Inclusion Weyburn presented a Spirit of Inclusion award yesterday to Joanne Smith, the Teen Programmer at the Weyburn Public Library.
During the In Wey Teen Program group members, Smith had been working on a galaxy paint craft and setting to prepare a snack when Inclusion Weyburn President Jackie Wilson asked for everyone's attention to make the surprise presentation.
"I have been very much trying to work with groups in the community with different teens," she shared. "This was just a different opportunity, and it definitely started out outside my wheelhouse as a Teen Programmer because it's very different to program."
"I've learned from them as much as hopefully they've learned from me a little bit, but it's actually knowing that, you know what? They're really not that different. They are awesome to work with."
Wilson shared on why Smith was chosen to receive the Spirit of Inlcusion Award has been presented monthly since last fall to various community members.
"Joanne runs it so well that the teens love it so much, and it's growing," she said, noting Smith had reached out to her to start the program.
"We've got wonderful people in our community and organizations and we like to make it known," Wilson added. "They're quiet about it. They don't like to make a splash. So we have to do it for them."
The In Wey Teen Program runs for one hour on Tuesday afternoons throughout summer, with about four to six attendees taking part in a variety of activities from crafts to cooking.
Smith said she has a full program lined up for teens with physical or mental disabilities, called Empowerability. The plan is to run the program on Sunday afternoons, and provide opportunities to explore a wider variety of topics and have fun.
