Everyone’s invited to a community craft fair Friday, Nov. 22
A Surrey non-profit is hosting a craft fair to highlight the talent of its members.
Members of the Options Community Services clubhouse program are hosting the community craft fair on Friday (Nov. 22) at Habitat@81 (13583 81 Ave) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Melissa Wilson, Clubhouse program manager, said the fair “paints a good picture” of the program. The referral-based program supports adults who are experiencing a variety of mental health concerns in their wellness journey.
Members can access any of the three locations: North Surrey, White Rock and Delta. Each one offers various activities, including basic living skills, mental and physical wellness, leisure, employment and education, Wilson said.
“We are member-run in what they want to do and stuff they’re interested in, and so a lot of our folks are so talented, and they have these hobbies, and they’re creative, and so they have all these things, and they get to showcase that talent at the craft fair,” Wilson said.
Carin Nielsen will be selling reindeer hot chocolate, reindeer food and chocolate bars wrapped with Christmas decorations.
Nielsen started going to the Surrey clubhouse two years ago when she was grieving. She had unexpectedly lost her best friend, her husband, her dad, and her cat all in one month.
“The clubhouse was like a breath of fresh air for me when I went there, and they understood what I was going through because I felt nobody understood, but they actually did understand, and they have brought me out of my shell so much it’s unbelievable,” Nielsen said.
“When I first went there, I wouldn’t talk to anybody. I wouldn’t have anything to do with anybody because I was still grieving. Now I can trust anybody at that clubhouse,” Nielsen said.
She added that the staff at the clubhouse are awesome. “If you need a hug, they’ll give you a hug, if you’re not sure about something, they’ll help you come to the proper conclusion,” she said.
Wilson describes the clubhouse as a “mini-community” where clients can work on their wellness journey while participating in new activities and interests and setting goals for their wellness.
“A lot of folks that attend, they’ve lost contact with their family, or their family’s not with us anymore. They’re isolated. There’s not a lot of friends or social settings that they can fit into and just like having that connection again, to have someone you know, sit and really listen to them and say, like, I care about you, and you know, I want you to be a part of this,” Wilson said.
The program is optional. “So the folks that are in attendance want to be there,” Wilson said. When people have completed all their goals, Options will connect them with resources in their community.
