Estevan Community Wellness is establishing itself in the community by releasing its newest plan to Estevan.
In an announcement at Affinity Place, some of the gathered members announced the initiative's new efforts to help keep Estevan safe and connected.
The group first began as a committee under a pilot project in 2023 - bringing together community members in various sectors in order to help promote wellness.
Shelley Veroba, a city councillor and a member of Estevan Community Wellness, talked about some of their hopes for the program.
"We are excited to officially launch our media campaign to bring recognition to Estevan's Community Wellness Committee and the plan to help build a stronger, safer community that knows and cares for their neighbours and looks out for each other. The plan identifies 4 priority areas mental Wellness, substance abuse and addictions, education and employment, and victimization. Our vision and our community will sustain safety and well-being for all generations. Our values are to be inclusive, to be fact-driven and evidence-based, to work with humility and open-mindedness, and to have intentional continuous development."
The initial funding for the project came from the provincial Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.
The organization will be using the funding and resources they have for a number of projects, explains United Way Executive Director and member Heidi Hesselink.
"Our committee is currently looking into several initiatives. We are hoping to create a local block grant program and a Neighborhood Watch program. We are building regular community game nights and hoping to create more opportunities for free events that bring the community together. We are encouraging natural support so that the community members are better able to support each other. We've developed or made use of a website that we will be promoting very soon. We are working with Southeast Cornerstone School Division and Envision to create and promote these."
They'll now look to raise more money from the community with a dinner, as explained by member Rebecca Foord.
"We plan on hosting our first big event on Monday, January 20th, 2025 to bring awareness to mental wellness. We picked this day because it's officially known as Blue Monday, which is commonly known as the saddest day of the year. We will be bringing a speaker that will help highlight the challenges faced when dealing with mental health concerns. The hope is to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and make it easier for people to access what they need by getting people talking and highlighting the supports that already exist in our community, and by acknowledging that we aren't alone in our struggles."
Tickets for the event to be hosted in Estevan will be $40 per person or $300 for a table of eight.
As Estevan Community Wellness is getting set up, they'll be looking for more members to fill their ranks from all across Estevan.