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Page THE HERALD March 1991 Community ActonOasis provides muchneeded service By LISA BOONSTOPPELPOT the Herald Enjoying life isnt easy for mentally disabled adults because they need a lot of support and encouragement to take part in social activities To help the mentally ijl in Hills enjoy life the Cana dian Mental Health Association has branched out in Halton Hills to offer Oasts in the work program space located at 100 Elgin Street in Acton Oasis is a recreation program offered from to 30 Tuesday Wednesday and day nights and every other jH 11 HIS III mK Playing bingo is one of the activities Kim Peters far left organizes for the disabled persons involved in the new Oasis program put on by the Canadian Mental Health Association in Ac ton The recreational program has about members Including Judy Herald photo The Canadian Mental Health Association has expanded into Hills in Acton with a new recreation program called Oasis for the disabled People like Wayne Warren seen here calling out bingo numbers at one of their recreation nights are helped lo develop social skills as well as a place to meet and fun through the program Herald photo day from 5pm for adults in Halton Hills who suffer from schizophrenia depression bi polar disorder manic depression and other psychiatric disabilities These people are capable of handling anything but they need a lot of bolstering said Kim Peters a mental health worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association This pro gram gives them something to look forward to and something to do instead of roaming around on the streets Thats exactly what Tom White who lives in the Acton Village Manor used to do before he became involved with the pro gram If Im not here I walk around and sit in a coffee shop Tom Theres no room at the Manor to do things except sleep Tom is a person who likes to do projects He is very interested in and knowledgeable about engines and likes to work on engines But because there is limited tional space at the manor for pro jects like these he becomes bored and turns to the streets to get out and do something even if it is only walking downtown to the local coffee shop But now Tom has a place to go Here there are a couple of couches easy chairs and tables set up When Tom and his fellow Oasis members meet they can either take part in the activity of the evening or lounge around and engage in their own activities Its a crash pad said Ms Peters Its quite unstructured and they can come and go as they please After spending time with the Oasis participants during one of their recreational sessions it became apparent to an observer how relaxed and casual the get togethers are In the table section of the room many of the members sit smok ing and quietly talking while playing bingo In the lounge area one person has dozed off in an easy chair while another com fortably sits smoking a cigarette While playing bingo many of the members sit quietly just waiting for the next number to be called out Ms Peters said this is normal since many people with psychiatric disorders are withdrawn and internal They really need a social pro gram where it is expected of them to take part in an activity and talk or else it becomes very comfortable for them to stay in their cocoon Tom s special friend Margie is very quiet but shell say how much she enjoys coming to Oasis three nights a week I like meeting the people she says 10 MINUTES YES TRY US Your Complete Car Cleaning Oil Change Centre 5 ARMSTRONG AVE UNIT 5 GEORGETOWN ONTARIO S ARMSTHO ALSO ON HWY ORANGEVILLE 8779394 5199422910 Although most of the members already know each other from the Halton Work Program where Oasis is located there are some new people the members have been able to become friends with Developing friendships and rung how to relate to other people is an important part of the pro gram said Ms Peters Part of the program is to teach th3 participants how to fit into society she said What they learn here they need to learn to cope in society If they treat me or anyone else badly Ill tell them they cant do that because they cant do that outside this room either But though the members are chronically and severely mental ill she says they arent violent and being alone with them during the Oasis sessions isnt a frightening time Rather an en joyabletimeforMs Peters Being here combines my in terest in mental illness with recreation said the graduate of Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo Shes been working in Acton since Feb when the pro gram first started and has been employed with CMHA since January She joins the group whether they re playing bingo going bowling learning painting and ceramics or just sitting around and talking I take them serious ly and they enjoy talking to so meone who does take them seriously she said Theyre just like anyone else She also helps teach baking and cleaning skills which helps the members towards independent living For Tom living on his own is a goal hes working towards Hes saving up his money to someday get a place of his own When he does the practical and social skills he learned through this program will help him fight against the mental illness he lives with and make his move a suc cessful one towards dance SAME DAY TAX RETURNS 101 Guelph St Georgetown 8772217 FREEH GIFT The Paper Factory U AND CELEBRATING OUR 4th YEAR WITH SOME EXCITING NEW CHANGES IS OUR SPECIALTY COME IN AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR FINE VARIETY OF SEAFOOD AND MANY OTHER SPECIALS NEW CHILDRENS MENU FAMILY RESTAURANT 118 ST NORMANDY PLAZA 8731409 GEORGETOWN