REDI ENABLES INDIVIDUALS TO ATTAIN RESPECT, OPPORTUNITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY
On Monday 27 March 2023, at noon, members of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat congregated at REDI Enterprises Society on Allowance Avenue SE in the Hat.
This being an outing to a well-known and well-respected resource in our community, a few members were accompanied by their spouses.
We were received by Almira Vujovic (Manager, REDIworks), wife of Rotarian Milan, who very ably organized the program for the visit.
In one short hour, we had the privilege of meeting and being addressed by a number of staff members and clients, including Craig Wood (Executive Director), John Steer (Secretary, The Action Group, Medicine Hat), Sean Tiffin (Member of TAG in Brooks), Robin Keenan (Job Developer), and Dalton Ehry (Fund Development Coordinator).
Executive Director Craig Wood summarized the impressive history of REDI, which has steadily grown and evolved over the decades from its pioneering start to the present.
REDI was founded in Medicine Hat in 1952. The growth and development of the services of this organization, from those early days, is truly amazing. What has remained consistent, however, is the openness and the drive of those involved in the organization, to be creative and innovative.
The services of REDI are based on the belief that each person has the right to be respected, to have opportunities to be part of the community, and to have responsibilities as citizens in the community – including opportunities to contribute to community life, and to be valued for efforts in this regard.
Geographically, REDI has expanded over the decades to encompass much of Southern Alberta, including Lethbridge and Brooks.
A few clients and a REDI staff member from Brooks were present, one of whom, Sean Tiffin, illustrated the advocacy work being done by REDI in that city. One example: they have succeeded in getting the name of the Brooks operated bus for People With Disability changed, from HANDY-BUS to ACCESS TRANSIT.
As portrayed in these images, this Monday meeting was held in the cafeteria at REDI (previously a workshop for people with disability), with all sitting comfortably around tables in a bright room, taking in the presentations, and enjoying the refreshments that were kindly provided.
John Steer (Secretary of the The Action Group) explained that TAG is a self-advocacy group, most of the members being REDI Enterprises clients.
TAG members in Medicine Hat meet once a month to discuss goals and make plans to create an impact in the community. One illustration of what they do is to visit schools to talk about TAG and their advocacy efforts and successes.
Unpacking aspects of the history of REDI, Robin Keenan shared how REDI was the brainchild of Ada Williams and Beth Clarke, pioneers in an era that did not support the idea of women or people with disabilities being advocates and entrepreneurs.
From its humble beginning in 1952, located in the Empress Theatre building at that time, REDI is now a registered charity and non-profit organization, with its offices on Allowance Avenue.
It supports upward of 600 people in their quest towards independent living, and has spread its services over the years from Medicine Hat to include the entire southern region of Alberta.
Robin Keenan spoke about the five divisions of REDI:
- Brain Injury Relearning Services (BIRS)
- REDIconnects:
- The Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) Adult Mentorship Program
- Cross Disability Support Services
- Community Access for people in continuing care
- REDIlives: supporting about 75 people 24/7 to live and participate in the community
- REDIworks: assisting people with developmental disabilities to gain meaningful community involvement through employment and volunteerism. With about 60 community partners, REDIworks has created over 100 employment and 60 volunteer positions for 90+ individuals in the past 12 months
- REDIventures
Illustrating REDI’s commitment to innovation, Robin shared how from being the first bottle depot in southern Alberta, REDI now also offers confidential shredding and e-Waste recycling.
In 2000, REDI closed their workshop that had provided piecework employment. The purpose was to support and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the community, through employment and volunteering.
Dalton Ehry (Fund Developer) was the final speaker. He spoke about the “Everyone Can” REDI initiative, a collaborative marketing strategy that is intended to accomplish three things:
- Increase awareness of the REDI brand
- Celebrate and highlight community partners
- Promote inclusion and reduce stigma around disability in communities
The request to partners, including Rotary, is to grow the initiative with REDI, by placing the Everyone Can Initiative marketing material on their online website and social media, and by supporting REDI activities in the city.
Our meeting was concluded with President Nominee Mike Christie thanking the REDI staff and clients, in particular Executive Director Craig and Almira, for the informative, well-organized visit.
