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News Advertiser
August 4, 2021
Ryley’s First-ever FCSS Director Passionate about his Community Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Mickey Wilson is the first-ever Family and Community Services, (FCSS) Director in the Village of Ryley. “I have been working with I have been working with the administration and the transition committee for about six months now and that gave me a glimpse into what the Village of Ryley Council and administration imagined and hoped for the future when they made the decision to embark on their own
municipal FCSS program. I saw their passion and love for this community and that they wanted the best for the residents here and I feel honoured to be entrusted with this amazing opportunity.” This is the third time Mickey has set up residence in the community. I have lived here for six years total now and so I guess I am saying that I love this little Village, enough to keep calling it home! I am passionate about my community. People here are friendly and caring for the most part. And I think that they generally care about the people in our community. At its core, FCSS is about “people helping people” and building our capacity at the local level to provide direct service, programs, social supports and preventative services that will benefit our residents. Even though Mikey hasn’t been in this new position long, he initiated the first-ever Social Needs Assessment that is specific to Ryley. “We need to know what services and supports people are aware of and how they access these services or what barriers prevent access.” Mickey said he plans to develop small advisory committees over the next year that will represent the community sector groups to ensure ongoing input from the community.” He also launched the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program and the LGBTQ Adult Peer Support Group. He is also worked with the McPherson Municipal Library to develop summer day programs for children in the community. There has also been some early conversation on programs that support new residents to the community, added Mickey. “Ryley has had a tremendous number of new people move in over the past year and Covid-19 restrictions have made it difficult for people to get connected so we are considering something to facilitate this important community building process. And of course, there is referral to existing programs throughout the region. There is such a rich diversity of programs and supports throughout the region that people just don’t know are out there.” Plans are in the works to host a Resource Fair and BBQ in the fall for the residents of Ryley. Mikey said there will be a host of
Village of Ryley FCSS Director. (Mickey Wilson/Submitted Photo)
community programs and supports from the surrounding region on hand to share what they have to offer. “We want our community to see the many positives that exist and identify opportunities to create change where it is needed. We want to look at safe and caring community models that focus on belonging. We would like to create an environment where growth is celebrated, wellness pursued, and supports are accessible and life affirming. We want the best opportunities for the residents of Ryley to enliven the FCSS belief that when individuals, families, and communities help themselves, it contributes to a sense of integrity, self-worth, and independence. We want our residents to know that we are better together.”
U7 Soccer Teams Go Towards Good Skills
U7 play some mini soccer games. (Rosanne Fortier/Photos)
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Vegreville Minor Soccer Association U7’s soccer players had a chance to practice their skills on July 5 at RJV Soccer Field. Coach Travis Giebelhaus, said these practice games are just teammates playing against each other. “With the COVID19 situation there wasn’t any games allowed against other towns this year, so we just had our own mini practice games every Monday and Wednesday. The kids gain loads of skills from these mini-games, such as: the basic rules of soccer, dribbling, running with the ball, and maintaining control of it. As well, they practiced passing, kicking, playing goal, team play, sportsmanship, patience, athleticism, friendship, and other skills. Also there is a ton of
running, and stamina involved for their little six and seven-year-old legs so it’s very good to keep them fit and limber. The game on July 5th went extremely well overall; the kids have improved so much in a very short period of time, and they work extremely hard every game, that’s what impresses me most! And above all they’re definitely having lots of fun every practice and every game which is 100 percent the most important thing! Some of the kids have just recently turned five, while others have turned seven already; thus making the range of skills and abilities fairly vast between the kids. But everyone competes very hard, and no one looks out of place at all. I’m extremely proud of all the kids I coached this year. All are just awesome, happy, smiling kids!”
