SIRB (Seniors Information and Resource Bureau) is now part of NOEES (North Okanagan Employment Enhancement Society) at a new location with the same great services.
“NOEES is a wonderful organization and this is a wonderful location. We want seniors to know that we are here and that we have the same services for them,” said SIRB manager Dayle Drury.
SIRB joins the Volunteer Bureau and the employment services, including programs for older workers, at NOEES.
“It has been very busy and a lot more people are coming in but it has all settled down now and everything is running smoothly. Our staff is very supportive of the seniors bureau moving here,” said Lynn Belsher, NOEES executive director.
“We are trying to expand our base of services beyond employment and with SIRB and the Volunteer Bureau, we will continue to grow.”
Drury thinks seniors will be able to use the office, which is disability-accessible from street level, more easily now.
“We get calls about a lot of issues. Many of them are about housing and transition, getting more help at home or planning to move, which can be overwhelming. We also get calls about caregiver burnout and for help with understanding and filling out forms. We have had people come in with government letters not opened because people are afraid of what is inside and it is very anxiety inducing,” she said.
Another source of calls is from people who are visually impaired and need resources, and others who need to use the Volunteer Driver Program.
“We’re always looking for ways to help. I think we are in a unique position to identify needs and pass that information on to other organizations to add to their research. We take part in the Seniors Action Network and would like to see more seniors attending meetings to get their perspective. It is not just for organizations,” said Drury.
“I think the need for our services is only going to expand. We would like to help people plan and prepare for aging issues before things reach a crisis. We will continue to do everything we can to help people with that.”
The SIRB office is now at #102-3201-30th St., across from the old library. The phone number, 250-545-8572, is the same and e-mail has changed to sirb@noees.com and the website is www.noees.com. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed noon to 12:30 p.m. for lunch.
