The Lacombe Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is excited to receive the Community Initiative Program grant valued at $75,000.

Heading forward with this grant, FCSS will be supporting programs already in place and creating some new programs for seniors.

“One of the new ones is our Nav-Care program. It’s basically looking to create a home visitation program. It will probably the one that we’re going to be focusing a lot on at first.  We see a need of people needing extra supports and companionships,” said Carlene Wagner, Seniors Coordinator for Lacombe’s FCSS.

Because of the pandemic, the program may be modified to better accommodate COVID-19 and the safety of seniors.  

“When we begin the program, it might look a little different with phone calls rather than face to face visits. We are hoping to do the face to face as soon as possible and as soon as we are able,” added Wagner.

Additionally, the funding will be aiding in the development of caregiver support groups beginning as early as September.

The COMPASS Caregiver Workshop is designed for those taking care seniors who need a bit of extra help getting through their day. The five to six week workshop will begin on September 3, 2020 in the Rotary Room of the LMC from 1:30PM to 4PM. The cost will be $30 per person. You can register for the program by contacting Denise Hlad at dhlad@lacombefcss.net.

Overall, the funding will be used to improve the quality of life of seniors living in our community.

“It’s very exciting. A lot of these needs have been needed to be seen for a long time and COVID is what has accentuated some of those needs.  It’s nice to be able to have some funding just to kind of dedicate some time and some funds to develop these and then also look forward to our existing supports that are there,” said Wagner.

After an extremely challenging financial year, Lacombe FCSS is extremely grateful for the new funding and looks forward to enhancing their programs and the lives of those in our community.