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Kenora Association for Community Livings 801 Kenora, On P9N 3Z9 Phone 807-467-5225 Fax 807-467-5247 Email |
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For
Details, Contact: Jim Retson KACL Phone (807) 467-5225 |
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For Release 9 a.m. CDT |
Kenora Association for Community Living news release
Community Living in Kenora Month
Kenora,
The Kenora Association for Community Living commenced Community Living in Kenora Month by holding its annual meeting on Thursday, June 2.
Annual Financials statements were presented by Claudine Cordeiro of BDO Dunwoody. Total expenditures for programs of the Association rounded out at $6.5 million. After transfers to cover non-government funded capital expenditures the Association was left with an excess of revenue over expenditures of $19,431 down from a deficit of $100,869 the year before.While net assets of slightly less that $450,000 were somewhat small for the size of the Association's operation Ms Cordeiro praised the Association for the financial management and stewardship and indicated the Auditors had no concerns for the financial viability of the Organization.
Recognition was given to staff of 15 years including Greg Heath, Carey Heron, Jackie Fernandez, and Marlene Kilfoyle. Executive Director James Retson was recognized for 20 years of service. Board members elected to a 3 year term included Russell Havill, Marion Jackson and Lucia Melnick.
Greetings from the local Kenora People First membership was brought to the Association by Robert Gordon who read from a prepared text he had written using his literacy training received from the Association.
Guess speaker for the annual meeting was Colleen Neil. Ms Neil in a most informative report on trends in recreation and the story of the local Recreation centre entitled From Recreation to Wellness - A Shift in Delivery suggested that KACL was facing many of the same experiences.
Quoting from "The future of Parks and Recreation Dec 2001, a
presentation and research by Brian Johnston, president of Professional
Recreation Consultants Ltd
She indicated, "We are in the Business of Building Citizens,
Families and Communities"
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Trends identified
10 trends facing both the population at large and the Consumers and families
served by Demographics: (1) Aging Population, (2) Widening gaps between
the "haves" and "have nots" (3) Increasing diversity; Psychographics:
(4) Experiential Hedonism, (5) Spiritual Quest - or what life is all about,
(6) Declining Trust in (BIG) Institutions; Leisure Behaviour: (7) Structured
to Informal (Activity), (8) Declining volunteers, (9) Activity Levels in
Children Declining and (10) Facilities more popular but in decline.
She reviewed the extensive research that went into getting the new rec centre off the ground. The Project goals for the rec centre included a focal point for family and community activities, promotion of health and wellness, something for everyone, a multi-purpose facility responding to the needs of the community and changes in program delivery. Consumers and families were kept in sight through out the planning process.
In both the introduction to the guest speaker by Executive Director and in the Thank you delivered by KACL Board member Doug Keshen Ms Neil was thanked for her contributions in ensuring that consumers were included in the community and recreation activities.
Parent Lil Bergman speaking impromptu spoke of her disappointment with Premier McGuinty. She deplored the lack of funding for seniors, the disabled and persons with special needs. She encouraged members to send in letters protesting the lack of funding.
Events for the month include the Official opening of the new toddler program on June 9, the opening of the new Community Mental Health Support Services office on Thursday June 16 and a community picnic on June 24 at Anicinabe Park.
Supplemental Material for
Community Living month
Executive Director James Retson indicated that this was the first year that the Association had chosen an entire month to celebrate Community Living. The Kenora Association for Community Living was one of the first in the province to switch its name to community living. The Association changed its name in favour of Community Living in 1986 to reflect the goals of the Association. The move was instigated by consumers of the Association who rejected negative labels for persons with special needs.
The Executive Director who has completed his 20th year with the Association praised the current Board and previous Boards and Presidents who have worked tirelessly for the Association over the past some 45 years. You couldn’t find a more dedicated group for which he has had the honour to serve for 2 decades. "The Boards of our Association have stood tall and strong for the values of Community Living: recognition of humanity before handicap, respect of everyone as an individual, the right to self-determination and control, the right to live learn, work and play in their own community and the right of all to pursue their own dreams, desires and aspirations."
The Executive Director indicated that much work remained to continue the expansion of community living in Kenora. He indicated that the Association had to get better in assisting families to build stronger personal support networks. Further, he indicated that the Association had to get better at educating families and consumers that there was nothing wrong with asking their fellow citizens for help. The only disability is having no permanent personal and caring relationships.
President Dave Lillico expressed his appreciation for the work of the Children Services program for disability Awareness work in local schools. Children services staff, in addition to traditional disability awareness programs dealing with labelling and specific disabilities are starting to talk about how all children are good at some things and not others, about put ups as well as put downs and how acts of kindness benefit both doers and receivers of the acts of kindness.
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Additional Information on Kenora
Association for Community Living |
Kenora Association for Community Living was originally formed as a Parent Advocacy group in 1960. It became an affiliated member of the Ontario Association for Retarded Children (currently Community Living Ontario) in April 1961. It became incorporated on December 27 1963 as the Kenora-Keewatin District Association for Mentally Retarded Children. It changed its name to Kenora Association for Community Living in 1986 to reflect current attitudes with respect to negative labels for persons with special needs.
Mission Statement: The mission statement of KACL is to ensure that all people with special needs have the opportunity to live a meaningful and satisfying lifestyle and interact as an equal in their community by providing continuing opportunities for personal growth through education, training, support, advocacy and an informed public.
Membership is open to persons who support the mission of the Association.
Programs offering planning, support and individualized funding to persons with special needs include adult community residential and vocational support programs, Children and Youth Programs, and a Kids Zone Day care Program
The Kids Zone program currently supports 10 Toddlers (18 months to 2.5 years), 16 juniors (2.5 to 4 years) and 20 seniors (4 years to 6 years) in the winter months and 30 in the summer. It also operates a Before and After Kids Zone Program for 6 to 10 year olds.