Socio-Cultural and Recreational Programming
Portage believes that practicing sports and engaging in cultural activities are good ways to put the competencies acquired in rehabilitation therapy into practice. Portage residents therefore participate in daily therapeutic workshops and receive visits from artists, teachers, athletes, etc. with whom they share and learn. They also go on regular field trips to museums, shows, campgrounds, apple orchards, etc. In so doing, Portage encourages residents to discover new interests, talents, or skills, and provides them with opportunities to develop their creativity.
All Portage socio-cultural and recreational activities have clearly defined objectives that are explained to the residents. After an activity is completed, the coordinator reviews the results to assess whether the objectives were met or not. This evaluation helps staff members make adjustments to improve the activity, if deemed necessary. Residents are also asked to reflect on their responsibility in the activity’s success and to engage directly in the choice of activities.
Each resident is encouraged to participate in activities and persevere in order to achieve concrete results. Residents are also asked, during their rehabilitation therapy, to organise at least one activity themselves. Portage’s goal is to help them discover their own means to fight isolation, substance abuse, delinquency and self-destructive behaviour.
Cultural and recreational activities should cultivate the pleasure of living, laughing, and simply learning or re-learning to play. They help residents relax, enjoy time as a group, explore who they are, and reflect on positive and negative behaviour. When necessary, caseworkers may change a resident’s intervention plan following their experiences during these activities.
The inclusion of free time and personal time in the schedule is also a good way to allow individuals time to find themselves, assimilate new information and, for some, to meditate or pray.
Below are a few examples of socio-cultural and recreational activities at Portage:
For more, visit the “What’s New at Portage?” section of the website.
