Programs

This page describes all the programs that MC House provides and sponsors. Click on the green links to quickly skip to the item(s) you want to know more about.

• VIHA'S Adult Day Program
• Pearson College Outreach
• Neighbourhood Response Program
• Homework Buddies
• Guest Chef Series
• Guest Speaker Series
• Community Potluck Lunch
• Drop-in Art
• Parents & Tots
• Internet Access
• Volunteer Drivers Program

VIHA's Adult Day Program

The MC House is proud to host the Vancouver Island Adult Day Program on Mondays and Wednesdays of each week throughout the year.

VIHA Volunteer Josie and Barb

Adult day programs are community-based services that aim to enhance the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities. At the Metchosin Community House, VIHA provides opportunities for our seniors to stay in touch with other people within our community. Clients can join in the morning coffeebreaks, hotlunches, exercise programs, community outings, arts and crafts, discussion groups,and informational programs or talk to health professionals about issues that concern them.

Excercise . . .

The cost is $4 per day or $6 per day if transportation is included. More information can be obtained from the Adult Day Program Manager at (250)370-5789.

VIHA worker Andrew helping June Y.

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Pearson College Outreach

“Pearson Students Help in Our Community” (Metchosin MUSE 2004)

The Metchosin Community Association actively engages the Pearson College students in service within our community and particularily with our young and elderly residents. On Monday afternoons a van arrives at the MCHouse with 14 college student who hail from an amazing assortment of backgrounds and home countries. They take part in the “Community Service” portion of their curriculum by visiting the homes of Metchosin seniors who have expressed an interest in this contact or by assisting the local elementary school students with after-school activities and/or homework help. Contact the MC House at 478-5155 for more.

Introducing MC House at Pearson College; John, with Parwana and Saijai

In October of 2007 it became clear that the MC House Community Service program attracted more students than could be accommodated during the Monday afternoon session. After some dicussion between Pearson College staff and several MCA volunteers, a second group of students now take part by coming to the MC House where they meet, and mingle with seniors. Feedback so far has shown that this somewhat experimental program is already a success.

Thursday's MC House program; Rudy, ???, Audrey and Agnes having a chat

Thursday's MC House program; Viola and Hinako making snacks

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Neighbourhood Response Program

The function of the Neighbourhood Response Program (NRP) is to maintain effective awareness, preparedness, response and recovery programs to reduce the human and financial costs of actual or imminent emergencies and disasters. NRP helps local residents analyze hazards and risks, and prepare themselves for disasters. In Metchosin this is accomplished by some 40 neighbourhood groups or Pods that are headed by a Pod Leader. The Pod Leaders are assisted by a NRP Coordinator who oversees the preparedness activities of all Pods. The NRP Coordinator reports to the EOC Chief, who in turn reports to the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) Director. The organisation is shown below.

PEP organisation and where NRP fits in

For more details, please contact the NRP Coordinator John H. at 474-1471.

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Homework Buddies

Homework Buddies is a programme sponsored by the Metchosin Community Association, for children who may benefit from receiving extra help or encouragement in reading or arithmetic.

Meeting Mondays after school at the Metchosin Community House, children will have a chance to practice their skills or complete homework assignments in a one-on-one, supportive environment. Sessions are 30 minutes in length and snacks are provided.

Metchosin Buddies is facilitated by community volunteers. Adult members from the community, students from Pearson College or peer tutors may become your children's “Buddy”.

The cost of this programme is $10 per child which includes a yearly membership to the Metchosin Community Association. We ask for the occasional juice or snack donation.

Please call the Metchosin Community Association at 478-5155 or Jane Hammond at 478-6126 for more information.

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Guest Chef Series

This Series has proven to be so popular that we create a waiting list just in case there are last minute changes in initial reservations. There are usually six to eight of these Guest Chef events per year. This is a wonderful way to socialize, learn a little and dine out close to home all for approximately $20 per person. Any profits left over after expenses go to supporting other programs and the operation of this community facility. The MC House “House Guests Series coordinator” manages to contact people within our local area who are keen on cooking and sharing their creations. The Guest Chef then formulates a menu which is advertised in the Metchosin MUSE as an evening of cooking instruction (in various degrees of detail depending on the chef) and dining pleasure. Pre-paid reservations are sold to a maximum of 20 guests based on who calls the the MC House office (first-call-first-listed) at 478-5155.

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• October 2007 - A demonstration and taste of everyday Sgohan Japanese family-style cooking presented by Yoshiko & Madoka of Umimami Farm
• November 2007 - Thai cooking presented by Saijai Liangpunsakul of Pearson College, and assisted by several members of the MCA Board.

