Tag: Stabilization

News


St.Amant Celebrates the Grand Opening of its New $4 Million Stabilization Unit

April 20, 2023

Noah is happy, healthy, and thriving in the community, thanks to the generous community.

Thanks to enormous local support, St.Amant is now prepared to help people with disabilities in their most trying times.

On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, St.Amant celebrated the grand opening of its newly-renovated stabilization unit for people with disabilities. The grand opening event brought together donors, families, and staff to celebrate this important and anticipated service area. This renovation project marks the largest fundraising campaign for St.Amant Foundation, with a total of $4 Million raised thanks to the generous community.

The stabilization service supports children and adults referred to St.Amant for specific clinical interventions. This could be to support planning and interventions for individuals with an acquired brain injury or for others to develop and implement treatment strategies to reduce challenging behaviours.

Sarah Mankelow, the Director of Health & Transition Services at St.Amant, explained that the new stabilization service would help individuals with disabilities receive the support they need to return to their life in the community and the things they love most. Sarah says, “We dreamed of being available to help people in need. We heard stories of people who hit a bump in their life and needed specialized support from a team of people who know how to help. As an organization with specialized training and knowledge, we wanted to meet that need in our community and support people with disabilities to receive this kind of support.”

After finishing a two-month hospital stay last year, Noah Falk moved in for a temporary stay at St.Amant’s stabilization unit as his health challenges had been causing his behaviour to change. Staff worked towards providing the support he needed to move to a community setting, and he continued his passion for running.

“He has a lot of joy when he runs,” beamed his mom Kalyn. “It is just lovely that this has come back into his life.”

“During Noah’s time here, the staff worked really hard to get him stable again and they truly appreciated him, for who he was. They treated him with respect and dignity,” says Kalyn. While Noah loves to be fast, nothing makes him happier than seeing people cheering him and others on at the finish line. Thanks to the support he received through St.Amant’s Stabilization Service, he recently reached his own goal of living in a group home in the community.

“Now, Noah is stable and thriving in his new forever home. He is happy and healthy! He is back to the guy that we knew was still in there – but needed some help to get out of the crisis situation, ” says Kalyn. As Noah speaks at the grand opening, he says, “Thank you for helping me get better. I started running again. I’m happy now.”

With this intentionally-built space, St.Amant has maximized the number of people they can help and made it a modern, beautiful space. Sarah Mankelow says, “We want every person who receives services here to feel respected and valued, comfortable and safe. This renovation has given us the dignified, functional, and beautiful space we imagined for the community.”

The St.Amant Foundation’s Executive Director, Juliette Mucha, thanked the donors for their generosity, which totalled $4 million. She says, “Thanks to the generous community, families have access to skilled and respectful service from professionals who understand disability and the unique needs that may arise. Your kindness is a testament to your unwavering commitment to our mission and the importance of quality support for people with disabilities.”

The renovated Stabilization Unit is made possible by our generous community. Recognition to: The Winnipeg Foundation, Qualico, In memory of Morley Blankstein, Wawanesa Insurance, Bockstael Construction, St. Boniface-St. Vital Kiwanis, Terracon Development, Ed & Margaret Guertin & Family, Charles & Christiane LaFlèche, Valerie Thompson & Family, Andison Family Foundation, and Allan & Simone Penner.

News


When Bricks and Mortar Save Lives

April 28, 2022

No one should have to live with the fear that they can’t keep their family member safe. And thanks to you, a $4 Million Stabilization Unit renovation will mean more families will have the help they need.

“Our family was in crisis – (my son) Trey was out of control. After months of chaos and many 911 calls, Trey was finally admitted to the Stabilization Unit at St.Amant. At last, Trey was safe, and our family had peace of mind. I don’t know what we would have done without the support St.Amant has provided,” expressed Trey’s mom, Tracey.

The Stabilization Service has successfully helped families but the space was never meant to have people experiencing challenging or risky behaviour. The antiquated design severely limited our capacity to assist people in crisis.

With your help, the renovation is well underway and families are closer to being stress-free. This means more people in critical need will get the temporary care they deserve. Thanks to the additional space, people receiving services can experience living in a less restricted area before moving back home.

TreySwinging

St.Amant consulted with other agencies across North America to design a unique place that gives people room to be independent. It also allows staff to monitor and support people 24/7.

The new unit will be brighter, with larger windows that allow more natural light and look out onto the Buhler Gardens. Some enhancements include roomier spaces to move around, like a bathroom with a larger accessible shower, and areas that can accommodate more comfortable seating.

News


St.Amant Foundation Chosen as Jenna Rae Cakes’ Community Initiative of the Month

February 1, 2022

Jenna Rae Cakes has chosen St.Amant Foundation as their Community Initiative of the Month for February! 

