Local News
20th anniversary of G.R.O.W. (Gaining Resources Our Way) in Gimli
By BERNIE BELLAN On Wednesday, September 14, past and present participants, family members of participants, and support workers (both past and present) who have been involved with the G.R.O.W. program gathered at 91 Willow (which is one of two homes donated by the Lazareck family for the program, the other being the home next door at 93 Willow) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the G.R.O.W. in Gimli program.
According to information provided by G.R.O.W. executive director Sandy Sheegl, G.R.O.W. in Gimli has hosted 120 individual participants in its 20 years of existence. Individuals are allowed to come back to the program up to three years in a row
The Gimli program was closed one summer during Covid, and instead a day program was hosted at Balmoral Hall. The Gimli program runs for six weeks in July and August. The age range for participants is 18-21.
The Winnipeg G.R.O.W. program currently has 18 participants, according to Sandy, age 21 and up.
During the course of the evening two of the original founders of the program, Barb Ivans and Pam Wener, were honoured for their contributions to the program. Karyn Lazareck, who has played such a pivotal role in G.R.O.W., was unable to attend, but was well represented by three members of her family: husband Mel and sons Jordan (a participant in the G.R.O.W. program from the very beginning, who is now living on his own with support), and son Sam (who is a psychiatrist and a hockey player who was profiled in our April 27 issue along with with Michael Stoller prior to their heading to Israel to participate in the Maccabiah Games there in July).
Ivans and Pam Wener, were honoured for their contributions to the program. Karyn Lazareck, who has played such a pivotal role in G.R.O.W., was unable to attend, but was well represented by three members of her family: husband Mel and sons Jordan (a participant in the G.R.O.W. program from the very beginning, who is now living on his own with support), and son Sam (who is a psychiatrist and a hockey player who was profiled in our April 27 issue along with with Michael Stoller prior to their heading to Israel to participate in the Maccabiah Games there in July).
Attendees were treated to food from a food truck parked in the back lane prior to remarks given by G.R.O.W. executive director Sandy Sheegl.
Tanis Morwick is the mother of two twin sons, Ryan and Riley, who have been participants in the G.R.O.W. program from the very beginning. As well, Tanis serves as the committee chair for G.R.O.W. Gimli.
Fern Swedlove noted in her 2010 article that “For Riley Morwick attending the G.R.O.W. Winnipeg transitional life skills day program for young adults provides an opportunity to take the next steps towards independence. ‘I am learning a lot, he said, how to cook, clean, work out and try some new games.’ “
Tanis Morwick told attendees at the G.R.O.W anniversary celebration that Ryan and Riley have moved out of the family home and are now living on their own, where they receive support from Supported Independent Living, which provides support to adults with intellectual disabilites.
“They’re both working,” Tanis said. “It’s amazing what your kids can do when they’re not with you,” she added.
At one point three different participants in the G.R.O.W. program were interviewed by one of the program’s workers, whose name was Erin Gamey.
Rachel, a G.R.O.W. participant, said that “G.R.O.W. is such a great place to learn new things – and if you mess up you can do it over again ten times!”
In introducing honouree Pam Wener, Donna Collins noted that Pam has been involved with the G.R.O.W. program long before it actually took shape in 2002, when she “joined a small steering committee which was focused on opportunities for young adults (with intellectual disabilities). At the time that goal seemed unattainable. Through the 20 years of its existence, Pam has contributed to all facets of the program and has served on every committee associated with the G.R.OW. project.”
Pam Wener was responsible for involving the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Manitoba in evaluation and program development. Before the G.R.O.W. in Gimli program ever began Pam worked with three occupational therapy students to develop the initial program. Stemming from that initial partnership with the U of M, Pam began to accept occupational therapy students for their fieldwork placements in Gimli. Eventually that partnership led to G.R.O.W. becoming a place for summer employment for the students. Graduates from occupational therapy were hired as full time coordinators. Over the years at any given time five-six occupational therapists from the program and the U of M are involved in G.R.OW.
In addition, many other undergraduate students have worked and are working at G.R.O.W. prior to applying to occupational therapy and other health care professional education programs, e.g. medicine, psychology etc.
In her own remarks Pam Wener observed that Karyn Lazareck had “wanted to introduce a life skills program” in Gimli for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
“Some of the participants had never been away from their homes over night. The program began with six people and grew to 12.”
Barb Ivans, who was also involved with G.R.O.W. from the very begining added that “what was once a dream has become a reality.”
Finally, Sam Lazareck, speaking on behalf of his family, acknowledged the support given by the Rady JCC over the years, which, he said, “has piloted the program.”
The Lazareck family has established a fund through the Jewish Foundation known as the Jordan Lazareck Fund, which provides scholarships for participants in the G.R.O.W. Gimli program. Families that might need financial assistance in sending their kids to the G.R.O.W. Gimli program should specifically ask the Foundation about the “G.R.O.W. Gimli fund.” If you would like to contribute to that fund, you can contact the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba at 204-477-7520.
