The Kenora Association for Community Living would like to thank McDonald’s (charities) for their contribution and support to our Kids Galore Camp 2009. KACL was able to offer a unique inclusive experience for children ages 10-15 years of age. The teens and pre-teens that participated learned new skills, made friends of all abilities, all while exploring their community. As much local summer camp experiences tend to cater to children up to the age of 10 or 12, this camp captures the interest of students and families who want more age appropriate, interactive activities for their pre-teen and teen children. There were many opportunities for the students to learn about themselves and their community. Participants build relationships, learn about differences, explore recreation and leisure choices and make a difference in Kenora.

Children’s Services Department

Our Reason for Being: We are in the business of supporting children to have a meaningful and satisfying life in our community.

Our Goal:

The primary goal of the Children’s Services is to assist children and youth and their families who are at risk of a developmental delay, or who are over 6 and have been diagnosed with a cognitive disability, to achieve their goals. To assist the children and youth to develop to their optimum ability and live, learn and play in an inclusive community. Children’s Services is governed by the Kenora Association for Community Living, 
whose mission 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 continuous opportunities for personal growth through education, training, support, advocacy and an informed public. 

The following service delivery principles guide all services of the Association in the delivery of support to the people of Kenora:

1. Respect of an individual requires recognition of his or her humanity before his or her handicap
2. Everyone is deserving of respect as individuals.
3. All persons have the right to participate in all aspects of living, learning, working and playing in the community.
4. The manner and context within which support is offered should affirm normal patterns of living, learning, working     and playing in the community including normal needs, processes, relationships and rhythms of life.

Children’s Services provides intensive case management services using a hybrid combination of the personal strengths model and rehabilitation model. The service is provided within a family center philosophy that also tries to move the family towards a person centered ideology as the child enters adolescence.

Children’s Services encompasses support for children birth to 18 and their families through the Infant Development, Child and Youth, Autism and Kid’s Zone programs. The supports are flexible to the individual child and families needs. These services include home based, community and center based programs that are provided on an individual basis or through a group experience,l based on the child and families choice. The family and child's dreams desires and aspirations are always a priority. Individual family support plans are developed for each child and support is given to connect the family up with additional formal and informal supports in order to accomplish their goals.