SIRCH Community Services

an unwavering belief in people and possibilities

an unwavering belief in people and possibilities

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Celebrate SIRCH Community Services’ 30th Anniversary

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SIRCH Community Services exists to identify gaps in health and social services in Haliburton County, and then implement initiatives and programs that help to address those gaps.

“SIRCH has a rich history of offering programs, providing training opportunities, and operating social enterprises to address issues of poverty, social development, isolation, food insecurity, and job training,” said SIRCH board president, Barbara Fawcett. “SIRCH was originally founded in 1989. And now in 2019, we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary! Over those 30 years, our programs and services have grown and evolved to meet changing needs. Its truly remarkable to see the deep and profound impact SIRCH has had on the community.”

SIRCH is hosting a 30th Anniversary Celebration event on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at the Community Room in the Haliburton Community Funeral Home, 13523 Hwy 118, Haliburton. Drop in any time between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Formal presentations will take place starting at 6 p.m. Mike Jaycock will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Visit with people who have been involved over the years in various programs, services, and volunteer activities. See a visual history of the organization’s impact. Share stories and reflections over a coffee or glass of wine. Everyone welcome.

You can RSVP for this free event at www.sirch.on.ca/anniversary or by phoning 705-457-1742.

Many people in Haliburton County have been touched by SIRCH—whether as a participant in one of its many programs, a recipient of one of its services, or as a volunteer or a staff person.

“For 30 years, SIRCH has been blessed by the contributions of so many people,” explained SIRCH’s executive director, Gena Robertson. “Over 320 volunteers, 235 staff, and 63 volunteer board members, have helped make SIRCH a success. Their efforts have empowered SIRCH to provide quality, effective programs and services that have reached and benefitted countless individuals and families throughout Haliburton County.”

Harvesting community contributions: Apple Sauce Project celebrates another great year

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Haliburton County agencies and non-profit organizations are celebrating the impactful contributions of community members in making this year’s Apple Sauce Project a resounding success.

The Apple Sauce Project is a community initiative that turns unused apples from local trees into apple sauce, which is then frozen and distributed to seniors and families.

“The 2019 season of the Apple Sauce Project has been a fantastic success,” said Apple Sauce Project Lead Kate Hall of HKPR District Health Unit. “Local residents donated apples from trees on their properties. Their contributions helped get this year’s Apple Sauce Project off to a great start.”

A team of volunteers visited local orchards and properties to pick apples. “Seven volunteers donated their time to harvest apples. We’re really grateful for their hard work,” stated Nancy Brownsberger of Haliburton Highlands Health Services. “In addition, we want to thank the local property owners that permitted us to pick apples from their properties and orchards. It was a bumper year for apples!”

Over two days, the donated and picked apples were then turned into apple sauce. “We had 16 volunteers spend time in the SIRCH Community Kitchen, washing, cutting, cooking, processing, packaging, and freezing apple sauce,” explained Jay McIvor of SIRCH Community Services. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing your efforts make a difference in our community. Thanks to all the volunteers for participating!”

The Minden Community Food Centre also participated in the Apple Sauce Project. “Our volunteers work very well together. Not only have they made containers of apple sauce, but they also made apple crisp, which is also really popular with our food bank’s clients,” stated Marilynne Lesperance, Community Kitchen Manager of the Minden Community Food Centre. “We have a really good system in place!”

In total, 1,694 containers of apple sauce were made. Over the coming months the apple sauce will be distributed by Meals On Wheels, SIRCH Frozen Meals, and local food banks.

“The Apple Sauce project is a great example of community partners successfully working together to ensure everyone in our community has access to fresh, local and nutritious food,” said Kate Hall.

The Apple Sauce Project is facilitated by community partnerships:

How do you like them apples? Apple Sauce Project returns to Haliburton County

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It’s that time of year again when the apples are ripe and falling from the trees—perfect for apple sauce!

The Apple Sauce Project is a community initiative that turns unused apples from local trees into apple sauce, which is then frozen and distributed to seniors and families through Meals on Wheels, SIRCH Frozen Meals, and through local food banks. The project is a great example of ensuring everyone in our community has access to fresh, local and nutritious food.

If you have apple trees, and are not sure what to do with all those apples, consider donating them to the Apple Sauce Project. Donations of your picked apples are greatly appreciated! You can drop off your picked apples to SIRCH Community Kitchen, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton (next to the laundromat) on Monday, September 16, 2019, or Thursday, September 19, 2019 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“Since its inception in 2014, the Apple Sauce Project has made over 4,300 cups of apple sauce, which is roughly 8,600 servings,” said Kate Hall, Public Health Food Worker with Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit. “In the winter months, local seniors can receive the nutritious benefits of fruit from apple sauce.”

The Apple Sauce Project also needs volunteers to assist with picking apples, and making apple sauce.

Volunteers will be picking apples from local orchards on Monday, September 16, 2019 and Tuesday, September 17, 2019. To volunteer as an apple picker, contact Nancy Brownsberger at 705-457-2941 ext 2926.

Volunteers will process the apples into apple sauce on Monday, September 23, 2019 and Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the SIRCH Community Kitchen, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton (next to the laundromat). To volunteer as an apple sauce maker, contact Jay McIvor at 705-457-1742.

