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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1992-11-25, Page 51 Times -Advocate, Navellrber 25, 1992 PiglY8 Five years later, Exeter's. Club Huron continues to grow By Ray Lewis TA -f tsiff EXETER - Six years ago when a sheltered workshop operating in the area under the name Semi -Fab was closed, it left many stranded. Fortunately, the London Psychiat- ric Hospital and the ministry recog- nized the problem, and realized something must be done. They approached the executive director of WOTCH in London to get something going as soon as possible. WOTCH stands for Western Ontario Therapeutic Corn- munity Hostel, and for the area people who have come to rely upon it, it is called Club Huron. Club Huron is located in Exeter on Thames Road, behind AIS Communications Limited. It is a psycho -social - rehabilitation pro- gram designed for adults who have disabling or chronic psychiatric conditions. Registered as a non- profit corporation under Ontario's Corporation Act, it is also a regis- tered charitable organization fund- ed by the Ontario Ministries of Health and Housing. Now in its fifth year of operation in Exeter, director Doug Ruhl said community involvement has been tremendous. "Since we've come here, Exeter has been just great," said Ruhl. "The warmth we get from the local business people, the BIA and eve- ryone else is really something." Members who participate in the program are 16 years of age or old- er and have a chronic or disabling psychiatric condition. The mem- bership and attendance at Club Hu- ron is completely voluntary, and WOTCH Club Huron received a boost financially when the Royal Bank donated $500 towards the club's new addition. Shown here are club member Al Cook (!eft), Sandra Reinhardt of the Royal Bank, club member Harry Spice and Doug Ruh!, director of Wotch Club Huron. membership may last as long as the member wishes. All members are entitled to case -management ser- vices (i.e.) advocacy, connecting to other programs and services, etc. The program now contains 82 members, and has continued to steadily increase since day one at- tracting people from the entire area including the outlying regions of Clinton and St. Marys. Originally, the facilities were set to serve 40- 55 people, which has left the club in dire need of a new addition. "There was never really a service in this part of the county before for psychiatric care." said Ruhl. Now they are able to get out and come here two or three days a week." Members of WOTCH work to- gether to pursue and implement strategies that promote the citizen- ship of people with psychiatric dis- abilities. The goal of the program is to assist members to minimize the impact of their illness, and to function as fully and independently as possible in the community. Is is designed to reduce members' de- pendence upon hospitals, promote and teach skills which will enable members to live as independently as possible, to foster a supportive community and to prepare and sup- port members involvement in work. The facility is home to several different functions, such as employ- ment. Many come to the building to handle jobs such as piece work and light assembly, while other em- ployment is found in the communi- ty such as delivering phone books, working in restaurants or conven- ience stores, tree planting, lawn cutting and snow removal. All monies made go directly to the client which Ruhl believes is a much fairer system. The club also provides social rec- reation, and two or three Monday's a month special events are held such as dances or casino nights. "But there just isn't enough room Committee develops Huron Directory CENTRALIA - A sub -committee of the Huron Community Services Network has developed a Huron County Directory of Services and Information. It will include listings of.service.clubs, health care profes- sionals, social services, businesses and -- government representatives (municipalities) serving Huron County. The directory is a follow-up to the original one published in 1986, which was prepared by The Huron County Community Services Council. Anyone who wishes to provide information to be included in the directory may do so by contacting Sandra Scott at Centralia College (519-228-6691 or fax 519-228- 6491) by December 11, 1992. The completed directory will be available for a reasonable fee. Copies should be available by spring 1993 and can be obtained by contacting Centralia College. Drivers' license renewal period extended TORONTO - If you are an Onta- rio driver you'll be making fewer trips to the licence office to renew your driver's licence as a result of a Ministry of Transportation plan to extend the renewal period. "Changing the renewal period is one way we are taking steps to im- prove customer service and make the best use of ministry resources," said Ontario Transportation Minis- ter Gilles Pouliot. Currently, Ontario's six million li- censed drivers must renew their li- cence every three years. The change in the renewal period goes into effect for drivers whose licenc- es expire on or after January 20, 1993. It will take seven years for the change to affect all drivers. The.renewal process will remain the same for most types of licence People with licences to drive trac- tor -trailers, buses, trucks and ambu- lances will still be required to have medical examinations every three Huron CAS receives funding for