’s building to provide mental health appointments from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments can be either walk-in or over the phone.
According to Northey, Bashaw CRC would like to develop a financial empowerment program as well as a program dedicated to helping people get some social interaction.
Northey said that the pandemic has caused this to become a real problem.
When asked about problems Bashaw CRC has faced Northey said that financial services are going to see a lot of people. She said that with the rising cost of food and utilities people will have to seek help.
Northey mentioned the people of Bashaw have been great at supporting both Bashaw CRC and Bashaw’s less fortunate. A full list of programs and services can be found on the Bashaw CRC website.