The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-12-08, Page 45•
Bernadette Bedard has been attending Brownies through programs such as Guides and Brownies, tests are altered to
the Goderich Recreation Department children's integration meet the child's ability. (staff photo)
program. Program co-ordinator Jane Netzke said that in
GODERICH SIGNAL• STAR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8,1977e --PAGE 21
Leisure buddies....
• from page 20A
buddies are helping the
retarded children become
involved in group activities
they also stressed the im-
portance of a personal
relationship.
"They can relate to the
group activity and they un-
derstand the game"s,"- Karen
said. "But the personal
relationship is also very,
important and in that respect
we have more fun before and
after the games night. To
establish a better relationship
we need the time on our
own."
Both Sherri and Jane
agreed that to help the
retarded person relate to the
group activities it was im-
portant to first establish a
personal relationship. In
Sherri's previous experience
in the program, she worked
with a retarded child on an
individual basis on varied
activities such as sking,
skating or going to the
movies.
The three volunteers also
agreed that one of their major
roles is to motivate the child
to participate and, gain ac-
ceptance on an equal level.
"Although they are en-
thusiastic about the night out
with the leisure buddy and
look forward to the activity
some of the younger ones
need motivation," Sherri
said. "I think if the leisure
buddies weren't there they
would be treated differently.
But we stress to the other
children that the retarded
child should be treated the
same and by doing that we
are also helping the other
kids."
The point the ladies were
trying to emphasize is that
with a little help and en-
couragement the retarded
child or adult can function
within society either on their
own or within a group ac-
tivity.
But the relationship is
reciprocal and Sherri com-
mented that she was also
"helping herself" through the
voluntoer work since it had
taught her many things,
mainly patience. And not
unlike the people they help,
there has to be some
motivation for a volunteer
and that motivation has
surfaced in the sense of ac-
complishment.
"It's really a lot of fun,"
Jane explained. "I feel like I
have accomplished
something."
Sherri and Karen
reiterated those sentiments, a
feeling that's difficult to put
into words and only realized
through sharing and ex-
tending a hand when another
reaches out.
The leisure buddy program
has not survived just on the
strength of three and others
involved in the volunteer
program include Karen
Willis, Diane Mitchelmore,
Robin Campion, Kim Smith
and Sylvia Forbes. They have
retarded adults involved in
weaving, gymnastics,
bowling and other varied
weekly activities.
The funding for the
program will run out in
October 1976 and the town of
Goderich will have to decide
if the money is well spent. If
the town agrees to continue
the project Jane estimates
the budget at approximately
$14,000.
That budget basically in-
cludes Jane's salary and
administration costs since
parents pay for the child's
participation in a program.
And with the success of the
program after the first year
of operation, the parents
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consider the money well
spent.
Jane is optimistic that the
number of retarded children
and adults involved in the
program will grow along with
the number of activities she
hopes to provide.
But the volunteer program,
like any other similar project,
is only as good as the people
who offer their time. But Jane
Netzke knows she has nothing
to worry about.
WELCOME .
SERVICE
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_ Call her at 524-2057
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IX
lub
here were eleven tables in
y when the Goderich
icate Bridge Club met on
ember 29 at the Legion
inners in the east -west
sion of play were: first -
nne Duckworth and Lee
n with 137 1/2 points;
nd• Barry Deathe and
anWeerasooriya with 107
third - John Donatis
John Wood with 105
ts; and fourth- Tina and
Schneiker with 991/2
ts,
inners in the north -south
sion of play were: first
Martin and Leonard
e with 1081/2 points;
nd • Auleen Curry and
se Hetherington with
points; third- Ross and
a Hanna with 104 points;
a tie for fourth - Sandra
Ile and Mary Phillips
Hans Dornbusch and Bill
ille with 101 points.
Leisure buddy Sheri MacLaren (left) enjoys a game of ping
pong with Paul Consitt at games night at St. Mary's School.
Sheri is a volunteer leisure buddy in the integration
program. (staff photo)
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