 |
Kenora Association for Community LivingsNews Release |
|
|
801 Eighth Ave. South |
For Details, Contact: James Retson Phone Day (807) 467-5254 Cell467-2230 Night 468-3205 |
For Release 9 a.m. CDT June 26, 2008 |
Kenora, June 19 2009
 |
| James Retson, Executive Director watches Randy Seller present $5000 donation for Rotary Way Trail to Anita Rasmussen, President of the Kenora Association for Community Living |
The Kenora Association for Community Living is pleased to announce a grant from the Kenora Community Foundation for work on the Rotary Way trail. The Kenora Association for Community Living in Partnership with the Kenora Health Provider Groups and The Urban Trails Committee of the City of Kenora spear headed a campaign to raise funds for an accessible trail from Nairn Avenue to Rabbit lake that would be accessible by all persons including persons in wheelchairs and walkers. The total estimate of the cost of the trail to be completed by autumn 2008 is estimated to be approximately $30,000. Besides the Kenora Community Foundation major contributors to date include the Rotary Club, Retired Teachers of Ontario, Bell Alliant, Kenora Conservation Club, Thomas Aquinas High School and the City of Kenora. To Date over $26,500 has been raised.
An Asphalt walkway is being proposed to run from Nairn Avenue through the woods to Rabbit Lake. This pathway will be accessible by wheelchair and should provide a nice trail for individuals who would like to take an outing but cannot access many of the beautiful trails around the city of Kenora.
There are various paths or ways to a meaningful and satisfying life. For a long time persons with disabilities were excluded, intentionally by ideology (Its for their own good), by social stigma and by physical barriers. They were excluded from traveling on common paths with family, friends and colleagues. The Association for Community Living has worked hard over the last 2 decades to change public ideology and reduce social stigma. It has long advocated for the removal of physical barriers. It is now proposing to enter the arena in a positive way by raising funds for an accessible walk that all may share in common - a common path. It is hoped that this common path will act as a symbolic and concrete example of how a community may include rather than exclude.
In accepting the donation James Retson, Executive Director gave credit to the other partners in the project that made it not a Kenora Association for Community Living project but truly a community project involving several community parties. Mr. Retson recognized the initial work of the Kenora Health Providers Group, a body of representatives representing the Health and Social Services sector, their facilitator of three years, John Moore, and coordinator Dan Essery, The Rotary Club the largest contributor along with the Kenora Association for Community Living, the Retired Teachers of Ontario and other contributors such as Bell Alliant and the Kenora Conservation Club.
He also recognized the individuals who made up the working force of the Kenora Community Foundation including some 80 volunteers. He recognized the Board of the Foundation who worked to make the community of Kenora a better community for the sake of all its citizens.
Anita Rasmussen, President of the Kenora Association for Community Living, in accepting the donation, indicated the Kenora Association was an Association that envisions a community where "....all persons have the opportunity to live a meaningful and satisfying lifestyle, and be able to interact as equals in the community." While this vision may seem unduly idealistic to some; she believes it is attainable.
Speaking of the Kenora Association for Community Living, she further indicated:
"We believe that a community that excludes some of its members cannot truly call itself a "community". We also believe that it is not enough to ensure that people's basic needs are met. While these are undoubtedly important, people need much more in order to live meaningful, satisfying lives."
"People need to feel welcome in their community in all its aspects, to be full participants in its recreation, sports, leisure and cultural activities. Only then can we call ourselves a truly accepting, inclusive community. The generosity of the Kenora Community Foundation and the Moffat Family this evening has allowed us to take another step toward that goal. It has renewed my hope, and I thank you."
The Kenora Association for Community Living gratefully acknowledges the financial support of The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation, which is a public foundation serving the people of Kenora, Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls, Minaki, Reddit, the First Nation Territories and the unincorporated areas surrounding Lake of the Woods. The Foundation builds permanently endowed charitable funds for the changing need and opportunities of the community and provides grants to eligible charitable organizations in the fields of; arts and culture, health and wellness, the environment, social welfare and the community fund”.
Since it was established in 2001 with $100 million, the Moffat Family Fund has donated about $25 million to various charities helping underprivileged children and needy families. Since 2004, the Moffat Family Fund has been helping to strengthen community life in the Kenora and the Lake of the Woods Region with an annual granting of $50,000.
Randy Seller, Chairman of the Community Foundation's Grants Committee indicated "The Moffat Family Fund is directed to programs giving children, families and disadvantaged communities an equal chance in society
The Kenora Community Foundation is an independent, volunteer driven, registered charitable organization that helps facilitate community philanthropy, by working with both donors and local charities.
It has established a collection of charitable funds, donated by people from all walks of life who have one thing in common - the desire to make a difference in their community - forever. All donations stay in our communities: Kenora, Reddit, Minaki, First Nations Territories, Sioux Narrows - Nestor Falls and the unincorporated territories surrounding Lake of the Woods.
The income from these investments is then used to make grants to support local registered charities, while the capital remains untouched. Since 2004, over forty registered charities have received grants. Donations made today will generate gifts in perpetuity.
Since 2004, the foundation has gifted $333,000 to over forty different registered charities in the Lake of the Woods Region
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.
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. 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 a Kids'Zone Day care Program, Children and Youth Programs, Options for Adults (Residentiaol Supports, Vocational Supports, Community Access and Day Support programs for Persons with Developmental handicaps and Community Mental Health Supports for persons with Intensive Case Management Needs and Psychiatric Disabilities 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.