June 25th, 2025
Rooted in Tradition, Growing with Purpose
By: Katie Hagedorn, Program Manager, Residential Services
The FamilyHome (FH) Program has been one of EAFWR’s anchors since the beginning. It holds a deep, important tradition, and has served as a constant for some, and a springboard to more independent living for others. It is this flexibility, and willingness to learn and grow, that has made the FH program nimble enough to evolve and meet the changing needs of the people we support.
A great example of this is the shift in how we provide respite. Respite is a key part of a successful FH match. This allows both parties time apart to recharge and have new experiences. Historically, respite was always done in someone else’s home. But now, thanks to the expansion of Apartment Respite by the 2RL (Respite, Recreation and Leisure) team, we are actively recruiting folks specifically to provide respite in Airbnb’s for the FH program. This opens up the ability for many new people to provide respite as you don’t need a spare room in your home. Many report this way of doing respite feels more like a vacation!
We are also expanding the way we recruit both FH Providers and Respite Providers. A new initiative, which was spearheaded by EAFWR, is the Shared Living Collective. The premise is that EAFWR is not the only organization in the region providing opportunities for shared living and if we join together, we can have a wider reach in recruitment. We have held two very successful events where many community members have come out to learn more about what each program does, and which might be the right fit for them. Our next event is in November, with many future ideas on the horizon for what the Shared Living Collective will do next. Follow along on Shared Living Collective’s Facebook and Instagram to learn more!
The Supported Independent Living program (SIL), following in FH’s footsteps of growth and creativity, continues to adapt the ways we work in order to meet the needs of those we support. We strive to ensure that each living situation is uniquely tailored for the person being supported.
Just over two years ago we hired our first FH/SIL Facilitator in order to deliver day to day supports in a more flexible and proactive way. This past year, an evaluation of the SIL program was conducted in partnership with a group of learners from Wilfrid Laurier University. The evaluation found that the model was working well, with high levels of satisfaction from both our staff and SIL participants. We now have 2 facilitators, Carol and Kristen, in the program, and are set to hire a 3rd person in May 2025.
Not only have we experienced growth with our SIL Facilitators, this past year we also saw our Team Lead role evolve into a second Program Manager role. This transition broadens our capacity to further develop both FH and SIL while also taking on new responsibilities as we further explore EAFWR’s role in housing, advocacy, and other related initiatives.
Both SIL and FH are rooted in tradition, but aren’t afraid of change. For more than a decade now, we have hosted an annual spring BBQ, and even longer than that, an appreciation Fall Feast dinner. These are two very well attended events, and we have heard over the years that people would like more! Specifically, folks living in SIL have asked for more facilitated points of connection, and in response, we have been doing just that.
We have planned an additional six events this year. Events are about connection and friendship, but also taking into account what people have asked for – opportunities to volunteer, a time to have fun (think beach day!), and ways to give back to the community (park clean up).