St.Amant Foundation Chosen as Jenna Rae Cakes' Community Initiative of the Month

What does this mean? A portion of all cupcake sales throughout the month of February will be donated to St.Amant Foundation.
What can you do?  Spread the word to friends and family, purchase, and enjoy delicious cupcakes knowing you are making a difference.
Purchase your cupcakes or pre-order, seven days a week, by visiting one of JRC’s shops (Academy Road, Island Lakes or The Forks) or ordering through SkipTheDishes. You can also pre-order for Valentine’s Day Weekend by Tuesday, February 8. 
Flavours change every day, you can check out their menu here: www.jennaraecakes.com 
Funds raised support virtual recreation activities for those we support, hosted by Volunteer Services.

Jenna Rae Cakes'

News


Stabilization keeps families together

November 16, 2021

St.Amant Foundation is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a $4 million capital project that is years in the making. The St.Amant Stabilization Service is the only short-term stabilization for people with developmental disabilities in the Province. With the substantial renovation St.Amant will be able to reach more families in crisis in need of skilled and compassionate support.
Tracey’s son Trey is currently supported by St.Amant’s Stabilization Service, she says, “I don’t know what we would have done without this support. I am sure Trey wouldn’t have survived.”
St.Amant’s Stabilization Unit will help families who are at immediate risk and near total family breakdown. The Stabilization Unit encompasses 10,500 square feet of the Health & Transition Services program, just one of the many services based out of the 440 River Road location, which also hosts the administrative offices, pre-school and school aged classrooms and clinical space for services offered by St.Amant.
John Leggat, St.Amant CEO says, “There are times in everyone’s life when we need some additional support. This is a short-term service and the goal is to support people to return to their family home or another supportive home.”
This $4 Million project is 100% funded by the generosity of our community.
“St.Amant identified this need years ago and today, thanks to the generous support of our community, the massive renovation can begin,” said Juliette Mucha, Director of St.Amant Foundation. “Now we’re just months away from safer and more dignified services.”
“Our purpose as a mutual insurance company is to look after one another, and supporting the communities where we live and work is core to who we are,” said Wawanesa’s Vice President of Culture, Community and Communications, Selena Hinds.  “St.Amant provides vital services in Manitoba and we’re honoured to support this critical project that will help families in the community when they need it most.”
St.Amant Foundation is a not-for-profit organization and raises funds for services, equipment, and capital projects to support children and adults with developmental disabilities and autism in Manitoba. The Foundation has raised over $25 million to help people with developmental disabilities and autism reach their full potential.
Visit the St.Amant Stabilization Unit campaign page at www.stamant.ca/foundation/families.

News


St.Amant’s $4 Million Stabilization Unit Campaign

Crisis and Gratitude

October 27, 2020

Mothers Share Stories of Crisis and Gratitude

Dear friend,

Imagine being a parent and living with the knowledge that you cannot keep your child safe. The constant worry, the sleepless nights. The anxiety of always being on alert.

Your gift today will provide a refuge for a family in crisis and lift a huge weight off the shoulders of those that need it most.

With a voice thick with emotion, Kim, Ben’s mother, speaks about the difference the stabilization unit at St.Amant made for her family. Her son Ben was hurting himself and, at 24, found himself hospitalized with self-inflicted bleeding around his brain. This injury led to a hospital stay that lasted more than nine months.

This extraordinary length of stay was not medically-needed, but rather caused by a lack of alternative living space that could ensure his safety.

She remembers: “I reached out to everyone. I turned over every stone.” This search eventually led her to St.Amant and she is so grateful. “I never thought I would ever have a peaceful night’s sleep, but the support we now receive has given me such peace of mind.”

Crisis and Gratitude

The stress of being on the edge of a crisis situation takes its toll; on body, mind and soul. Adding to this heavy burden is the lack of support for families that find themselves at this tipping point. Your donation today will provide a family with the help they need.

Our community has come to rely on St.Amant to offer a stabilization service that pulls in all the specialists who have extensive experience supporting people with developmental disabilities in challenging situations.

One of the keys to success in stabilization is a safe and dignified environment. The current space has been cobbled together out of necessity without the much-needed redevelopment. Your gift can help make this happen.

Trey Swimming

Mom Tracey also speaks about the peace of mind that came once her son Trey was admitted to the stabilization unit after months of failed alternatives.

She recalls the 911 calls she had to make, the terror of not knowing where he was when he would bolt, and the constant sense of unease that hung over the family. Even when things were calm, no one could predict when things would get out of control again.

“He’s thriving now.” Tracey says with a smile. “He has a routine, he participates in activities. I don’t know what we would have done without this support. I am sure he wouldn’t have survived.”

The renovations required to provide safe, comfortable, quality care were slated to begin this fall, but the COVID-19 pandemic shifted funding elsewhere. The cancellation of several fundraising events has also led to budget shortfalls. Your generosity today will provide the funds needed.

Trey and tracy

Without this service, the people that need this support often wind up in emergency rooms or jails and police lock ups and their families remain in crisis.

It is an ambitious project, and I am counting on your generosity. These families deserve the support and our entire community will benefit when they receive it. 

You can help ensure that families aren’t left alone and afraid. Your gift today will provide a safe space for a family to access the stabilization support needed so their loved one can return home.

Donate now and support this worthy project.

With my gratitude,

Juliette Mucha
Director

P.S. Please give today and help a family in crisis. CLICK HERE to donate.