8 minute read
We are Skills Society
WHO WE SERVE
We are one of the largest disability service organizations in the Edmonton area. For 40 years we have provided individualized support services to people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the communities in which they live. Our work is complex but our goal is simple: help people with disabilities live safe, dignified and meaningful lives.
Our organization was started in the 1980s by parents who wanted more for their sons and daughters - to reduce their sense of isolation by removing them from “institutions” and placing them back into the arms of society. Today, we remain connected to those roots by keeping our services person-centred and focused on the unique needs of every individual. In doing so, we reduce their isolation and improve their mental health, reduce their healthcare and justice costs, and help them set and achieve personal goals they (and their families) never thought possible.
We provide support services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, survivors of brain injuries, and their families. Support varies depending on the level of need and qualifications for government funding. For some, we may provide a few hours of outreach support each week. For others, it involves 24/7 supported community living. We also work with those who are defined by PDD as having complex service needs.
50 children 30 people
who are brain injury survivors
375 people served by Skills Society
102 people
with complex behavioural needs
PDD Funded Residential Community Living
PDD Funded Supported Independent Living Decision making and advocacy
159 people funded 47 with complex needs
295 people
with developmental disabilities (PDD)
136 people funded 55 with complex needs
66 people
with complex medical needs
175 people have family to help 120 do not
VISION
A community where all individuals are valued citizens deserving respect, dignity and rights.
MISSION
We support individuals with disabilities and their families in their right to learn and grow in the community. Our services strengthen belonging and encourage and support individual choice and opportunity.
CITIZENSHIP IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO
For many of us, citizenship is something we take for granted. It can be defined in many ways, but at its core citizenship is our sense of value and belonging. This sense of citizenship doesn’t always extend to people with disabilities. That’s why Skills Society was formed - to provide people with disabilities with the same opportunities and choices, the same ability to share their gifts and talents, and the same sense of belonging that we all enjoy. Citizenship is what we strive for every day - and it encompasses the following:
Relationships Surrounded by people who love and care for them, sharing their lives with others
Rights Equal access to opportunities, freedom to choose, independence
CITIZENSHIP
Participation
Meaningful things to do and places to go, the opportunity to share gifts and talents with others
Belonging
Feeling valued, respected, and an important part of society
OUR CORE VALUES
PRACTICE IN PERSON-CENTRED WAYS SEEK CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS
We never forget to keep the voices of those we serve at the centre of our planning and practices. By working with others, we build a stronger community of neighbours, leaders and advocates.
Why it Matters
In the past, people with disabilities were left out of important conversations that affected their lives. We believe that our planning, policies, procedures, and pathways are more effective when they are informed by and responsive to the needs of the people whose lives they impact.
Why it Matters
We believe that real social change comes from collective effort. By sharing resources and working closely with other like-minded organizations, we raise the voice of the disability community and take a leading role in building more inclusive communities.
EMBRACE COMPLEXITY ADAPT & EVOLVE
We know that supporting people’s citizenship is complex. Through creativity, determination and collaboration we can tackle any challenge.
Why it Matters
Helping people with disabilities live fulfilling lives is not an easy, straightforward road. It is complex work - from the needs of the people we serve to the interconnected policies that shape their world. Rather than shy away from these challenges, we meet them head-on with creativity, determination and collective effort.
We build our supports to adapt to the unique needs of each person. At the same time, we strive to shift our services and priorities to meet changing times.
Why it Matters
Life is full of change. We know that if our strategies and systems are too rigid and static, we risk our services becoming less useful or relevant. Instead, we are stronger when we are more agile in responding to changing contexts and uncertain times.
BUILD AND SHARE KNOWLEDGE
In order to continually improve the support we provide, we’re not afraid to learn from others and try new ideas.
Why it Matters
In order to become better problem solvers, we work hard to learn through our actions and study excellence in others. We are committed to trying new ideas, seeking input on our work, and building a learning organization each and every day. As many of you know, Action Lab is a social enterprise of Skills Society. Profits from renting the space and stewarding various social innovation explorations come back to support our work at Skills Society. Action Lab continues to grow and evolve in its offerings. This year we are excited to share that we’ve launched a new Action Lab website that shares a bit about Action Lab and the important work we’ve been a part of stewarding. One of the projects featured is our recent Future of Home: Inclusive Housing Solutions Lab that co-created with people with disabilities, funders, developers, and service providers; inclusive, accessible, and affordable housing and support models for people with disabilities. Check it out!
ACTION LAB UPDATE
actionlab.ca @actionlabYEG
We build each of our services to help people with disabilities thrive in five pillars of everyday life.
Supporting the Citizenship of People with Disabilities
What this looks like:
• Making a house feel like a home • Building and strengthening connections with roommates, neighbours, friends and family • Establishing healthy and meaningful routines together • Completing day-to-day tasks like budgeting and grocery shopping
What this looks like:
• Making and sustaining friendships along with healthy, romantic relationships • Establishing social networks with friends, neighbors and colleagues • Nurturing family relationships
What this looks like:
• Finding and maintaining paid employment • Developing new skills through volunteering • Pursuing education or jobrelated training
What this looks like:
• Setting and attending medical appointments • Establishing healthy eating habits and exercise routines • Assisting with personal hygiene • Supporting medication management • Supporting mental and emotional wellbeing
What this looks like:
• Participating in neighbourhood activities • Sharing talents with the community • Discovering fun and meaningful things to do
WEAVING IT TOGETHER, A JOURNEY METAPHOR
There is quite a bit of detail in our vision, mission, and values and a metaphor might help with remembering the purpose of each element, and how it contributes to our core purpose of supporting people with disabilities to lead good lives - lives that are vibrant, filled with opportunities for learning and doing, rich with relationships, and anchored in a sense of belonging.
Imagine we’re on a metaphorical journey alongside people with disabilities and families we serve.
Our Vision is the destination we want to reach together.
Our Mission is like a boat we’ve built to get us to our destination.
Our Values and Thrive in Five approach are what each crew member on the ship needs to know and practice in order to be able to lead, set the sails properly and keep everyone on course towards our destination.
OUR VISION
VALUES + THRIVE IN FIVE
OUR MISSION
It takes everyone working together with Vision, Mission, Values and Thrive in Five approach to help us reach our destination.
You might wonder with this metaphorical ship, “Who is the captain?” or “Who decides who does what on the ship?”. On this ship, everyone is a servant leader and able to step in to help where required. People we serve and families are often guiding the wheel of the ship and sometimes they need others to step in and help keep the ship moving. We can switch in and out of these roles because ideally each crew member is grounded in the values and Thrive in Five approach that enables continued progress even when we face tough waters.
Throughout the journey we all need to be checking in - check the various navigation instruments and compass - and ask ourselves “Are we on course?” or even, “Is there a scenic detour showing up that we want to take that will add some richness to the journey?”. As leaders on this journey alongside people with disabilities we serve, we need to be continuously reflecting and thinking about when we need to step in to lead more, or when we need to step back and let others lead. This supports us in understanding our responsibility to ourselves and others, raising ethical questions, and taking actions to help Skills with living our shared values.
