Grassroots
Community Inclusion |
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This initiative is a major community development strategy designed
by the SACL and supported by funding from the Government of Canada’s
Social Development Partnership Program. Provincial partners include
the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres, People First
Saskatchewan, and the Community Living Division of the government.
A multitude of creative initiatives developed at the grassroots
level by concerned people around the province is vetted each year
in applications for start-up funding. They are making strides in
the way people with disabilities are welcomed and supported in all
aspects of life. For a national view, visit http://www.communityinclusion.ca.
Funding supports creative, innovative supports for inclusion
These innovative projects received funding from the Grassroots
Response Fund to support the inclusion and participation of people
with disabilities in communities around the province.
Summer Sensations, Weyburn
One thousand dollars supported the involvement of children with
intellectual disabilities in regularly offered summer programs in
Weyburn (swim classes, gymnastics classes, and other programs).
The goal is to help the local recreation board see that successful
inclusive programs can be achieved with the proper supports.
Art-Ability, Prince Albert
The Prince Albert Art Gallery received $3,500 to offer children’s
summer art classes on an inclusive basis for the first time, thanks
to this grant. Children and youth with intellectual disabilities
were supported to participate, along with non-disabled children,
in art classes that have not been inclusive in the past. This was
a pilot project for the Art Gallery and the hope is that the gallery
will be able to present inclusive classes regularly in the future.
Community Caregiver and Companion Youth Leadership Project,
Saskatoon
With $3,650, students from senior high school and university/college
classes are being trained to serve as respite workers, companions
and caregivers for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Training
is provided by the Led by the Spirit organization as part of their
work towards establishing a L’Arche community in Saskatoon.
High School Inclusive Naturalization Project, Lumsden
High school students in Lumsden have been preparing for two changes
in their school - the development of a nature area on their
school grounds, and the arrival of students with intellectual disabilities
in the fall. The students want to make sure that the nature area
is fully accessible and they want to learn about how they can be
inclusive. In response to a student-driven proposal, Grassroots
support will help students learn about disabilities and inclusion.
(For more information about funds available to support local initiatives,
contact Judy Hannah, Grassroots Alliance, SACL, (306) 955-3344 or
email: [email protected].)
Other Current
Grassroots Projects
SACL’s Grassroots Alliance Community Inclusion Project, in
partnership with the Department of Social Development (formerly
HRDC), has been operating at full steam this year.The impact of
our efforts have been felt around the province with projects such
as:
The Adopt-an-MLA campaign - the Leadership
committee of the Grassroots Alliance gave birth to this idea, which
has MLAs “adopted” by families inviting their MLAs to
their homes for coffee. The goal is to allow the MLAs to gain a
real understanding of the issues that face families and individuals
who live with an intellectual disability. As of the official kickoff
at the MLA Breakfast at the Legislature, 17 MLAs had been adopted
with more on the way.
The Election Questions campaign - to raise
the profile of disability issues in the 2003 provincial election
questions addressing disability issues were sent out across the
province to voters. People were encouraged to ask questions when
candidates contacted them. Responses from candidates were shared
via email.
The Self-Advocacy Project continues to grow! Members
of the SAAG group have had their busiest year ever. They were able
to realize some longtime goals as they had their first opportunities
to speak to high school, college and university students. Members
of the group also began training to be facilitators of the Just
Say Know program and to be a puppeteer with the Kids on the Block
program. New members have joined, but with the increasing demand
for their presentations, more members are needed. Working closely
with President Patty Kubanowski and People First Saskatchewan is
important to both SAAG and Grassroots. Tabatha Bodie, the self-advocacy
facilitator, is providing support to People First Saskatchewan.
Several joint events between SAAG and PFS have been held. Grassroots
supported People First in publishing their book Life Landscapes:
Saskatchewan Advocates Stories of Success.
Looking at the need for Inclusive Housing, the Grassroots Alliance
sponsored a one-day information session on Funding for Housing
projects. Speakers from five funding groups participated.
The Regina Inclusive Housing project also shared their vision for
a truly inclusive community. Over 17 communities participated.
Individualized Funding was the focus of four sessions
in late March, including one meeting with the Partnership. This
project has helped to stimulate discussion across the province.
Work has begun on developing a Youth initiative for SACL. Two people
attended CACL’s Youth Forum in Ottawa in March.
Projects that received funding under the Grassroots Response Fund
include:
- Building Effective Skills to Cope with Anger - Family Service
Regina
- Community Living in Action Conference - Lloydminster
- Facilitating Social Networks - Regina
- A discussion guide to accompany the Choices video - SAAG
- Integrating individuals with intellectual disabilities into
community arts and sports programs - Moose Jaw
For further
details on the Grassroots Alliance, any of these projects or funding
application information, contact Judy Hannah, co-ordinator, (306) 955-3344;
fax (306) 373-3070 or email [email protected].
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