our story
Following the Polio epidemic, society experienced a growing population of citizens with disabilities. In 1950, an ad was placed in the Medicine Hat News by Mrs. Beth Clarke and Mrs. Ada Williams. It read “Anyone interested in helping the handicap, please phone…”. Little did they know with those 8 words would birth an organization that now helps over 600 clients annually, employs hundreds of people, and has put hundreds of thousands of dollars back into other local charitable organizations. The agency was formed in 1952 as the Alberta Society for the Physically Handicapped and became incorporated on July 10, 1959.
REDI (Rehabilitation and Employment for Developing Independence) was developed at a time where often those with cognitive disabilities were institutionalized and were not given the chance to participate in society with respect and dignity. Sadly, at that time, segregation and isolation were the norm. Not satisfied with this outcome, Mrs. Clarke and Mrs. Williams started a local movement focused on acceptance and integration.
In its original form, REDI was intended to provide employment opportunities to clients through a sheltered workshop where clients/employees could earn a wage while manufacturing everything from ceramic cups to silk ribbons, and even REDI’s iconic bottle depot. The Society acted as a “broker” between individuals with disabilities and the community, arranged sub-contract work as well as the sale of the many craft items produced.
In 1955, the Society opened the first of its kind sheltered workshop or persons with disabilities in the old Empress Theatre building. In 1972 government funding became available that allowed us the opportunity to EVOLVE. REDI began developing and implementing individualized programming for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities, including life and job skills. By 1977 our services were in such high demand we built and relocated to a 10,000 square foot building. This was short lived as we added 15,000 square feet to the building by 1987.
On June 30, 2000, REDI Enterprises discontinued production in the workshop, having successfully placed individuals receiving services through Vocational Services in community work and volunteer placements. REDI shifted from sheltered workshops to a model that focuses on supported employment in the community where individuals are able to work with a job developer, develop an individualized job search plan based on their skills and needs and receive job coaching.
The sale of the ceramics equipment and the resulting vacant space allowed REDI Enterprises to partner with the Medicine Hat Volunteers in Action Association (VIAA) in creating Medicine Hat’s first Volunteer Centre. While the bottle depot still exists, it is no longer staffed by REDI clients, as they are placed in opportunities within the community at large.
This, and all REDI’s current programs, allow people accessing our services to truly become a part of the communities they belong to in a way that is meaningful to them and those around them.
In addition to work support, REDI has expanded services to include REDIConnects, REDILives, and BIRS (Brain Injury Relearning Services). REDIVentures, REDI’s social enterprise division, generates funds that help enhance programming and services delivered to our clients. Now operating in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Brooks, REDI employs over 250 people within these communities and has an annual operating budget of over 15 million.
REDI has believed since the beginning that all people have value in the community. We thrive on our internal culture that is collaborative, with everything about support coming together for success. This applies not just to the individuals we support but for each other as an organization. We are always looking to find new ways to engage with each other to do really good work. Person centred collaboration- it’s how we operate.
We pride ourselves on being consistent innovators- always evaluating and evolving. How can we be more connected, more involved, and educate more? By getting involved in events such as trade shows, the community walk, there are no limits to our evolution and the support we offer.
