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Kenora Association for Community LivingsNews Release |
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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
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| Penny Beal and Joan Wise presents Retired Teachers of Ontario's "Service to Others" cheque for $3500 to Kenora Association for Community Living's Executive Director, James Retson |
The Kenora Association for Community Living is pleased to announce a donation of $3500 from Retired Teachers Association 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 cost of the trail to be completed by autumn 2008 is estimated to be approximately $30,000. Besides the Retired Teacher's Association donation other major contributors to date include the Rotary Club, Kenora Community Foundation, Bell Alliant, Kenora Conservation Club, Thomas Aquinas High School and the City of Kenora. To Date over $26,400 has been raised.
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.