SIRCH Community Services

an unwavering belief in people and possibilities

an unwavering belief in people and possibilities

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Meet our new Volunteer Coordinator: Betty Harmathy

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Betty Harmathy has spent the past two and a half years volunteering across the country. “I started in BC and finished in PEI,” she said.

The experience — from building houses on First Nations’ land, to working on an organic farm to coordinating hospitality at a teaching ashram — was unlike any other in her life and gave her many of the tools she would use in her new position at SIRCH Community Services as Volunteer Coordinator.

Prior to that life changing time in her life, Betty lived and worked in Barrie doing Children’s programming at the library. She also had previous experience working in legislatures in BC and the Northwest Territories. With a certificate in volunteer management, the position at SIRCH seemed like a perfect fit for Betty’s skill set and interests.

“I didn’t want to work for just anybody, I really wanted to work for a community based organization that was addressing community needs,” she said. “And so I did my research and found SIRCH.”

An outdoor enthusiast, Betty is looking forward to hiking the Haliburton trails, exploring the area on cross-country skis and getting to know the community.

Since starting at the organization in August, Betty has felt like SIRCH and Haliburton are the perfect fit for her life.

 “I’m so happy to not just have found work but to have found meaningful work,” she said.

To connect with Betty you can email her at: betty_harmathy@sirch.on.ca.

Meet our new Marketing and Sales Coordinator- Eric Wolfe

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Don’t let his last name fool you, there is nothing intimidating about one of the newest team members to join SIRCH.

The marketing professional has over 15 years in the marketing world as a manager, salesperson, promotions coordinator, digital specialist and much more.  Born and raised in Waterloo, Eric jokes that he moved to cottage country just before the world shut down.

“We sold our house and moved in March 2020,” he said.

The move was inspired to be closer to lakes and nature. Eric and his wife Julie have two “awesome” young sons, Ethan and Austin.

The switch to a not-for-profit came from a desire to find meaningful work.  Eric said “My end game has always been to land in a company that truly helps people and has an impact on the community. What really motivates me, is coming to work everyday and knowing that the work I do is making a difference. I believe SIRCH is that company.”

When he’s not working or enjoying time with his family, Eric can most likely be found enjoying one of his biggest passions, the Atlanta Falcons.  The NFL team holds a special place in his heart.

“There’s my family and there’s the Atlanta Falcons, whom I love almost as much as my family,” he jokes.

You can drop Eric a line at eric_wolfe@sirch.on.ca.

Family secrets, deceptions and astonishing truths

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Imagine seeing the ocean liner ticket of your great-grandmother when she first arrived in Canada. Or finding a record of your family dating back to the 1600s. And how would you feel if you discovered that a long-held family story wasn’t completely true?

All this, and more, was uncovered over the course of SIRCH Community Services’ Family Roots pilot program.

As part of Family Roots, senior volunteers were trained to conduct online family research while learning about community resources. The trainees were then matched with other seniors, who were more isolated or needing connection, to research their family history.

“Family Roots has been a rich and rewarding experience for all participants. Trainees have gained skills, and with their senior matches have fostered companionship and friendship,” said Donna Gagnon, SIRCH’s Family Roots Coordinator. “There’s been so many amazing discoveries along the way—from learning more about a family’s country of origin, to finding long lost relatives. It’s been fun and exhilarating!”

Participants want to share their experiences and discoveries at a public event.

SIRCH’s Family Roots Reveal Night, “Family Secrets, Deceptions and Astonishing Truths” takes place Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Haliburton Highlands Museum, 66 Museum Road, Haliburton. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

“At the Reveal Night, you’ll hear from a woman who discovered her Quaker ancestry, and about a 98 year old woman who found out she had three half-siblings in England,” stated Donna. “In addition, you’ll see examples of families that trace their roots back to France and Italy, and how they came to Canada and the Haliburton Highlands. You’ll also hear about the connections made between trainees and their matches.”

The Family Roots program is made possible by a grant from the Government of Canada New Horizons for Seniors Program, and is supported by the Haliburton Highlands Museum, and Haliburton Highlands CARP Chapter 54.

Volunteer fixers needed for SIRCH’s new Repair Cafés

Are you a tinker? A fixer? A mender? A repairer? Can you fix small appliances like broken toasters or blenders? Do you know how to mend ripped clothes? Change a bike tire? Fix broken electronics? Mend a cracked vase? Repair a torn book cover? Darn socks? Level a wobbly table?

SIRCH Community Services is looking for volunteers to join our team of Repair Café Fixers.

Volunteer Fixers will help people mend their broken items at SIRCH’s new Repair Cafés.

Repair Cafés help people repair broken household items—computers, electronics, small appliances, small furniture, clothes, jewelry, books, bikes and more—that could otherwise end up in landfills. Originally begun in 2009 in the Netherlands, Repair Cafés now take place all over the world. SIRCH is excited to bring Repair Cafés to Haliburton County. SIRCH is organizing a series of Repair Cafés in Haliburton County from January to August 2020.

A recent study states that Canadians produce more garbage per capita than any other country on earth. Each Canadian generates approximately 2.7 kg of garbage each day. Communities across the country—including Haliburton County—struggle with an increasing amount of residential waste that ends up in local landfills. SIRCH’s Repair Cafés are a vital way to help reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of by giving household items a new life thanks to volunteer Fixers!

“We’re especially looking for people who are handy repairing clothing, textiles, bicycles, electrical appliances, furniture, and wood items,” said Chris Varga, SIRCH’s Repair Café Coordinator. “As a Fixer, you’ll be able to put your skills to great use, helping others repair broken items that would be serviceable if fixed, or items that have sentimental value.”

People interested in becoming a volunteer Fixer can complete a Volunteer Application Form at www.sirch.on.ca/repaircafe or contact SIRCH by phoning 705-457-1742 or emailing info@sirch.on.ca.

If you have an item that is broken and can likely be repaired, visit www.sirch.on.ca/repaircafe to learn about planned Repair Café events scheduled throughout Haliburton County from January to August 2020.

SIRCH’s Repair Café is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $108 million to 629 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

Bancroft Thrift Warehouse opens at new location

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The new location of the Bancroft Thrift Warehouse is 141 Hastings Street North, located next to the McDonalds. The store sells gently used furnishings, home decor, dishware, appliances, clothing and much more.

A BIG thank you to the more than 100 people who attended our grand opening this past Saturday in Bancroft! We had a wonderful donation of a couch, chairs and table brought in on Saturday. Check out some pictures of our new store and come on in to check it out.

The new location offers ample space for customers to enjoy their shopping experience.
We received a lovely donation of a couch with matching chairs on our opening day!