With the onset of spring and warmer weather, a busy pace continues at the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse.
“We do get busier with our recreational activities because of course the weather is getting nicer,” said Amanda Henderson-Kada, executive director.
“It’s also easier to not only access our centre but also for us to do out-of-town activities, too. We have the 14-passenger van that allows us to do our field trips for example.
“So we are looking forward to that, and are having lots of conversations about things we can do together as a group.”
The clubhouse, described as a community-based living skills program, will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Henderson-Kada said membership has increased over the past few months as well.
Programs are designed for those living with mental health issues or who are recovering from addiction.
In the early years, the organization was run under the umbrella of Alberta Hospital Ponoka. By 2005, it had evolved into a not-for-profit organization.
These days, it’s a busy hub of learning, engaging in employment opportunities around town and taking part in all kinds of social activities.
Programming and services are also open to individuals with mental disabilities and delays.
“Currently, we are also getting ready for the fourth annual Par 3 Extravaganza Golf Tournament,” said Henderson-Kada, adding that the event runs June 7 at the Ponoka Golf Club.
The tournament has supported several organizations over the years, including the clubhouse.
“We were fortunate enough that they reached out to us here at the clubhouse, and we’ve been lucky enough that this is our fourth year doing it as one of the standing organizations,” she explained. “It’s fabulous.”
Henderson-Kada is responsible for the event’s volunteers.
“Last year, we had 82 volunteers to make this one-day event run smoothly,” she said.
“Our community definitely comes together, recognizing that it’s an opportunity to broaden who you are volunteering for, and it’s also a one-and-done,” she said.
As to day-to-day operations, the club also does residential and small business blue box and cardboard pickup, which Henderson-Kada would like to see grow.
“For residential, it’s a weekly pick-up, and it’s $47.25 for three months,” she said, adding it’s a key way to provide a work opportunity to club members.
“It’s been running since 1997 to give people an opportunity for productive employment,” she said.
“And seeing that we are marking our 30th anniversary, we would love to add 30 new blue box customers.”
Hendersen-Kada has been with the clubhouse for nearly 13 years and continues to find her work there extremely fulfilling.
“For me, it’s about the victories that we see take place in the vulnerable population.”
One of those victories is when folks live above and beyond an illness — when they opt to grow in resilience and in their goals to be more involved in the community, she explained.
“It’s about saying, ‘I’m not an illness; I’m not a past addiction — I want to be seen for who I am as an individual.’
“It’s also about people feeling comfortable to come here knowing they are going to be supported in their journey,” she said.
“Those journeys are their journeys — we just get to be the cheerleaders,” she added.
With National Volunteer Week coming up, she also wanted to pay tribute to the folks who help to make clubhouse services operate well.
“We have incredible people who come together; we have a board of directors that volunteers their time every month and with the fundraising that we do,” she said, adding that several church groups also volunteer with the organization, too.
She said clubhouse members themselves are also consistently willing to lend a helping hand where needed.
“The things they do here and take part in — it is them giving back to their clubhouse, which also trickles into our community.
“We have a number who are always willing to assist, participate, make things better, and just grow through that perspective, too.”
For more about volunteering opportunities or the organization in general, head to www.ponokarisingsun.ca or find them on Facebook.