About the Family Project
The Family Project is funded by Human Resources Social Development Canada's Social Development Partnership Program, Community Inclusion Initiative.
Community Inclusion means having the ability to participate fully, to contribute to one's community to the fullest extent desired, and to have value attached to your participation and contribution.
Another word for inclusion is belonging. Belonging means being accepted, welcomed and valued no matter what your abilities.
The goal of this project is to support and work together with families to bring about change so that families and their relatives with disabilities are welcomed into community life.
The Family Project:
- researches and acts on community needs
- consults with families
- develops programs and services to meet the needs of families supporting a member with a disability
- provides education about the importance of inclusion
- provides advocacy and support
- works towards developing community understanding, acceptance and the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Impact in the NWT
The Yellowknife Association for Community Living has received $80,000 a year since 1998 through the Community Inclusion Initiative to increase the community inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Some of our projects include:
- employment support
- the Fort Rae Disability Project
- Inclusive Education Forum 2005
- the Pamiqsiut Association for Community Living
- the Respite Service
- Various workshops, forums and consultations for people with disabilities, parents, professionals, direct service providers and the general public.
- Engaging Community Consultation 2005
- the "Inclusion Challenge"
- Family Networking Group
- Public Forum on Family and Disability Supports 2008
- Publications such as "We All Belong", "Social and Recreational Inclusion - A How To Guide", "Parent and School Partnerships - Making it Work"
Contact Information:
Mimi Kennedy, Director of Family & Children Services
Yellowknife Association for Community Living
Phone: (867) 766-4295 Ext 201
Fax: (867) 669-7826
E-mail: inclusion@ykacl.ca
