The Mansonville Youth Centre - Missisquoi Nord coordinates activities and programs for youth in the municipality of Potton, but it also opens up its space to two community programs: the Ken Jones Centre Respite Program and the CIUSSSE/CHUS Mansonville Day Centre. 

The Ken Jones Centre Respite Program is designed to give families and/or caregivers of an adult living with an intellectual and/or physical disability a day of respite. The program is offered every Thursday and it provides clientele with the opportunity to socialize with one another and to take part in different activities. 

The CIUSSSE/CHUS Mansonville Day Centre also serves adults living with an intellectual and/or physical disability, but the goal of the program is to integrate them in their community by partaking in certain activities and having the chance to connect with other community members. 

The programs are not specifically reserved for Potton residents and there are currently spaces available to welcome others. 

“We are mainly a respite for the families to give them a break. They (the caregivers’ loved ones) come here for the whole day, they have lunch, we do crafts; it’s a very leisurely day. They love bowling so we have indoor bowling that we do. And because they have intellectual difficulties, there’s a pattern to their life. We follow the same pattern every week,” said Sheila Samborsky, coordinating animator for the Ken Jones Centre Respite Program.  

Other activities include games like bingo, story time, birthday celebrations, an annual Christmas party, a summer BBQ, and more.

As of now, there are five people partaking in the program. 

“They’re all friends the five that are here now. We, at one time, had 13 and now we are down to five. When they become progressively worse they end up going to a different kind of centre where they need more care,” explained Samborsky. “I think these five have been together the longest, like practically grown up together because they’re all from this area.”

While the program is open to all Townshippers,’ Samborsky said that the difficulty in getting more people involved in the program lies with the lack of transportation. 

“Our thing is the bus. We have a bus that comes from Magog, but it won’t go to Knowlton. That’s our problem really is getting clients. Magog themselves have their own respite program. Generally, we will take English or French (speakers) of course, but if you’re going to come from Magog it’s because someone is English and they’re having trouble,” she said. 

They are always on the lookout for someone that needs a place to go, added Samborsky. 

The CIUSSSE/CHUS Mansonville Day Centre used to be run by the Dixville Foundation, an organization that supports children and adults living with an intellectual disability and/or and autism spectrum disorder. Due to distance, it has been managed by the Missisquoi North Volunteer Centre since June of last year.

“We do similar things (as the Ken Jones Centre Respite Program), but we are supposed to be integrating them as much as we can in the town and the community,” said Terry Scott, one of the animators for the day centre. “We start our day with a sharing circle, because they come in with lots to tell you, and then we usually do either yoga or we started doing some dancing by following on Youtube. We can do a number of things.”

Most recently, a member from the community visited the day centre to familiarize clients with the different animals that are in the area.

“We participated in the fact that we made a collage from clippings from magazines of the animals in the area. They’re having a show I’m not sure exactly when, it might be March, where this poster will go up and it will have our name on it saying that we did it and participated,” said Scott. 

Scott noted that they try to get outside as much as possible, weather permitting, to go to the park, to go for a walk, to play basketball, and to interact with others. 

“They’re very social. They enjoy seeing people and they’re a great bunch,” said Scott. 

Both Samborsky and Scott encourage others to take advantage of the programs and they also welcome volunteers. 

“There’s room for more and they are a good bunch. It’s very relaxed and happy; it’s a happy place for them to be,” said Scott. 

The Ken Jones Centre Respite Program takes place every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To get in touch, call 450-292-4886 and ask for Sheila. 

The CIUSSSE/CHUS Mansonville Day Centre is open Mondays and Wednesdays. To get in touch, call 450-292-4886 and ask for Terry.

Listen to the full interview below: