People of Perley - Mitch Haslam

Mitchell Haslam is the embodiment of bringing your “most authentic self” to work. He sings aloud as he walks through the halls, he enjoys asking the Perley residents to dance, and he's no stranger to whipping out his harmonica and giving an impromptu concerto in the lunch line. He is well-known and beloved by Perley residents, staff, and volunteers alike, and seems to know everyone by name. He is a ray of light for all he meets, and he has been such since he started volunteering here at just 16 years old.

Mitchell's mother, a PSW, noticed how easily her son connected with seniors, and suggested he volunteer at Perley Health for the summer. It was life-changing. He was awarded the Perley Health Summer Youth Volunteer Award soon after and decided that this would be the place he'd like to start his career. He worked to get his diploma in recreation programming, and soon made his way back to Perley Health as a Recreation Programmer in the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Program (TRCA). “I'm rocking and rolling and having a good time!” Mitch says.

Mitchell's career trajectory, of volunteer commitment-turned-career at Perley Health, is not unusual. What makes his situation special is how quickly he demonstrated an innate ability to connect with the Perley Health community. He made an instant difference in many lives. So much so, that when it was discovered that Mitchell had lost his Summer Youth Volunteer Award in a house fire, staff immediately jumped to replace it, knowing what it meant to him. He was presented with a new plaque in another intimate ceremony outside the Art Studios. The event caught him completely by surprise. “It touched my heart,” Mitchell recalls.

With his positivity and spirit, Mitchell fits right in with the TRCA team. Helping to facilitate a range of activities that promote well-being and quality of life through creative programs like pottery, painting and woodworking, music, dance, horticultural therapy, fitness groups, and more, Mitchell's energy is perfectly aligned.

“My favourite part of my job is simply interacting with residents, reminding them that they are more than just residents, they are my friends,” Mitchell says. “I love how I get everybody's happy side out of them. When everybody's happy, and smiling, and laughing and just all the fun things.”

Mitchell has noticed that at Perley Health, staff are not only highly qualified, they mesh together and complement each other's abilities. With a caring volunteer corps adding their unique skills, the Perley team approach translates into better lives for Seniors and Veterans.

Volunteers hold a special place in Mitchell's heart, not just because he started as one, but because volunteers are the “lifeline” of Perley. “We all have a part to play, and I think that it just adds to how special and good the Perley is,” Mitchell says.

 

 

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"My favourite part of the job is just how I interact with the residents by getting to know them and becoming their friend. That's my favourite part of the job.” - Mitchell Haslam, Recreation Programmer