Ruiter Valley Land Trust visits Ken Jones Respite Centre
On Thursday Feb. 22, Isabelle Grégoire (B.SC. Urban Planning, M. Environment and Geography) and sculptor, Danielle Sauvé from Ruiter Valley Land Trust hosted a special craft, the creation of an animal footprint sculpture in clay, with the Ken Jones Respite Centre group. The Ken Jones Centre is a once-aweek respite program of the Missisquoi North Volunteer Centre (CABMN) for persons with intellectual and physical challenges and gives caregivers a break while giving the clients the opportunity to enjoy a day of activities with friends. The group meets at the Youth Centre located at 282 Principale in Mansonville.
The Ruiter Valley Land Trust is a conservation organization located in Potton in the Eastern Townships. It is a non-profit organization (NPO) that works to protect a large territory that is part of the Sutton Mountains range, and that offers trails, activities and training to the population.
As part of an annual “circuit” where the Ruiter Valley Land Trust team organizes activities throughout the village and hosts workshops and information sessions with various groups - based on raising awareness and interest in regards to our local nature and environment; the session with the Ken Jones Centre was just one of the stops in Potton again this year.
“We are always thankful that Isabelle and the Ruiter Valley group include our centre in their annual events,” said CABMN Youth Centre Coordinator, Ethan Ball.
Spending a few hours collaborating with our Ken Jones Centre program participants and animators of the Respite Program, Sheila Samborsky (KJC) and Terry Stott (KJC and Day Centre) as well as Animator of the CIUSSSE-CHUS Day Centre, Karen Tinker, the group talked about local wildlife and made paw prints which the clients could keep: using clay and references of actual taxidermy to correctly copy an animal’s foot print. The two-hour activity provoked interest and enthusiasm for all involved.
Isabelle Gregoire holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and a Master’s degree in Environment from the University of Toronto. She is an educational consultant and trainer in environmental sciences in schools in the Appalachian region of southern Quebec. A tracker since 2004, Isabelle has been collaborating with organizations and educational groups for over fifteen years.
“I had the pleasure of presenting a workshop at the Youth Centre last year,” said Isabelle Gregoire. “I always enjoy collaborating with the animators and offering learning opportunities for the youth and the clients in the programs for the intellectually and physically challenged and hope to offer something at the centre every year,” she added.
For the Ken Jones Centre clients, it was nice to have the activity focused on them and working with the smaller group allowed Isabelle and Danielle the opportunity to mold the activity to the needs of the group.
For more information about the Ruiter Valley Land Trust visit: www.ruitervalley.org
For more information about the Ken Jones Respite group visit: www.cabmn.org