Local News
The Jewish Post Ltd.’s brand new website
Click here to be taken to our new website featuring foods you can find on Facebook Marketplace
Local News
First year medical student Tim Rozovsky founds new association for local Jewish medical students
By MYRON LOVE In the face of a concerning surge in antisemitism over the past nearly three years, I am happy to report a good news story in that regard. Tim Rozovsky, the founder of the new Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba, reports that he and his fellow Jewish students enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine are not experiencing any significant issues involving antisemitism.
Hopefully, the matter of the notorious Med school Valedictorian who used his podium to attack Israel was a one-off.
“My goal in forming the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba,” says the first year medical student, “was to create a safe, supportive environment for my fellow Jewish medical students.”
He reports that the current first year class at the school has eight Jewish students – an increase over more recent years – with maybe a dozen more in the other years.
For a new medical student, Rozovsky already has an impressive resume. He was born in Russia and grew up in Israel. After the completion of his army service in 2018, the then-22-year-old rejoined his parents, Dr. Katya and Alexander, who had moved to Winnipeg a few years before.
Prior to coming to Winnipeg, Rozovsky had completed a personal trainer program out of The Academic College at Wingate in Jerusalem. Some readers may know the young man from his work as a Master Personal Trainer at the Rady JCC.
Shortly after arriving here, he enrolled in a kinesiology program at the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a BKin Honours in 2023 and did post graduate work at the University of Manitoba. Last fall, he received his MSc in Physiology and Pathophysiology – earning two gold medals, along with 32 awards and scholarships in the process.
Rozovsky says that it was his mother who inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Katya Rozovsky is an associate professor at the University of Manitoba and an attending radiologist, specializing in pediatric diagnostic imaging.
(Tim also adds that his wife, Irina Gelzin, whom he married about a year ago, is training to be a nurse.)
Insofar as the Jewish Medical Students’ Association of Manitoba is concerned, Rozovky reports that the group gets together multiple times a year. One of its programs was a joint Chanukah celebration with the Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba.
There was also a joint program with the Christian Medical and Dental Students’ Association of Manitoba.
“More recently, we have been helping prospective Jewish medical students with their applications,” he says. “Hopefully we will be able to get together over the summer with the incoming Jewish students.”
As to his own future plans, Rozovsky notes that it is too early for him to be deciding on a specialty. “My goal,” he says, “is to work hard and get good grades and become the best doctor that I can be.”
Local News
Gray Academy to Represent Manitoba at National Reach for the Top Competition
By NOAH STRAUSS Posted June 6) Gray Academy’s Reach for the Top team is headed to Moncton, New Brunswick, to represent Manitoba at the National Reach for the Top tournament.
Reach for the Top is a Canadian school league that quizzes teenagers on a variety of different topics, from science and history to pop culture. Reach started out in 1961 in Vancouver, where a local CBC station broadcasted the new show; it eventually became a national broadcast starting in 1966. Alex Trebek, who famously hosted Jeopardy!, started out by hosting Reach for the Top.
Gray Academy’s very own team, made up of Grade 7 and 8 students, will travel to Moncton, New Brunswick, to compete as Team Manitoba. By winning the provincial Reach tournament, they secured their spot in the national competition.
Faculty members at Gray Academy are very supportive of the program. The Jewish Post spoke with three different staff members at the school. Coach and high school teacher Danielle Miller says she is excited for the trip; although she will not be accompanying the team herself, shehas coached them all year.
“This year we had over 20 students come to the club to join us, they practice twice a cycle at lunch,” Miller said. Due to the large turnout this year, two teams had to be formed. At lunch practices, students split into two teams of four where each player has a buzzer. The two teams compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.
One of the two teams did exceptionally well at various tournaments throughout the year and will be traveling to nationals as the sole team representing Manitoba.
Co-coach Micah Doerksen described Reach as a great academic competition where young minds are tested on various topics through quick,fast-paced questions.
High school guidance counselor Lindsey Leipsic said, “We have athletes, non-athletes, we have students who are really involved and students who are not as involved at school, and we have quiet leaders, and we’ve seen friendships be built in Reach.” Some of her favorite memories of Reach involve seeing students from across Winnipeg come to Gray Academy and bond with one another. Lev Chisick, who is competing at nationals, agreed, saying, “Moncton is going to strengthen our school spirit and make us a better team.”
As the junior team makes their way to Moncton, the senior team will head to provincials. Later this week, students from the senior team will travel to Virden, Manitoba, to compete at the provincial level. The team qualified after placing high enough at their most recent tournament, which took place at St. Paul’s.
Confidence is high as the school heads into these final tournaments. When Nath Goldenberg, who is also competing at nationals, was asked what he is most looking forward to, his answer was short and sweet:“Winning.”