Saijai L. preparing a Thai dish with June R. looking on

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Guest Speaker Series

This is a very popular series at the Community House. MC House casts about the local area to identify experts who are willing to speak on a wide and varied range of topics. If you have any topic requests or know of someone who might consider speaking on a subject please let us know at 478-5155. The lecture is free to the public. There is usually an offering of refreshments and donations are always appreciated.

Some of our past topics have included:

• “The Awakening Dragon : China's Impact on the World Economy” presented by Metchosin resident, Charles Priester, Professor of International Finance and Economics at the MacRae Institute of International Management.
• “International Education : The Legacy of Kurt Hahn” presented by Charles Peacock, Head of School at Christ Church Cathedral School and local resident.
• “Working with the UN on the Landmine Issue” presented by long-time Metchosin resident Melanie Reimer.

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Community Potluck Lunch

Potluck lunches are served starting at noon on the last Thursday of every month. Everyone is welcome to bring a favourite dish, share a story and have a good laugh. The majority of the people who come are Metchosin seniors, plus the odd person from the other Western Communities. The food is always very good, and there is normally lots of it.

Geraldine found what she wanted

Bertha and Charlie following suit

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Drop-in Art

Margie Humphreys at work

The Drop-in-Art sessions are for anyone interested in painting on a weekly basis. It is a chance to meet other people interested in doing art, experiment with ideas and different media and have fun. You are encouraged to bring your own materials and projects with you. Sometimes we work on similar projects such as collages and leaf prints or you may chose to “do your own thing”. Anything and everything goes! The coffee pot is always on and we welcome newcomers. We only require you to purchase a MCA membership of $5 for the year. We meet every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to noon (except the first Tuesday of the month which is cancelled due to Board meetings). Hope to see you there. Submitted by Margie Humphreys

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Parent & Tots

Parent & Tots Group meets on Fridays from 9am to 12 noon. This is an opportunity to get together with others who have young families. Compare notes and form new connections with people while the kids play. These are the bonds that young parents and their little ones carry with them in our close-knit, rural community.

Parents are free to take this group to whatever level of formality they see fit. In the past there have been guest speakers, sing-song/rhythm play, snack time, playground fun and just casual, comfortable socializing.

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Internet Access

The MC House has two computers that are for public use. The machines run Windows XP Home Edition, and are connected to the Internet via a firewall. The most commonly used applications such as MS Word, MS Excel and MS Powerpoint are available. A web browser called Firefox is also installed as an alternative to MS Internet Explorer. There is a good quality laser printer that can handle light duty tasks. The computers are equipped with USB ports which allow you to transfer information between the hard disk and a portable USB memory device. Use of floppy diskettes for data transfer is discouraged since it is very limited and not very reliable.

Use of these computers is only possible when the MC House is open during weekdays between 9 am and noon.

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Board Game Night

Second Friday of each month at 7:00 pm the MCHouse is opened and Board Game competitors of all levels of expertise come on in to challenge each other to whatever Board Game strikes their fancy. From Rummyo, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly to Fast Scrabble, Fast Trivia, or Fast Chess. Bring a new game-idea or jump into the conventional versions. It's always tons of fun and rules are very flexible. No need to call ahead just show up and “let the games begin”.

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Volunteer Drivers Program

Our MCHouse office personnel coordinates rides for some of our senior residents who need transportation to and from medical appointments. There is a short list of volunteers who give of their time and vehicle to assist in this way. Please keep in mind that we are always looking for more help as the list of volunteers is constantly changing. Contact the MCHouse office 478-5155.

Here is a note from a family member whose Mother made use of this service:

January 17, 2007

To Whom It May Concern>

I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the Metchosin Community House and in particular the programs they run in support of Seniors. My Mother, Muriel Burr, recently passed away. She had been a resident of Metchosin since the early 1960s. It was only through the programs run by the MCH, such as the Volunteer Drivers Program, that she remained in the community living at home. She was extremely fond of Metchosin and dearly did not want to move into “town” as she referred to it, as so many of our Seniors are forced to do today. As with many families, the added burden of having an elder living in a rural area would have been difficult. I especially appreciated the efforts of the Community House as I was away in Halifax and Ottawa until recently with my husband on Navy postings. I've been a long time volunteer with the Military Resource Centre and have sat on their Board. As a fellow volunteer I recognize the value of the programs of the Metchosin Community House and I am truly thankful to their dedicated volunteers.

Sincerely,

Debra Pile