3 Weanesday, August 26, 1957 - North Shore News What's going on in the community? SEE PAGE 34 | MACMILLAN BLOEDEL LEADS Winning program aids employees NORTH VANCOUVER resident Jim Stimson has reason to be proud of his job at MacMillan Bloedel where he is the brain behind the innovative Employee Assistance Program. The program recently received the national Work and Well-Being Award from the Canadian Mental Health Association for health promotion activities and programs which consider the physical and mental needs of all employees. It is the program’s third award. The orogram is organized and run by management and labor and has achieved full participation of the company's four unions. The recent award marks the first ume a joint Employee Assistance Pro- gram (EAP) has been recognized with a national award. Stimsan said the progian: offers free assistance tu active and retired personnel and their famifies. He said 41 per cent of the clients are spouses and children, which is an exceptionally high percentage. “Few programs focus on employees’ families, but often there are serious family problems before the employee falls apart on the job,”’ Stimison said. Stimson, married and a father of two, is trained in community development and organization. He started his job nine years ago and had to overcome distrust by the unions and his own management. He said it took five years to lay the By ANNELIES RAVENSBERGEN Contributing Writer foundation and develop his own ideas, “There was na model in ex- isterce that 1 could follow. so all the deas came from my experi- ence.” Stimson said the philosophy behind the program is the belief of the company that it is aecountable to provide support and direction. “Many people experience pain and we recognize that together we can make people stronger’! he said. The EAP served 2,300 people last year with a success rate OF 87.2 per cent. He said the company's cost for the program is $40 per employee per year to provide the free EAP service which includes initial assessment, referra: and follow-up care. But Stimson said he has never been asked to show that the program is cost effective. ‘*The company believes that it is the right thing to do,’’ he said, adding that unions shied away from such a program. The program initially dealt with alcohol-related problems, but has seven primary areas. ‘‘Alcohol is still the single largest referral pro- we photo submitted HAPPY EMPLOYEES may be reward enough, but MacMillan Bloedel Lid was recently given the added bonus of being chosen the winner of the Canadian Mental Health Associatian’s Work and Well-Being Award, in rec- ognition of its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which acts as a counselling and referral service for employees and ay a cooperative fiaison between MacMillan Bloedel’s management and its four unions. Receiv- ing the aadonal award, trom left to righs, are: Neil Menard, second vice-president of IWA Canada, Bill Bryant, secretary of PPWC Local 8, Minister of National Health and Welfare fake Epp, OTEU local 15 shop steward Wendy Marocchi, EAP coordinator Jim Stimson and Mike Hanlon, on behalf of CPU Region IV. blem, making up 50 per cent of the cases,’’ said Stimson, who per- sonaily experienced alcehol pro- blems. The second largest area is mari- tal and adult relationship related. Stimson said many people sub- consciously put their work before their marriage. The company pro- vides interest-free loans to pay for professional counsellors such as psychologists and social workers. Another service is the help for parent/child parents act because diey are so emotionally think son said, involved, but we would fike them and legal problems. w to respond affectionately,’ Stim- Services are also provided for drug addiction, financial problems aa Childhood, the most important time to learn music OPEN HOUSE 5 convenient locations . Vancouver Richmond Surrey Coquitlam North Vancouver PRIZES, REFRESHMENTS BALLOONS, MUSIC, FUN!!! aR KKH wok kK ek KO ek keke kb Or, FACILITIES & SERVICES EXCLUSIVELY FOR WOMEN + * Aerobic & No-Bounce Aerobics daily * * Whirlpool & Sauna * CASH PRICE * Lifecycles & Fan Bikes NEW ADULT * Cushtoned Wood Floor PATRONS * individual Lockers ONLY * Private Showers . Supervise cd Progiams * Nutritional Guidance HURRY! * and much, much more!! OFFER COULD END WITHOUT NOTICE!” Let your child experience our successful teaching method through a complimentary lesson. A t 27; 28, 29 Thursdays & Fridays 5 to 8 p.m. : September 3 45 | Saturdays 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. : Great teachers & a stimulating program combine to give your child the best possible start in music. dunior Music Course Piano Club Course & Electronic Keyboard and Organ Courses WIN FREE TUITION OR A PORTABLE KEYBOARD Phone to reserve your FREE lesson 132-7648 TOM LEE YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOLS — 4 to 5 year olds — 6 year olds & up Dk tek tke Sk kk Ras 2 oy At Ss te a REGISTRATION CENTRE ¥ 7740 ALDERBRIDGE WAY 980- 5635 276-2242: “es AMR MRR MO aa 5 MARINE & ¥ ge ve