Kincardine Community Living requests regular use of old seniors' room at Davidson Centre

Community Living of Kincardine and District is requesting a formal arrangement with the Municipality of Kincardine for use of the old seniors' room in the Davidson Centre, on a regular basis.

Jane Hoy, community support supervisor, and Beth French, community development co-ordinator, at Community Living, brought the request to council in committee-of-the-whole last night (Aug. 10).

Hoy said the agency has been working over the past several years to transform and modernize its historical "day program," shifting it to a support service that encourages and prioritizes individual participation in a wide variety of community-based activities, including recreation programs, art classes, volunteer opportunities, ongoing education and employment.

"A key success in this transformative process has been relocating the hub of our Community Participation Support (CPS) services away from the Community Living administrative building and, instead, accessing a variety of community spaces and locations, including the Davidson Centre," she said.

The CPS program is currently utilizing the old seniors' room twice a week, said Hoy, and has developed positive relationships with the staff and patrons of the Davidson Centre. This has helped Community Living's supported individuals experience a greater sense of belonging as members of the community, she said.

"The ability to easily access the various community spaces within the Davidson Centre has also enabled Community Living to offer a greater range of enrichment opportunities to our members, including activities such as theatre, dance, music and recreation," she said. "Community Living hopes to build on this success and solidify a formal partnership with the municipality and the staff at the Davidson Centre."

The agency wants to formally rent the old seniors' room at the Davidson Centre, from Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for a monthly rent of $300, over a two-year period, said Hoy. Currently, the agency is renting the room for two days per week, at a rate of $2 per person. The plan is to expand the CPS program to five days per week, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and provide a more consistent and stable rent to the Davidson Centre.

Hoy noted that this will not interfere with the municipality renting the old seniors' room to the public during evenings and weekends.

The other request is to rebrand the old seniors' room into the "Inspiring Possibilities" room, said Hoy.

"Community Living envisions a welcoming space, open to all community members, and is prepared to enhance the room in order to create an inviting and comfortable atmosphere," she said. The agency would also take the lead in applying for grants and sourcing funding to make physical upgrades, purchasing furniture and bringing in a variety of supplies, games and activities.

French said that isolating people with disabilities is not beneficial to them or the community. She noted that Community Living has received two Trillium grants - one for the volunteer program, and one to help reduce the isolation of people with disabilities.

"As an agency, we want to foster opportunities for people with disabilities, making them full members of the community," said French. "The Davidson Centre is the hub of the community. We want to use this program as a launch pad for other opportunities in the community."

She said it's a win-win for everyone. It increases the programs for Community Living members and the greater community, such as Cooking for Youth which saw 12 participants, four of which were supported individuals. And secondly, it creates a community space where everyone can go and feel welcome.

French said that she and Hoy have been invited to speak at the Community Living Ontario conference, regarding the development of inclusive programming in communities, based on the success in Kincardine.

"Thank you for your delegation," said mayor Anne Eadie. "We will send it to staff for a report back to council. What kind of timeline are you considering?"

French said the agency is excited to move ahead in early fall.

"We will ask staff to bring a report in early September and then we can make a decision," said Eadie.

"Unless staff comes back with something earth-shattering, I'm completely supportive of this idea," said deputy mayor Jacqueline Faubert.

"I agree it's a wonderful idea," said Eadie. "It's indicative of all programs for inclusiveness."

French added that Community Living of Kincardine and District is hosting the All Abilities Beachside Run, Sept. 4, for those who wish to participate. "We hope to grow it into a fun weekend," she said.

For details on the Beachside Run, check the website, at raceroster.com/events/2016/8595/2016-all-abilities-beachside-run