We used to say, we do whatever it takes, but that’s a big expectation. We like to hope we can, knowing it isn’t always possible. Sometimes it is though. Here’s a story about a time we did meet that expectation and it is glorious!
It was an unusually busy spring season in 2023 when Tori Dalair, the chief operations officer at the time, received a phone call from CLBC. They were calling to check in on another matter, but before the call was over they asked if we would be applying for the recently released proposal letter for taking over an existing four person staff-supported home in Chilliwack, and would Bethesda apply? Tori responded that she’d need to check in with the team. They said, please consider it, we’re encouraging applicants to ensure this home is well cared for and that there is an agency ready to step in when the existing contract ends.
Earlier, Tori had seen the request for quote (RFQ) in her email box, but after a quick conversation with the senior leadership team, they had decided not to apply. Tori says, “We questioned if this was possible because of the short timeframe allotted. The implementation timeline was mid-summer and too many key decision-makers were away, not to mention how difficult it is to recruit this time of year with many people being away.” Dawna Braun, the director responsible for the Chilliwack region, recalls, “It was just terrible timing. We all had so much on our plates at that time, there was a short turn-around, so we had to assess all of that. As much as I wanted to apply, as a team, we ended up making the hard decision to say no.”
So that’s where they had left it until that casual phone call conversation with CLBC.
After the call, she and Dawna revisited the idea. Dawna says, “Tori and I both went ‘we can’t do it – how are we going to hire a staff team in the middle of the summer?’” But after hearing from more than one CLBC representative encouraging them to apply, they were wondering if maybe this was a prompting from God to go ahead with it. Tori brought the question forward once again to the director team, and Dawna then expressed to the team that she felt we should do it. In fact, Dawna shared that she felt that the Lord was stirring her heart towards this. Tori’s comment was, if Dawna is in support of this, if we are feeling called to do this, then we do what we can to prepare this proposal and we leave the rest in God’s hands. So they took it to the rest of the executive-director team. At that point, they had three days to complete the application. Dawna continues, “Everybody was kind of like, you know what? I think we should pull together and try and get it in and see what happens. It doesn’t mean that it is going to get awarded to us, but at least we know we tried. So Tori, Greta and I worked like mad to try and get our application submitted.”
They wrote a 80+ page proposal in 3 days and then two weeks later, Tori received a notification from CLBC via a email with only a letter attached. Trying not to get her hopes up, Tori assumed that since there was no email message, they were just giving us a letter to know they’d given the contract to someone else. Tori says, “When we opened it, the contract indicated we were the successful applicants. I yelled out, “YES!!” right there at my desk staring at my screen. I quickly forwarded the email to the rest of the team with the letter attached from CLBC, and my email message simply stated: “We got it!!”. Then the reality set in. We needed to pull together a team, hire a manager, and be prepared to take over this home in 2 months.” And that’s when the team geared into full speed.
Dawna’s top priority was hiring a manager and assembling a team of staff, all while becoming acquainted with the ins and outs of the new home and the people living in it. A handful of staff stayed on to lend their knowledge, a couple others brought their skills from other Bethesda homes, rounded off by a few new hires unfamiliar with the sector.
Melinda, the newly hired manager of the home, was one of the staff who had never worked with people with disabilities before. But her experience in building and leading staff teams was the critical element for success. She says she is absolutely blessed with the team that she has. “We’re kind of in a sweet spot of who’s here. It’s been really great just to see everyone grow in their confidence and their understanding of the sector as well – at least four of us are brand new. So being able to learn from people who have been in it for a long time and just asking lots of questions.”
Collins Home is a place of love and belonging—a place that was blessed at its opening ceremony with a dedication plaque acknowledging Amazing Grace!
With the challenge of getting to know the women and building trust, the staff leans heavily on Bethesda’s signature Christ-centered approach and the tried-and-true techniques of their Mandt training.
Through their efforts and commitment to presenting a loving posture, they have seen remarkable changes in their relationships with the four women. Melinda notes a tangible difference in happiness, relaxation, and increased social engagement. The women are thriving. It is uplifting to the women living there, their families and the staff.
Although it’s only been six months, Collins Home’s journey with Bethesda has become a testament to faith, teamwork, and the power of grace. Tori reflects on the decision to go ahead with the Collins Home application, “It was a risk, but it paid off and we’re so grateful to add these wonderful women and their home to our Bethesda family.”
Bethesda took over operations of Collins Home in Chilliwack, in September 2023, making it Bethesda’s 23th staff-supported home. It is home to four women: Anita, Vera, Sharen and Ruth.
