ImagineAbility… if you can

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/04/2021 (767 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

So there’s a non-profit organization in the City of Winnipeg that I believe is one of our best kept secrets…

It’s called ImagineAbility (IA) and  I was fortunate to meet a young woman involved with IA through the Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan ambassador volunteers program.

Specifically, we met through the bike valet component of the fan ambassadors program, which I supervise. ImagineAbility works with the Bombers to provide volunteers for games and events at IG Field.

Tara Buzahora co-ordinates and supports IA’s service users and ensures that the interactions from all stakeholders remain positive and respectful. She takes her responsibilities quite seriously and is very proficient – emphatic and considerate and unafraid to be assertive on behalf of those she supports at IA.  

Tara has even taken me to task, rightfully so, when necessary.

I recently had the chance to ask Tara some questions and I will provide her answers verbatim throughout this column.

When I inquired about the hierarchy at IA, her response was thorough and detailed.

“ImagineAbility is a non-profit organization (whose) mission is to support the independence, abilities, and aspirations of individuals living with a disability.

“All people are valued, empowered to realize their potential, have access to opportunities, and enjoy meaningful relationships.

“For almost 60 years, we have maintained the highest standards of professional behaviour in our commitment to the people we support and all of our stakeholders.

“We provide day services which support over 250 people at our two locations; through contract packaging, community based services, supported employment, and recreational activities.

“We operate at 500 Madison St., where Paul Moore is the manager of support services and business services. Community-based services has two co-ordinators, Tara Buzahora and Kay Mulenga.

“Our second location is at 436 William Avenue, where Chihiro Jung is the manager of Support Services and Jeanette Campbell is assistant manager of support services.”

When I asked Tara what she would identify as the main service(s) that ImagineAbility provides she said:

“Over the years, the focus has been on business operations and contract packaging. This still forms a part of our operations but the focus has shifted to providing individualized services based on each individual’s personal goals and dreams.”

I then asked how many people were accessing services with IA and was kind of floored by her answer:

“We have about 250 service users and we continue to grow each year with many students wishing to come to our services after high school. We support all ages and love to build relationships with all our service users to ensure they feel heard and supported in their chosen paths.”  

I then asked Tara how long she had been at IA:

“I have worked at ImagineAbility for eight  years. I started as a direct support professional and my current title is co-ordinator of community based services. This service division of ImagineAbility was developed in 2015, with co-coordinator Kay Mulenga and myself.

“We have been able to build our services to support individuals who want to access their communities though, volunteering, looking for paid employment, exploring interests, building skills, enjoying activities and hobbies with like-minded friends and coworkers.”

IA offers a delicious frozen meal program which I happily participate and, given my own disability, thoroughly appreciate.

But I’ll defer once again to Tara:

“ImagineAbility developed a nutritious and cost-effective food service in April 2020. It is offered to the people we support, families, agencies and direct support professionals. We are also offering this service beyond our sector to seniors, people living below the poverty line and anyone in need of a good home-cooked meal.”

More information can be found at IA’s website: www.imagineability.ca

Weldon Rinn lives, writes, and enjoys living in St. Vital. He can be reached at weldonrinn2@gmail.com