This year, a community-minded resource, Segue Career Options, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Throughout this period, the organization has provided a diverse range of employment services to a large group of Pembina Valley residents.
“20 years ago, things shifted and there was a new way of doing programming,” says Lavonne Kroeker, program director of Segue. “We think that's worth celebrating.”
A celebration with friends
Kroeker says that the organization has involved its community partners in its recent festivities celebrating the occasion.
“We had a lunch at the park in Winkler, and we invited many of the businesses that have supported us over the years. We do work experiences in the community, so it was a chance to thank them,” she says.
“Our business community is so amazing. They are always willing to have people come do work experience, and they provide feedback to our participants, which is incredibly valuable.”
Kroeker says that some of Segue’s funders were also present.
The organization sees support from the Government of Canada and the Manitoba Government, as well as the Eden Foundation and “other generous donors.”
The occasion also featured community organizations that work with Segue to provide resources to those who need it.
Ultimately, for Kroeker, the lunch featured a collection of invaluable supporters.
“We could not have done what we have done for the last 20 years without the partners in our community,” she says, adding that the organization’s partnership with Eden Foundation is an especially essential one.
“We are part of a broader family of Eden programs, and that is definitely a part of our strength. We can be more effective and creative when we work together. We also have shared services within Eden that are really helpful for what we do.”
Amplified by sponsors
Kroeker is also thankful to the sponsors for the anniversary event. She says the list includes Berdick, Grandeur Housing, Ironmen Industries, Heatmaster, JR Bearing, Gardenland Co-op, Bernie’s Backhoe Service, and Elias Woodwork.
The program director says that through “above and beyond donations,” Segue was able to have the Bunker provide meals for the event.
The generosity also allowed Segue to get some items that it had been dreaming of for a while, but couldn’t purchase out of project funding.
“We were able to get some branded Segue shirts for everybody on our team,” says Kroeker. “We also got some water bottles and stickers, which we know we're going to use going forward for things like career fairs, and so we're just incredibly thrilled.”
The roots of a boon to the community
Beyond a chance to celebrate, Segue’s 20th anniversary event also marked just how far the organization has come and the name it has built in the community. The resource was not always what it is now.
Its beginnings take place in a basement.
“It was [a workshop] meant for individuals who were at Eden Mental Health Centre or were being discharged and heading out into the community,” says Kroeker.
The program director says that now, Segue has grown.
“[We want to recognize if] there are ways we can adapt our programming or keep broadening our programming so we can ... provide things that are really meaningful and helpful for individuals, no matter where they are in their journey.”
-Lavonne Kroeker on working with Segue Career Options.
Services have expanded to everyone in the community who needs help with employment services, including individuals with disabilities, those who have been out of the workforce for an extended period, or those just entering the workforce.
“We help connect [everyone] to employment in various fields,” says Kroeker.
Helpful programming
Along with the program, the number of people accessing the services over the years has also flourished — Kroeker says that approximately 100 people a year walk into the doors of Segue, which means that over a 20-year stretch, about 2000 people have benefitted from its support.
The individuals who use Segue services have a variety of programs to choose from, including Segue Next Steps, which Kroeker describes as a week-long job search session.
The program stands as an example of how Segue facilitates community bonds.
“You're in a classroom of people where you haven't maybe met the others before, and you can make connections,” says Kroeker. “The one thing you all have in common is that you're all looking for work, and that [helps] you know that you're not alone in that.”
Kroeker says that another benefit of Segue programming is that it's free of cost.
“Just like I mentioned before, we are very grateful for our funders — it means that everything we do is at no cost to participants,” she says.
‘Employment is a field that’s always been close to my heart’
Another vital part of Segue is the people whose passion keeps it running. For Kroeker, who began her career in 2017, working with employment services is meaningful.
“I've had the opportunity to work in lots of different parts of the organization, and employment is a field that's always been close to my heart,” she says.
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For the program director, seeing changes in people is worthwhile.
“I really enjoy the transformation that you see often with individuals when you work with them, where they might not believe in themselves, but we always have that belief that yes, there is something out there for you. To see them accomplish [finding employment] is so rewarding.”
'We have lots of ideas and dreams’
As Kroeker reflects on twenty years of Segue, she also looks to the future.
“We have lots of ideas and dreams,” she says, noting that one of them is leaning into the identity of being a part of a broader mental health organization.
“[We want to recognize if] there are ways we can adapt our programming or keep broadening our programming so we can ... provide things that are really meaningful and helpful for individuals, no matter where they are in their journey.”
To support Segue's work in the community, consider making a donation to the organization here.
With files from Jayme Giesbrecht