Recipient of the 2016 COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

SEIZURE & BRAIN INJURY CENTRE

Nominated For: 2016 COMMUNITY BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

As a small isolated northern Ontario community (population 45,000) we have struggled since 1988 (28 years) to bring much needed services to our community of Timmins and the two districts of Cochrane and Temiskaming. We provide programs and services to an area the size of the province of Newfoundland.

What has kept us going has been the positive outcomes that we have been able to provide to our clients. To see a client who has been living in isolation, suffering from depression and lack of motivation become an active part of our agency is why we are here.

Currently we offer day programming to over 36 clients that operates Monday to Friday with minimum two activities per day such as computers, arts & crafts, walking, bowling, coffee & games, scrapbooking, yoga, two men’s support groups and a support group within a long term facility. In addition we have other activities such as gardening, mini-putting, paddle boating, movie nights, camping and other excursions dependent upon the season and weather. The Centre has been part of the Peer Mentoring Program since its exception and allows us to offer a much needed service to our rural clients. Brain Basics has been offered every two years and one of the most gratifying part of the program is the success of the clients who participate feel when they obtain their certificate. Brain Basics has given the clients an opportunity to understand themselves better and in return several have participated in the Peer Mentoring Program. In addition we participate in a number of bike rodeos (over 1,000 children attend), educational forums and health fairs, and publish a bi-monthly newsletter. In 2015 we received over 523 calls for information and referrals, created in-house an updated website.

The Centre offers all of these programs and services with only 2.1 staff the Executive Director who comes with a business background, a Client Program Coordinator who is a registered social worker and part time worker who is a survivor studying to be a social service worker. To compliment the staffing contract employees are often hired through various funding grants. The board of 8 community volunteers encourages staff to continually develop their skills through ongoing workshops and courses.

We could not do all of what we do if it wasn’t for our community partners and volunteers. We have been very fortunate to have forged a number of ongoing partnerships such as our local police and OPP for annual bike rodeos, Timmins Home Building and O’Gorman Secondary School for our annual Fish Hut Raffle, Timmins & District Hospital for neurological clinics plus we cannot forget our area health units, Children’s Treatment Centre, Timmins Minor Hockey Association, Timmins Square Shopping Centre and many more community supporters. One of our most important community event is our Colour It Up Run/Walk that brings together over 300 participants to give our agency much needed awareness and funds. It has now become one of the premier summer events in our community.

Finally, “My daughter receive a brain injury in a car accident. She received years of treatment and encouragement from professionals, family and friends. Seizure & Brain Injury offers a wide variety of programs with caring workers to aid clients and their families. I became a volunteer as I wanted to help others who are in need.” Gwen Hart

“Thank you to the Seizure & Brain Injury Centre for all the extra assistance given to my sister-in-law Tracy and thus my family. You have gone well beyond the call of duty with your patience and understanding of Tracy and are owed many, many thanks” Kerri-Anne Wilkins

“Presentations to our summer recreation program have been most valuable. Proper training of our staff is essential to the safety of our children and success of our program” Chantal Maltais, Extend-a-family