Wolfville L'Arche Homefires Society growing together with community
News Release
The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Member of Parliament for Kings – Hants, today announced a Government of Canada contribution totaling $400,000 to the Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society (L’Arche) for infrastructure upgrades. Of this funding, $350,000 is being provided through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund and $50,000 through the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund.
With this support, the Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society will repurpose a former church hall in Wolfville, Nova Scotia to create a space to house all of its day programs under one roof. Currently operating in three locations across Kings County, the day programs provide a number of services, classes and support systems for its clients, including vocational training, support to adults with developmental disabilities and a retirement program.
The building renovations will increase the work space from 5,000 square feet to over 12,000 square feet. The new facility will be on two floors, each accessible with the installation of an elevator. The day programs will be located on one floor, enabling clients, particularly those with mobility issues, easy access to the wheelchair accessible washrooms, kitchen facilities, meeting rooms, a large community room and an expanded storefront.
The expanded storefront will enable the Society to increase its social enterprise activities by marketing the weaving, knitting and candles produced on-site, leading to increased revenues to improve the organization’s sustainability. It also provides an opportunity for clients to learn employability skills associated with the retail sector, such as money management, product display and customer service. Additionally, the storefront provides an opportunity for local crafters, living with disabilities, to place their work on consignment.
Through the generosity of many donors, foundations and supporters, L’Arche Homefires was able to fundraise $2.2 million dollars for the project.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is proud to support organizations such as the Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society. When all members of a community are empowered, they are able to build happier and healthier lives, allowing them to not only contribute, but to share in the prosperity of Canada.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
“The Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society has been a valuable resource for Kings County for over 35 years, offering services that help community members gain valuable life skills. Through a variety of programs, L’Arche provides the tools and support required to help people reach their full potential. This investment will have short and long term benefits through the creation of meaningful and productive job opportunities.”
- The Honourable Scott Brison, Member of Parliament for Kings - Hants
“Through the Building Our Dream campaign, L’Arche Homefires determined our clients needed a safe and accessible space to access our services, all under one roof. With this funding, our dream can become a reality as we create a fully-accessible facility for our work programs, community gatherings and more.”
- Sandy Fraser, Chair, Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society
Associated Links
Contacts
Alex Smith
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: alex.smith@canada.ca
Sandy Fraser
Chair
Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society
Phone: 902-679-7804
E-mail: serndy@eastlink.ca
Background:
L’Arche is part of an international organization, founded in 1964 in France, by Canadian Jean Vanier. Now, operating in 37 countries, L’Arche is dedicated to the creation and growth of communities through homes, programs and support networks with and for people who have intellectual disabilities.
As a cornerstone for the community of Wolfville for over three decades, Wolfville L’Arche Homefires Society now serves 21 people. The organization also owns and operates five homes, two apartments, and three day programs for its clients.
The Society's three day programs are as follows:
1) Applewicks - A vocational program producing weaving, knitting and candle making products sold in the storefront located at the entrance of the current facility;
2) Cornerstone - A day-program that supports adults whose level of disability is significant; and
3) Discoveries - A retirement program supporting people who are aging and can no longer attend a vocational or workshop program.
In addition to these programs, clients participate in cooking, and arts and crafts, as well as learning valuable life skills.
The three day programs are currently operated in three different locations in and around the town of Wolfville; Applewicks at Homefires and the two others at the Society-owned residential homes.
In March 2007, the Society began a planning process, Building Our Dream, which engaged core members (those with developmental and intellectual disabilities), assistants, staff and board members. The planning process identified the need for a fully-accessible building, a combined work space for program delivery, meeting rooms and a community gathering space, all contained in one building.
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Hon. Navdeep Singh Bains Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Society and Culture
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