Stratford Rotary Club Links

Following is an report from nancy Farr re the activities of the Rotary Respite Home.

The Rotary Respite House

The Rotary Respite House provides short term respite to families who live in Perth County and are caring for a child (0-18) who has a severe developmental, physical or mental health needs. This opportunity is meant to help to recharge caregiver's batteries while at the same time giving the child a fun sleepover experience with other children. The responses for children and parents have been so positive.
On the evening of June 13th an appreciation BBQ was held at Rotary Respite House. This event was an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the unique contributions of staff, board members of Family Services Perth-Huron and the Respite Committee of the Stratford Rotary Club. As a result of the extraordinary vision and hard work of each of these important contributors, Rotary Respite House continues to grow to meet the needs of families in Perth County.
Over the past year we served 59 special needs children, an increase of 18 children from the previous year. The home was open for 46 weekends, 50 days over summer, Christmas and March Break and 3 Professional Development days. In January 2007, we embarked on a new respite option at Rotary Respite House that the kids refer to as "Wednesday Movie Nights". Up to 3 children would arrive at the home after school on Wednesday and return to school the following morning via their regular bus transportation provided through the Avon-Maitland Board of Education. Family response to this option during the week was positive. We hope to offer Wednesday Movie Nights again in the Fall of 2007.
A collaboration between Family Services Perth-Huron, Stratford Rotary Club, the Retired Teacher's Association and Northwestern Secondary School will soon be visible on the front yard of Rotary Respite House. Horticultural students from Northwestern Secondary School are busy digging and planting a "Rainbow" garden. The garden, which should be completed soon, will surround a sign identifying Rotary Respite House. Special thanks to Ms. Heidi Wilhelm, a graduate of NWSS, who designed the unique garden design.
If you would like more information about Rotary Respite House, or other respite options, contact Nancy Farr, Respite Coordinator at Family Services Perth-Huron (519) 273-1020 or Rotary Respite House, (519) 275-3647.

Submitted by Nancy Farr, Respite Care Coordinator

The Rotary Club of Stratford

Rotary Respite House
January 9, 2004
The Rotary Club of Stratford, in partnership with Family Services Perth/Huron, is pleased to announce that the Rotary Respite House will be open for children beginning January 16th.
The house at 35 McManus Road, purchased and extensively renovated by Rotary to accommodate children with significant medical problems, has been physically ready for occupants for several weeks. Now that all licensing requirements have been fulfilled, the Ministry of Community and Social Services has granted the requisite license, and children with developmental handicaps, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and other serious conditions can be admitted for respite care.
“ I’m delighted that the House will open soon. It took a little longer than we’d thought, but we’re grateful for the numerous inspections. The Ministry has been careful to ensure that the facility meets the highest standards,” said Rotary committee chairman Malcolm Gordon.
Family Services personnel, who are responsible for the operation and staffing of the home, explained that the first weekend visit by children will be “a trial run” to test the many policies and procedures they have developed. They want to ensure that children have a secure home away from home while their parents take a well-deserved break from the demands of 24/7 care. Approximately 144 children in Perth County, half of those from Stratford, will be eligible to stay there.
Patrick Flynn, executive director of Family Services Perth/Huron, called the opening a “terrific accomplishment, after all the work that has gone into it. Our compliance with all the requirements will mean good, safe service for the families involved.”
Rotary President Tony Carter announced the news to the members of the Club at their weekly lunch meeting on Thursday. “It was an absolute joy to report that the House will be open for the children,” he said. “Finally all our efforts have paid off, and the dream has become reality. Even all the stages of construction mean very little until someone is actually using the house.”
“I want to thank the numerous members of the community who were so generous in helping us with this project, and I’d also like to acknowledge John Wilkinson, MPP, who made it a priority to assist us in those busy days just after he was elected,” added Mr. Gordon.
Local businesses, individuals, corporations, and the four other Rotary clubs in Perth County have donated over $90,000 to the project so far, as well as several substantial gifts-in-kind. The general public has supported the project through such Rotary fundraisers as the Dragon Boat Festival, Arts and Crafts Show, Country Auction, and others.
The official opening of the Rotary Respite House will take place at a later date, probably in six or seven weeks. The needs of the children will take priority in the scheduling of the event.
For further information, contact
Patrick Flynn, Family Services Perth-Huron (519) 273-1020

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