THUNDER BAY – Joan Hebert knows the value of services offered through the Quality of Life Network.
For more than a decade she has accessed services through the Canadian Mental Health Association, which is one of 30 United Way associated community agencies that have partnered to form the Quality of Life Network to offer comprehensive assistance for almost any challenging situation.
“They’ve helped me for more than 10 years,” she said. “I know the United Way sponsors some of the things the Canadian Mental Health Association delivers so they’ve just helped me in an all-around way.”
Hebert was one of two clients who shared their stories at a media conference Monday morning to promote the upcoming second annual Community Awareness Day.
Representatives from all 30 agencies will gather together at the Victoriaville Mall promotions court on Friday to meet with members of the public.
Aleksa Shermack, the program coordinator with Independent Living Resource Centre, said the information session is a valuable way for community members to find out more about what kind of supports are available.
“A lot of people in the community don’t know what they can access. They don’t know all of the services and all the different people who are out there to help,” Shermack said.
“This network really touches every part of people’s lives from conception to old age.”
With 30 agencies, which include the Children’s Centre, Community Living Thunder Bay, the John Howard Society and the Regional Food Distribution Association, there is help for nearly any aspect of daily life.
The wide-reaching impact of each of those agencies has already made a significant impact in the city.
“Each of those agencies is touching hundreds and hundreds of people’s lives each year. You think, in a small city, there’s probably more people who have accessed a United Way service rather than hasn’t,” Shermack said.
The information session will run on Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
