Reprinted from The Perley Rideau News, January 2017

The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre and Algonquin College have entered a formal partnership that will see the creation of a ground-breaking health-care classroom and learning environment.

The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding on January 13th outlining the plans to create and consult on the delivery of educational programs, clinical services and research initiatives. Under the new agreement, Algonquin College’s Personal Support Worker students will take classes at Perley Rideau where they can interact with the residents and tenants while accessing Perley Rideau’s experts and resources.

Speaking on the importance of this collaboration, Perley Rideau Chief Executive Officer Akos Hoffer explained: “This takes our long-standing partnership with Algonquin College to the next level. We look forward to supporting the creation of a differentiated learning experience that will develop news skills and new sensitivities for the PSWs training in our home.”

Cheryl Jensen, President of Algonquin College, affirmed the benefits of experiential learning for students, “Course work is important, but there can be no substitute for the moment when one of our Personal Support Worker students help a resident here to stand up. Or reach something. Or remember,” she said.

During the event, PSW Engelyn Caballero, reflected on her training at Algonquin College and her work at Perley Rideau.

“It (Algonquin College) prepared me to always seek help if I don’t know a specific procedure. As my professor would always say, ‘There is no nonsense question from a person who is trying to be the best version of themselves and putting their whole effort to become a positive team player’,” said Engelyn, who graduated in 2016. “Perley Rideau has made me fall in love with my chosen career more deeply because of its warm hospitality to newly hired staff and an open-arm acceptance.”

Classes are expected to start in the spring of this year. Interested individuals should contact Algonquin College for more information. Watch for news and updates on this exciting collaboration in the weeks ahead.

Excerpt of remarks by Akos Hoffer, announcing partnership with Algonquin College

“Today, we are entering into an agreement with Algonquin College that will unlock the potential of our already great relationship. So why are we doing this?

For one thing, our environment is changing quickly:

• Funding will become more and more of a challenge;
• The expectations of our funders and those we serve are also increasing; and
• Recruiting staff in the future will be more difficult.

Our reputation would be nothing without the compassionate and diligent care provided by our frontline staff, many of whom are educated by Algonquin College. But the changing environment will present some unique challenges, and we know we will have to do some unique things to respond, including our partnership with Algonquin.

Before we proceed, I would like to point out what a pleasure it has been to work with the entire Algonquin team. They truly live up to the values of your organization, many of which are shared by Perley Rideau.”

Remarks by Engelyn Caballero, PSW, during the event to announce Perley Rideau’s partnership with Algonquin College

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

My name is Engelyn Caballero and I am very honored to be part of this ceremony to represent Algonquin — the school that became my aid to take my first step towards my goal, and Perley Rideau — where I will have my resignation handshake with Mr. Akos Hoffer in 43 years from now.

I graduated from Algonquin last October of 2016 and I have been working at Perley Rideau for almost 2 months and during these months, I am gaining beneficial tips from coworkers, discovering my inner capabilities and enjoying my down time with some amusing residents.

Algonquin has prepared me, as PSW, to give my full potential and be selfless with my acts and words that will help individuals who are in need and help improve their quality of life.

Furthermore, it prepared me to ALWAYS SEEK HELP if I don’t know a specific procedure. As my professor would always say, “There is no nonsense question from a person who is trying to be the best version of themselves and putting their whole effort to become a positive team player.”

I would recommend the Algonquin program to other people because of its sufficiency with the curriculum and the valuable lessons that students will receive from the professors based on their experience.

Perley Rideau has made me fall in love with my chosen career more deeply because of its warm hospitality to newly hired staff and an open arm acceptance from the facility.

Thank you everyone and enjoy the rest of the day.”