An often-hidden crime has been skyrocketing since the pandemic – elder abuse. Sheatre is seeking a Communications Coordinator to help lead their elder abuse awareness and prevention project, “Mishoo Miinwaa Noki – You, Me and Wrinkles”.

“It is a catastrophe of elder abuse right now,” said Laura Tamblyn Watts, chief executive officer of CanAge, a national seniors’ advocacy organization. “It is a crisis state,” she said in a February article in The Globe and Mail.

“Seniors are more isolated now than ever,” says Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario. “Some are living with their abusers and have minimal to no access to community supports. Their knowledge of which resources are available to them is also limited.” The need for prevention and awareness has never been greater.

“Wrinkles” is an innovative approach to do just that. It’s a podcast series that informs people about different forms of elder abuse and about where to get help. It was created and performed by residents of Wikwemikong, Ontario. The authentic, engaging characters immerse audiences in what could be otherwise discomforting stories. Chats with experts follow each audio-drama, to talk about practical community health and support services, as well as helpful strategies. “Wrinkles” empowers people to reach out – and make changes.

To get the word out to as many people as possible, Sheatre will hire a Communications Coordinator. This person will collaborate with and supervise community volunteers to develop and implement outreach and promotions to Indigenous communities across Ontario and Canada. The position is funded by New Horizons for Seniors and the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Grant.

“It’s a great opportunity to help make positive change through the arts,” says Sheatre’s Artistic Director, Joan Chandler. “Wrinkles” builds on the success of Sheatre’s first podcast, “Ye Canna Throw Yer Granny Off a Bus!” (Granny). When the pandemic shut everything down last year, Chandler adapted the “Granny” play, which could no longer tour to seniors’ centres, into a podcast series. “We know there are listeners who have accessed resources after hearing that podcast in a virtual group,” she says. “Let’s get more people talking.”

To apply for the position of Communications Coordinator, and for more information, please contact: [email protected]

The deadline for applications is May 19, 2021.

Sheatre is an award-winning, community-engaged professional arts organization based in Grey-Bruce. They have 35 years of experience in creating and presenting interactive, issue-oriented theatre and the arts in rural and small urban communities. Their creative and rigorous approach creates meaningful – and measurable – change.

source: media release, Sheatre