Silver gift with bow on grey snowy background with red Christmas balls and gold confetti stars.

Giving a little extra during the holidays

December is known all around the world as a time when people celebrate the many holidays that occur this time of year. Whatever holiday you celebrate, December is a month where we gather with family and friends, recognize all the things we have to be thankful for, and excitedly look forward to all the possibilities the new year holds in store.

At Richcroft, our DSPs do an incredible job at helping those we serve to get involved in the festive activities they most enjoy. Our residential and support staff are extra busy this time of year, helping our supported individuals with all their holiday preparations, socializing at parties with friends and family, cooking, decorating, and even trimming the tree! These are perfect opportunities for those we support to put their creativity, budgeting, and cooking skills into action, and we at Richcroft are incredibly excited to see it all unfold!

Celebrated as the season of giving, the time-honored tradition of gift-giving is of course very much enjoyed by those we serve. Shopping for and creating hand-made gifts is one of our supported individuals’ most beloved holiday activities. Last year a family reported to us that because of the support of our direct care staff, they received a carefully wrapped, hand-made Christmas gift from their daughter that they cherish. They said the pride in their daughter’s eyes upon the presentation of the gift is a wonderful testament to the great work our staff is doing each and every day.

Before the pandemic, Richcroft held an annual holiday soiree for participants, their families, and staff. In 2019, our Support Services team hosted the event and they pulled out all the stops! There was delicious food, a fun photo booth, music, and even an ugly sweater contest! The event was a huge success and, as you can see from the photos, it was a great opportunity for both our DSPs, our administrative staff, and our participants to get together and meet other people in the program. This event was the first of its kind and while last year, most in-person events became virtual, we are hoping to return to the same type of in-person experience this year.

As well as being an opportunity to practice socialization skills and other skills that have been encouraged throughout the year, the holiday season can be a confusing time for some, especially those in the disability community. This is why our Support Staff take an extra bit of care and attention this time of year to really focus on the comfort levels of individuals and to encourage holiday cheer when some supported individuals are curious but hesitant. Our staff understands that some supported individuals may need that little bit of extra assistance this time of year, which is where Personal Supports can play a role: These team members can help with the shopping, decorating, and even gift-making activities. Individuals who do seek the help of Personal Supports are encouraged to put their shopping skills, budgeting techniques, and cooking prowess into practice. If years past are anything to go by, prepare to be impressed!

This year seems to have come and gone in a flash but our hope of returning to normal life is still as strong as it’s ever been. This holiday season, we hope that you stay healthy and safe and are able to spend time with those you hold most dear. We would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU, our generous community of donors, volunteers, staff, family, and friends for all of your support over the past year, and wish you a joyful and festive Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

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