MPP Rickford Announces Support for Youth Developmental Services
KENORA – Today, Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora – Rainy River, announced the Ontario government is providing the Kenora Association for Community Living (KACL) with up to $900,000 through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. This investment will support and facilitate the construction of a six-unit mixed tenancy complex housing option, including three units for Transitional-Aged Youth (TAY), in addition to three units for Residential Support Waitlist and Respite Clients in Kenora.
“Kenora Association for Community Living and Kenora District Services Board play a crucial role in the Northwest by providing essential services for some of the most vulnerable community members in our region,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora–Rainy River. “Today’s funding announcement underscores our government’s commitment to ensuring they have the facilities needed to continue their important work, as well as our goal of enhancing health, social, and economic outcomes for transitional-aged youth in Kenora–Rainy River.”
The project is being delivered in partnership with KDSB providing the land, contractor, and construction project oversight, and KACL providing staff and services on-site.
“We want to thank the Honourable Minister Rickford, the Honourable Minister Parsa and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for their support for the ‘Home of my Own’ project,” said Henry Wall, Chief Administrative Officer of the Kenora District Services Board. “This funding enables the KDSB’s and KACL’s collective vision in building a unique multi-faceted, wholistic housing model that will provide better housing for transitional-aged youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This project will improve the lives of families in Kenora and support strategic goals of KDSB’s Ten-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan.”
“This ‘Home of My Own’ project will let 6 young adults who choose to call this home, make the personal choices in their daily lives that many of us take for granted – typical choices that make up a typical life that are too often denied if you are a young Canadian living with an intellectual disability,” said Deborah Everley, CEO of Kenora Association for Community Living. “This investment by MCCSS in our community supports the commitment by our partners, specifically the City of Kenora, and KDSB, to begin to reduce the significant barriers for some of many people with intellectual disabilities who are waiting for a safe, affordable and appropriate housing option in our community.”
Working with community partners, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funds, designs and delivers programs and services to support Ontarians in building thriving and resilient communities. Each year the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services invests in projects across Ontario that support not for profit organizations, municipalities, and Indigenous communities to advance planning and construction related to community development initiatives.
“The Kenora Association for Community Living is a key partner in helping us build a more responsive and inclusive developmental services system where everyone has the supports they need to succeed and thrive,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “The construction of these six units will reduce barriers and connect more individuals to housing supports in Kenora, helping them live independently in their communities.”
QUICK FACTS
- Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion lays out Ontario’s long-term vision for developmental services in Ontario, where people with developmental disabilities are supported to fully participate in their communities and live fulfilling lives.
- Transitional aged youth are individuals in the North Region 14-18 years of age who may transfer to adult developmental services.