SEIU-West was proud to sponsor and march alongside the Metis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (MACSI) at the annual Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness March on September 8, 2017.

MACSI is a safe and supportive place for people with addictions to seek help, fellowship and recovery through one-to-one counselling, educational day programs, and residential treatment and after care. MACSI is a unique addictions agency in that it is guided by the knowledge of Métis heritage and traditional Aboriginal teachings. They provide these vital services in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina.

SEIU-West is inspired by the members who work at MACSI and help to make our communities better places to live. So for its sixteenth FASD Awareness Walk, Neil Colmin (Vice President of SEIU-West) was delighted to speak on behalf of SEIU-West. We are happy to share his words with you:

I am proud to speak on behalf of our brothers and sisters who work in the Metis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (MACSI) centres in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina. This work is valued and essential in our communities.

Our MACSI units fall into our Community Based Organization (CBO) sector. It is our SEIU-West members who form part of the team that provide addiction services and treatment on an in-patient, out-patient or day program basis. Their important work provides the opportunity for clients to participate in one-to-one counselling, group workshops, cultural teachings and recreation programs; these are vital opportunities with the goal of improving quality of life for all clients.

Not only does MACSI and our members provide this much needed service, SEIU-West was pleased to discover that you also raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It is so important to talk about this issue and develop an understanding of FASD and the significant impact it has on vulnerable members of our community. This issue is especially significant to me as I have a godson who suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I have a personal appreciation of the struggles both these individuals and their families face. My godson is progressing in a positive way, however, I know that the kind of support offered by MACSI would have been a genuine benefit to him.

SEIU-West is proud to be a continuing sponsor of this 16th Annual (MACSI) Community Walk for FASD Awareness.

I would also like to thank all of our members who work at MACSI for the quality service you and your co-workers provide to those who are in great need.  As with all community services, your work and dedication often goes unnoticed and today I would like to give a big thank you to both MACSI (the organization) and our members for all you do to make our community better.

SEIU-West has previously worked with MACSI primarily in a labour relations fashion over the last 20 plus years. We will continue to work to ensure our members/your employees have the best working conditions, a sense of job security and good union representation.

However it is a pleasure to work with you now as a community builder. We are truly “stronger together” when we tackle important community matters.

Just as we have common goals and values when it comes to making MACSI a great workplace for our members we also share the common goal of achieving quality services for those in our community who need it the most.

Congratulations again on a successful event and thank you for providing us an opportunity to work with you on this important initiative.

Be sure to check out some of the photos from this year’s FASD Awareness Walk!

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