building OODERICH - .Children and their families in Huron County will ben- efit from improved services thanks to provincial funding of $1.284.00 to the Huron Children's Aid Socie- ty. The capital grant will be used to construct a new building to house the agency - currently in two loca- tions - under one roof. The announcement was made last Tuesday by Ontario's Minister of Community and Social Services Marion Boyd and Huron MPP Paul Klopp. "'Phis funding will help the Soci- ety to improve and continue its good work in the community," said Boyd. "It will enable the organiza- tion to serve the children and fami- lies of Huron County even more effectively." The provincial funding repre- sents 80 percent of the total cost of construction with the Huron Chil- dren's Aid Society responsible for the balance. The province will be providing the funding over two 1 7% 7.28% 8.O ' Rate subject to than Short term rates avaliab'. years; S1.2 million in 1993/94 and $84.000 in 1994/95. "I'm very pleased to announce this funding today," said Klopp. "It will allow the Huron Children's Aid Society to maintain its deep commitment to safeguarding the rights of children and improving the quality 'of - life for families throughout Huron County." The Huron Children's Aid Socie- ty is currently listed at two sites in Goderich; in a warehouse at Cham- pion Road Machinery and in the Suncoast Mall. The new building will be built on a 1/1f2 acre lot ad- jacent to the fire station on MacE- wan Avenue. years. Notification of an upcoming re - The annual fee for a driver's li- newel with the fee will continue to cense remains unchanged at $10 be sent out well in advance of the per year. expiry date of a licence. Capsule Comments with Ernie Miatello You brush your teeth but do you ever brush your tongue? It's a good habit to get into. Tongue -brushing -will-help remove bacteria lodged in the crevasses on the tongue. This results in better oral hy- giene. When instilling ear drops, try pulling the outer ear upwards and toward the back of your head while lying on your side. This will straighten out the ear canal to allow the drops to penetrate more deeply. Also, remain Tying down for five minutes. While North American use of tobacco is dropping, especially in men, the rate of male smokers in Japan is close to an astonishing`70%! At any point In time, 5% of the population has a cold. Women seem to get more colds than men... probably due to their greater contact with their children who bring the viruses home from school. Medications are like apples... they will not keep forever. Clean out that medicine cabinet and get rid of those rotten apples. Check with our pharmacy department if in doubt. - Huron Apothecary, your source of good advice about prescription and non-prescription medications, - E� Huron Apothecary i to E. MIATELLO B. Sc. PHM. "Your Healtr Care Pharmacy" £4A4*4*4 4.4.4.4.4.4*4*4*4*4*4*4*4.4*4*4•.•4•4a4A.44.4•/A4A4A4a4*4*•• •Wast of1�e Park did. and feast CHRISTMAS TREES •4 d Dentiatd Rd. on Cortc.12, s London Township • tan' rutin UWt- • 4 • 4 • 4 • • 4 • 1 • 4 • •• 4 • s •s • 14 • 4 • 4 • 4 • 4 YOUNG'S >4,a iiirt-er • 4(0 ,7 N TIMM la_TM f INIff RrM1 a,s/a, WMw,rlade MIME (111111111110411114 *A NICE DRIVE * EASY TO FIND *SCENIC LOCATION *CONVENIENT ROADWAY PARIUND AMONGST THE TREES *ACRES Of 4.10' SCOTCH PINE 4 SPRUCE, NICELY SHAPED & BUSHY *YOU SkI,ECT PPR*HOT CHOCOLATE OR NOT CIDER r1 A ORE T FAMILY OUTMNO t 1 (Coma Early For Best SSNctlon) t IU( IMAs • 4 • 4 • 4 • 4 4. (l G."fin 4 • 4 • 4 • 4 • s • • s A 4 • • 4 4 • 4 /•1.11/14./•11414144111/1111141411.1•TAI.4•414•4A114.1.4.1.4.4.1.4A4• NEW for 12 -- EVENING SALES LNE POTTED FIR CHRISTMAS TIM ES SEP TO ri I*CEIY SHAPE DMUSHY *PERFECT FOR PORCH OR PATIO DECOR *LIOHTEOLOT EpSOPPlYLASTED QUALITY FRESH CUT YOKES(UP rO121 SCSUGHTED 1015 M11 .t WED SUPPLY OF TALLER an TREES • here any more," said Ruhl. "The group operates a lunch counter eve- ry day which means people have to stop work and move everything out of the way td clear space." The club will require about $18,000 for their new addition, and with government funding way down the club must find the money itself. So far they have raised around 53,700. The group also needs volunteers so if anyone enjoys being with oth- er people, and has an hour or so to spare during the week, call Club Huron at 235-0335. THE WORD'S MOM THIS CHRISTMAS For all the love, laughter and devotion "Thanks Mom" Give her a forever expression of your deepest affection - a mother's ring by 5Tracagr; Set with up to eight radiant birthstones -genuine or synthetic - one stone for each child in the family ORDER NOW FOR CHRISTMAS Choose from the outstanding collection at Bakelaar Jewellers Livolloed We pay all taxes on family rings for month of November 421 Main St. S., Exeter 235.2720. GAJ L_Ij CD sj CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS t Kime, Mil/s, Dun/op. Chartered Accountants Daniel B. Daum, B.A.. M.Acc.. C.A. Manager 412 Main St., P.O. Box 2405 Exeter. Ontario NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 John A.M. Norris CHARTERED ACCOUNTAN I 497 Main Street South, Exeter. Ontario NOM I SI Tel: (519) 235-3240 Fax: (519) 235-3246 AUCTIONEERS FILSON & ROBSON` The Experienced • Auctioneers that Guarantee You More SS Considering A Sale or Need an Appraisal 666-0833 • 666.1967 Call Collect Supplying You with 30 Yrs. 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