Business View Magazine - September 2015

114 Business View - September 2015 Business View - September 2015 115 zation and its culture and policies. The community of wisdom and knowledge that has grown from the Eden Alternative is supported by much research, including evidence-based practice, and it fits with the organiza- tion’s corporate mission and culture. “We’ve informally incorporated many of the principles and philosophies of that program in our home and community. For ex- ample, we use a self-scheduling model, so staff is able to change shifts in their schedules – even last minute. “We believe a culture of flexibility and choice between management and staff will result in a culture of flex- ibility and choice between tenants and staff. We honor staff’s work/life balance and have seen this translate, over and over again, into staff honoring the tenants’ life balance, preferences, and choices. So, for exam- ple, if a tenant doesn’t want a bath, or to wake up for breakfast, or doesn’t like what we are having for lunch, we honor that. We also keep staff working in the same areas; we don’t move them around, so that we do not sever ties and the comfort that comes from close and continuous relationships. In practical terms, there- fore, the tenant rarely experiences the discomfort of new people bathing them and greatly reduces the need for tenants to have to introduce or explain their preferences, needs or values.” In terms of future expansion, Devlin realizes that the future of non-profit housing will require economic di- versification. “We know that there will be less public funding and this will require a greater reliance on di- versifying our revenue base. We are exploring many options to ensure the resiliency and sustainability of our affordable housing programs well into the future. One current business model we are developing is a private seniors’ assistance and care service. We are in the very early stages of exploration and planning the new venture and our excitement continues to build as we realize the potential for this business to create many advantages for us and the clients we serve. As a for-profit venture, it has the potential to raise rev- enues and add value to our client base. “We are also in the discussion stages of building a new personal care home. Taking such a step fits with our philoso- phy and practice of supporting tenants to remain in their existing communities (aging in place). We will continue to expand our intergenerational programs, as well. Currently we have a number of programs oper- ating within our building that bring youth and seniors together, breaking the barriers of ageism, and impart- ing knowledge and the gained wisdom that come with time, along with the new skills and opportunities that come with new technologies.” For the present, though, Devlin strikes a consistent note about her institution’s ongoing mission: “We serve people; we serve a life well-lived for our tenants and we serve hope,” she states. “And much of our heart and soul goes into turning that purpose into ac- tion and to creating a true home and community for our seniors; one that is affordable, diverse, collabora- tive, innovative and compassionate.” PREFERRED VENDORS Tache Pharmacy - Tache Pharmacy has been providing effective pharmaceutical care, consultative services, and pharmacy medication distributive services to peo- ple living in community-based and institutional care settings throughout the City of Winnipeg since 1974. Included among its client group are personal care homes, disease specific care homes, palliative care units, group and residential facilities, hospital wards, assisted and non-assisted living units, and emergency shelters. In addition to its pharmacy services, Tache Pharmacy also provides testing and nutritional servic- es, and medical supplies. www.tachepharmacy.com PDF Mechanical & Electrical - At PDF Mechanical & Electrical, we do residential, commercial and industrial work, ranging from changing receptacles, to bathtubs, to boiler and heating systems. Our goal is to create long-term relationships with our clients and provide them with 100 percent satisfaction all the time and every time. We work closely with our clients on their proposals and provide them with different options and cost-saving solutions. - pdfme@mymts.net Renovations Plus - www.renoplus.biz Healthcare Healthcare Lions International President Yamada with District Governor Gerald Fontaine- International Convention in Honolulu Hawaii- July 1st 2015