by PAUL RAYNER

After 16 years, there will be a changing of the guard at the Boissevain Association for the Handicapped come the end of the month.

Executive Director Don Engbrecht will be leaving his position on June 29. He said his decision, made this past March, was made primarily because of health concerns due to the stresses and pressures of the long term on the job. In fact, he said, his time was unusual for someone in his position.

“I’ve done my service,” Engbrecht explained. “For people in this business, I’m the oldest, longest-tenured I know of in the province. It was just that it got to be time to look at making a change.”

Engbrecht started with the Association in the spring of 1991. Over that time, he has seen many developments, some of which changed again as the years marched on. For example, the Hand Crafter workshop, originally famous for its lawn chairs made by the Association’s mentally challenged clients, grew in economic importance. With the growth of the wood products and the addition of the router, they were at one time able to increase the production from a base of $10,000 annually to $115,000 per annum.

The major fund-raising events were held starting in 1991, clearing $6-10,000 annually before being dropped a few years ago. They added three residences, to a total of five, during his tenure, including a senior’s home on McKay Street, and purchased a handi-van for greater wheelchair mobility. In 1997, they purchased the neighbouring building that once housed the War Bonnet, eventually entering into a partnership with the United Church to open a thrift shop.

Other changes occurred, like a move away from workshop production to more integration of clients in the regular workplace, and the aging of the population. Those are issues that will continue to need attention.

“It will be interesting to see what will happen here with an aging population, to find people to keep it going. It is something the whole community will be grappling with.”

He insists he is not retiring, just leaving his position. Engbrecht plans to take some time off to unwind before moving on to something new. He knows there are a few things he will miss, particularly working with the staff. A few members, like Helen Nantais, Hazel Armstrong and Karen Cuvelier, remain from his time in the top job, and he has a high regard for all the staff has put into the Association.

“I am proud of all the staff throughout the system,” Engbrecht said, “I will miss the staff, and the staff camaraderie. We have had a lot of time together, and a lot of it went beyond the job description. I feel I’ve been there for the staff, gone the second mile. I really tip my hat to them.”

The new executive director, Jason Dyck will arrive on the job on June 11. He is leaving a two years position with Prairie Skills Employment. He said he applied for the position in part because it is based in his home community and where his family goes to school. As well, it had new challenges he felt he was ready for.

“I have seven years experience in residential care services,” Dyck explained, “and I have worked in coordinator/director positions. It is a different business in part, but there are similarities. I love working with people and it is nice to work in a position where you can give back to the community.”

His residential care experience comes from working at Eden Health Centre, a mental health facility in Winkler, where he spent time in Linden Place transitional home. He was also a coordinator for the Manitoba Metis Federation.

“I feel most of the jobs I’ve done in my adult life contribute to this and led up to this point. It has been either management or care services, those are the skills I bring to the table.”

Some of the issues Dyck knows he will be dealing with include taking a look at the staffing structure. In part, one of the long running concerns is filling vacant positions. Part of this might be looking at pay scales.

“Generally,” he explained, “we need to examine what’s working and what’s not working well with staffing. We have had concerns about getting more people to apply for positions. We want to make it a place where people want to go to work.”

He also recognizes the changes with the employment possibilities for clients. He generally supports the changes to move clients into a more integrated work place, and for the Association to be supportive of individuals within that move. A strong sense of cooperation with the community will help accomplish these goals.

As well, the aging population means more supports must be available, including more health care. Dyck feels the emphasis must always be, as it has been in the past, on the good of the clients.

“We need to provide extra support for people that require it. Residents have a right to and should be able to contribute to the community and be a part of it. I feel our job is to help them get what they want out of their lives.”

There is overlap between when Dyck begins and Engbrecht moves on. The new executive director appreciates this fact. Dyck said he needs to lean on his predecessor’s experience and contacts, as until he has been in the chair for a while, he is unsure about exactly what needs attention and in what way.

“He will be a valuable resource for me, for sure,” Dyck stated. “Don has a lot of experience there and knows the system and organization. I look forward to catching up to where he’s been.”

In fact, Dyck is looking forward to the new move altogether.

“I am excited. This is a great opportunity for me and I am looking forward to seeing the challenges and opportunities. The Association is an important part of this community, and I look forward to working to find additional ways to improve.”