New Executive Director at West Central Abilities

By Joan Janzen

There’s a new Executive Director at West Central Abilities in Kindersley. Tamara Wiebe began her new position on February 1st, 2024, after being employed with The Cooperators for twenty-four years.

Tamara Wiebe is the new Executive Director at West Central Abilities in Kindersley. Photo by Joan Janzen

“It was time for a change,” Tamara said. When Kim Edmunds left her post at West Central Abilities after twenty-three successful years, it didn’t take Tamara long to apply for the job.

She has been involved with West Central Abilities since the 1990s. “I started working at the day program. My job was to pick up one of the clients in Kerrobert,” she said. “That client is still here.”

She knows all the clients and has been on the Board for ten years. For the past six years, she has been the Board Chairperson.

“I hit the ground running and haven’t stopped,” she explained. “It’s just good for my heart. It makes me happy.”

It doesn’t take long to realize that Tamara has found her happy place. She oversees the three group homes in Kindersley, the activity centre, clients, and Sarcan. “It’s a team effort,” she added.

At the day program, the clients help deliver meals on wheels, go swimming and bowling, play games, and much more. Tamara is enjoying overseeing it all, but there are also a few challenges.

One of those challenges is the completion process of the new day program building on 1st Avenue West. “I will be in contact with the government agencies who provide funding, and with the contractors who are doing the work on the building. We are seeing light at the end of the tunnel but it’s a long process,” she noted.

“Fundraising is a huge part of what we do. We don’t get funded for vehicles at all, so all our fundraising efforts are going into purchasing a wheelchair-accessible van or a bus,” she explained. “We are working on that right now.” Her prior involvement on the fundraising committee has armed her with a wealth of experience, along with her organizational skills and willingness to help.