It's no secret there are many non-profit organizations doing great work in Weyburn and last week they all got together for the Community Connections luncheon. 

CMHA Weyburn hosts the meetings that take place a few times a year, for the past three years. All the different community-orientated groups come together to build a network and establish connections among themselves. Each meeting, two or three organizations present what they do and how they help people. 

"What we found was there were so many organizations in the community here to help members of the community. What we thought was it was important for everybody to start trying to work together — put some faces to names and understand what each organization does and the services they're able to provide," explained Tasha Collins, Program Director for CMHA Weyburn. "We recognized that if we start coming out of our own silos and start working together we can benefit this community in a much better way."

With all these organizations coming together, they can help each other with clients who may need extra attention or a referral to a different group. They also share events with one another of fundraisers or fun happenings.

Collins said the meetings have been successful so far over the past few years. 

"We meet two to three times a year and there are so many community-based organizations. The Chamber is there and Social Services, Envision, Wor-Kin Shop, there is so many worthwhile organizations," Collins noted. "It's really beneficial because many of us work with the same clients or similar clients and understanding what each organization does, it allows us to refer people better. So instead of jumping from one place to another, to another, this meeting allows each agency to refer someone on to one that better suits their needs."

One of the groups that presented last Thursday was the Weyburn Group Home Society. They provide independence and a home for the handicapped population. They offer supervision for those suffering from mental or physical disabilities in their adult years. 

The WGHS is trying to build more homes in the Opportunity City as their waitlist is currently sitting in double digits in Weyburn for those wanting to move into a home. 

The next Community Connections get together will take place in June.