SUDBURY -- The Adult Enrichment Centers, in both Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, are taking to Facebook Live to provide services during COVID-19.

The decision was made last week to suspend all services and close the three facilities in Sudbury and two in Sault Ste. Marie to help keep staff and clients as safe as possible during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"Following a regular routine and consistent schedule is very important for these young adults," said Lori Harrison, the manager at the Sault Ste. Marie locations via email.

The Adult Enrichment Center is delivering programing for clients every morning on the AEC Private Group on Facebook, so participants can join from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Daily online schedule includes:

  • Talk show at 10 a.m.
  • Music therapy at 1 p.m.
  • Daily topic discussion at 3 p.m.

Corrie Vasiliou's 16-year-old son, Jayden, is enrolled at the centre and she agrees with the decision to move the services online.

Vasiliou says that Jayden would have had to been pulled from the program anyway due to a history of pneumonia and other health issues, but the Facebook live events give him a chance to stay connected.

"He has the option to, when he doesn't want to be a part of it, walk away and go to his room and then come back and join in," said Vasiliou. "But, he loves it when Joanne or Tabitha say 'hello' to him on Facebook live. He just laughs so hard. He loves it so much."

Participants must be a member of the private Facebook group to view the daily live stream videos.

"It's been a godsend for me, honestly," said Vasiliou.

She says that the centre is working on creating a Zoom account so that the clients can eventually join through video chat. She says this will allow members, like her son, to interact and see one another and not just the AEC staff member on Facebook live.

Joanne Bouchard, a registered social service worker and founding executive director, says this is a service that they hope to continue even after the doors to the centres are back open.

Bouchard says there are often times when clients have to stay home due to a regular cold or flu and by continuing to stream online, members won't have to disrupt their regular routine.

"Typically an individual with developmental disabilities struggles with any changes in routines and schedules," said Bouchard via email. "By putting together this little live podcast every morning and staying connected [it] gives each individual a purpose every day to get ready, get dressed, [and] continue with their daily activities like we would be at the program," said Bouchard.

The Adult Enrichment Center is also staying available to its members over the phone during this time of uncertainty.