The Apple Sauce Project is facilitated by community partnerships:

  • Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit
  • SIRCH Community Services
  • Haliburton Highlands Health Services – Community Support Services
  • Entrée Plus
  • Haliburton County FoodNet
  • Local food banks

Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day on Saturday, August 17, 2019

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Each year, August 17 is recognized as National Thrift Shop Day! On this day, we’re all encouraged to donate to—and shop at—local thrift stores.

Throughout the community are numerous non-profit and commercial thrift, antique and collectible stores. SIRCH Community Services operates two Thrift Warehouses: one in Haliburton, the other in Bancroft. Both Thrift Warehouses are filled with furniture, household goods, electronics, and more, all at amazing prices! Visit www.sirch.on.ca/thrift/ to plan your own “treasure trail” road trip of many of the thrift, antique and collectible stores in our community.

“Thrift stores provide a wide range of benefits to our community. They help divert materials away from landfills, which is getting more important as our landfills fill up,” said Gena Robertson, Executive Director of SIRCH Community Services. “The Thrift Warehouse employs five people in Haliburton and four people in Bancroft, which contributes to the local economy. And we can offer an amazing shopping experience because items change daily—we have no idea what’s coming in. Hundreds of items often come in daily. And no two items are the same—you can come back every week and the inventory will be different. We get donations of everything from fine china to sail boats. Electronics, art, furniture, you name it! And we can offer it to the public at a fraction of what you’d pay in a retail store.”

To celebrate National Thrift Shop Day, both Thrift Warehouses will be running special contests on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. People donating items can enter into a draw to win a $50 gift certificate for use at the Thrift Warehouse. And shoppers can enter a similar contest too! Shoppers are encouraged to show their best thrift shop finds by including #thriftshopday and #sirchthrift in their Instagram and Twitter posts!

“The Thrift Warehouse, and other reuse thrift stores are vital contributors to our community,” said Robertson. “On National Thrift Shop Day, give a shout out to all the donors, shoppers, volunteers, and staff that help make the Thrift Warehouses and other reuse thrift stores the successes they are.”

Thrift Warehouse Haliburton is located at 128 Mallard Road, in Haliburton’s Industrial Park. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.sirch.on.ca/social-enterprises/thrift-haliburton/ or phone 1-844-847-4381 for more information.

Thrift Warehouse Bancroft is located at 141 Hastings Street North, in downtown Bancroft. It is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.sirch.on.ca/social-enterprises/thrift-bancroft/ or phone 1-844-847-4382 for more information.

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime – 30th Anniversary tribute

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Knowing that it’s our 30th anniversary this year, and also looking back over 30 years of history brought to mind a famous poem written by someone unknown. It’s a poem that has had a fairly profound impact on my life – and that continues to put things in perspective for me all the time. 

Gena Robertson, Executive Director SIRCH

It’s called A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is,

you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty;

to provide you with guidance and support;

to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,

this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,

because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;

things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,

and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

This poem has, as I’ve said, made a big difference in my life.  It’s helped me let the people who come, come and the people who go, go.  And to appreciate the people who are currently in my life teaching me things.

I also apply this poem to SIRCH.

Reason

Lots of people come to SIRCH for a REASON.  It may be their reason – they may have needed some information or guidance or support.  They may have needed a job, or needed to connect.  The reason may have been to show a student what would turn out to be her life passion, or to give a volunteer something to be passionate about. 

Or it could be SIRCH’s reason – the person could be there (whether we like them or not) to help us grow or change.  They could be a mentor – like the consultant who asked “why don’t you make your own money – you have lots of expertise within your organization” and started us on the road to consulting, then social enterprise. It could be the funder who rejected our evaluation efforts multiple times in 1992, but who made subsequent government evaluations look easy and cause relatively little distress.  It could be the woman in the abusive relationship, or the child who was doomed to not succeed in school or the family that had no food – all of whom helped create the programs that have served so many.

(Sometimes it’s both their reason and ours.)

Season

People involved in SIRCH for a SEASON have helped to shape the organization.  People who spent months or years honing the programs or services or social enterprises that they were or are responsible for.  Some were staff, some volunteers, some community partners, colleagues, or mentors.  Some have left at the most inconvenient times but then when they left, it made us re-think the position or program, or it made way for someone else just as great to take over.  

And sometimes, like the volunteers who were committed to Hospice or Women’s Emergency House and who moved on when those programs were divested or closed, there is both a reason and a season. 

Lifetime

Then there are the lifers.  The volunteers, staff, funders or partners who stick by SIRCH for years and years.  Like Wendy, who has been staff, management, volunteer and board member for probably 25 years.  Or Dorothy Owens who was the 3rd person I ever hired, who worked for the very first program, started Hospice, was a board member, did some consulting, developed some resources, did some training, and volunteered for nearly 30 years on an off although mainly on.  There are funders who have funded us for 25 years.  There are donors who donate unfailingly every year.  People who, by their commitment and continuing support, let us know we’re still true to the philosophy and vision of SIRCH.   

So as we continue into our 30th year, I hope you join me in treasuring and appreciating all the people who are, or have been, or will be involved with SIRCH for a REASON, a SEASON or a LIFETIME.