Approximately 800 people from the tri-communities watched the parade. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

community support

Children North staff returned to work this week with community parade

May 12, 2020 | 5:18 PM

It’s been a busy week for staff at La Ronge’s Children North as at least 70 per cent of employees have returned to working in the office in some capacity.

“We’re not totally back to work. We still have a few of our staff working from home,” Executive Director Daina Lapworth said. “Some people are coming in just for the morning, some people just for a couple of hours here and there. We just make sure there’s not a lot of people in the office and we can stay far away from each other.”

Staff began the week by reaching out to local residents with a parade and dance party as part of an effort to lift community spirit. Lapworth noted close to 800 people participated by dressing up, dancing in their front yards or by wearing a costume. Gift cards for Co-op and Giant Tiger for groceries were given out as prizes.

Employees at Children North were away from work since mid-March when the provincial government closed many businesses and services to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With workers returning to the office, Lapworth explained they are practicing social distancing and have precautions in place. For instance, staff aren’t working in-person with clients but instead using online virtual methods for therapy.

“I’m just really impressed with the communities,” she said of the parade. “It was just great to see all of the families. There were adults, kids and teenagers dressed up. There were so many people, it was just fantastic to see.”

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It also happens to be Early Childhood Intervention Program Week throughout Saskatchewan, which is a branch of Children North. The program has been in La Ronge for 35 years, Lapworth said, and targets children between the ages of newborns to five years old.

In 2018, Children North worked with approximately 400 people from communities including Air Ronge, Deschambault Lake, Grandmother’s Bay, Hall Lake, La Ronge, Pelican Narrows, Pinehouse Lake, Southend, Stanley Mission, Sucker River, and Wollaston Lake.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno