Sudbury organization launches awareness campaign
A Sudbury non-profit organization dedicated to helping those with developmental disabilities launched an awareness campaign Wednesday.
Roughly 100 people were at Science North for the launch of L’Arche Sudbury’s ‘It’s Home’ campaign.
While L’Arche has been serving the community for close to four decades, organizers said there are still a lot of people who don’t know who they are or what they do.
The organization provides an inclusive space for those with and without developmental disabilities to maintain their independence as much as possible. There are currently three facilities across the city.
L’Arche said, upon getting feedback from a number of members, it realized the concept of ‘home’ was changing.
“Some of the younger residents in Sudbury are looking for a slightly different concept of home,” said Heather Westaway, board member for L’Arche.
“They’re looking for a slightly more independent lifestyle where they can have their own space and yet the services they need to thrive and be independent.”
L’Arche is working to secure government funding to build a fourth facility in Minnow Lake. The proposed facility will be fully accessible and will offer community programs.
Currently, L’Arche said 180 people are on a waitlist for services.
“The waitlist numbers have just increased for residential supports, family homes support, supportive independent living,” said executive director Jennifer McCauley.
McCauley said finding housing is a barrier.
“It’s so difficult for people to find an apartment to live in and get the supports in place to make that happen,” she said.
There are a number of residents who are happy where they are living, McCauley said, but don’t have community programs available.
“A lot of people really want an activity to participate in with like-minded people and that’s not available to all people or the facilities in the city are already maxed out.”
The estimated cost of the project is $24 million. L’Arche is looking for municipal, provincial and federal funding first. The remaining $4 million will be covered through public fundraising.
McCauley said L’Arche is accepting financial donations ahead of time to help with the cost, but she said, above all, it’s about spreading the word of what they do.
“Our hearts are attached to the mission,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.