Visits to local high school help Portage Keremeos residents with social reintegration

08-déc.-2010During the month of November, Portage Keremeos residents went on several outings to the local high school as social reintegration exercises. They attended two assemblies with the other students.

The first one was a fun presentation by the Harlem Crowns, a spinoff the Harlem Globetrotters (an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theatre, and comedy). The outing was also an assignment for the residents’ Physical Education class. They were instructed to observe and then write an essay about sportsmanship, teamwork, and the benefits of laughter. The residents thoroughly enjoyed the performance and were delighted to welcome some of the Harlem Crowns to the Portage Keremeos centre the next day for a private show and discussion.

The second assembly they attended was a MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) presentation. Though Portage residents sit apart from the other students at these assemblies, being back in the school environment and amongst others has been helping them prepare for reintegration back into mainstream society once they finish their rehabilitation program at Portage.