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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1988-04-27, Page 3Times -Advocate, April 27, 1988 Page 3 SHDAMH focuses on integrating clients into the community By Yvonne Reynolds An old French proverb says that "The more things change, the more they remain the same". This could be applied to the South Huron and - District Association for the Mental- ly handicapped, whose purpose has remained unchanged throughout its 20 -year history. What Doris Nobcs de Burgh, vice-president of the Ontario Asso- ciation, told her audience of 150 at the inaugural meeting held in >j;xet- regular work force. One impetus for this has come from the provincial government. A document titled "Challenges and Opportunities: Community Living for People with Developmental Handicaps" outlines the desired change in direction. The ministry of community and social services has a long-term plan to gradually phase out institutional placement of people with developmental handi- caps, and establishinent of a com- READY TO BAKE - ARC Industries employees Gorda Peters (left) and illiane Chojecki get everything ready for one of the tri -weekly baking ses- sior.s which supply bread and rolls to four local group homes and bread and pies to a local restaurant. er Public School on January 26, 1968, is still valid: "The mentally retarded have long been in the shad- ows, but through the efforts of de- dicated people they are now able to join society...Our primary objective is to help them to learn to live in . the community with others." SHDAMH's goal as set out in the 1988 Flowers of Hope campaign brochure states their determination that "all persons live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of liv- ing in the community and have the opportunity to participate effective- ly,' A recent change in philosophy and attitude is affecting the method of achieving. this objcotive. In the past, service to developmentally handicapped youngsters and adults has been provided through separate school facilities, group homes and sheltered workshops. The emphasis now is on tailoring service to indi- vidual needs, and actively assisting those who wish to live by them- selves and be integrated into the Huron Hope Nursery School in prchensivc service system to give them all the support they require to. stay in their hoine communities. Last April SHDAMH held a re- treat at Oakwood Inn for staff, vol- unteers, parents and interested per- sons from the community to consider how best to adapt the min- istry's- directive to the local situa- tion. "Because so many parents wanted integration,"wc have to broaden -our scrvicc to provide more", summar- ized SHDAMH. president Victor Knip. As a result of the retreat, a task force committee presented a sheaf of recommendations to the board in January. The recommendations have been circulated to staff, cli- ents, municipal and board of educa- tion officials. The integration process .had al- ready begun in 1984, with the transfer of eight senior students at the Huron Hope School to a class- room at the Exeter high school. It continued with the closure of the June 1987. Developmentally handicapped youngsters are now enrolled in nur- sery schools or day care in their lo- cal communities, and enter the reg- ular school system at age five. A resource teacher was hired to travel . around to the various facilities, providing support and assisting with teaching, and act as a link be- tween the nursery school and the home. "Kids learn from each other" said SHDAMH executive director John Gray, noting that if developmental- ly handicapped youngsters have only each other as models, they pick up undesirable behavior. On the other hand, major beneficial changes are observed in those moved from institutions to group homes. Under the residential program the tenants have assigned duties, and take some responsibility for both their basic needs and the operation of the homes. .Supervisory staff assist with shopping, banking, household management and any other assistance required to enable thc clients to live as independently as possible. The Supported Indepenc' • ing program provides servi. those living in their own ap,,it- ments, according to individual sup- port levels required. The recent changes at ARC In- dustries, the sheltered workshop in Dashwood, are another example of how the change in focus is being implemented. The -contract work such as printing of -bulletins and brochures formerly done by ARC clients employed in the office has been discontinued. Now, instead of supervising the office, staff member Debbie Wilbec heads Em- ployment Services, with the re- sponsibility of finding work in the community for clients who want to work elsewhere.- - "Some have the capability, but never had the opportunity" was Gray's explanation for eliminating. an internal job situation to create an external one. The change is simply an expan- sion of options for clients who have the ability and the desire for More independence. ARC will still offer a quality work situation for those who want to stay in the steel- - tered workshop environment. In fact, Gray would tike to see the woodworking department ex- pand and become more self- sufficient. The employees now turn out slatted chicken floors for Horizon Chicks, pallets for. Fleck and Krug Furniture, and crates for Kongskilde, -Holland Hitch and Holland Equipment as well stakes for Union Gas and Ian sur- , veyors. The lawn furnJ,ure tine was phased out because e ever ris- ing cost of good , od made the product too expe . we. Mc 51 crnp oyccs at ARC can gain work efcperiencc in a variety of lepartme its at ARC. Autontotivi wire assemblies and drainage flags are packaged in the Industrial Con- tracts division. Food Services sup- plies pies and rolls to a local re- staurant, bread and rolls to the three group residences in Exeter and the one -in Heasall, and distributes fruitcakes at Christmas as a fund- raiser. Last: year 1,70() pounds of cake were sold. Lawn care, which was seasonal, has been replaced with a year-round janitorial service, Main Street Jani- torial. Currently ARC crews clean Darlings IGA, Mt. Carmel United C arch, three Huron Park plants d the Grand Bend'laundromat. he employees are paid -the mini= mum- wage for the hours worked. In the four months the new pro- gram has been in effect. 14 ARC cinployees have.applied for outside work through Employment Servic- es. Vocational Services director Don Appleby foresees "a lot of and we are looking for ways to hook them up, to connect people with similar interests", Gray said. Among his suggestions arc invita- tions to a ball game, or to dinner. "Whew we create as natural a living situation as possible, we can with- draw from those areas where friends can take over", he added. Gray is certain that barriers of WHAT'S COOKING? - Anrie Fydenchuck (left) stirs up some vegetable soup while Dorothy Schultz makes sandwiches as the food Services de- partment prepares lunch for ARC employees and staff. MAKING CRATES - ARC employee Paul Consitt likes putting together crates and pallets in the woodworking shop.. fear, lack of knowledge and under- standing will disappear as personal relationships grow. He would. be_ delightedto hear from people who want to share their time. • The Association wants to - see family and friends acting as: prime that initial placements are success -_advocates, and helping with dcci ful'l, Gray elaborated. slops. Increased social .integration is. an- other focus- The Association hopes. to encourage more one-to- one relationships between their cli- ents and the community Consider- ation is being given to expanding the Friendship program. Currently developmentally handicapped young people and their paired partners (volunteer adults) meet every Thursday night in Exeter United Church for Bible study, fun and fel- lowship. "We would • like to sec more in- •volvcmcnt. We want to foster car- ing relationships. There arc a lot of caring people in this community, good things" in the new direction. "Employment support is ttic way to be going. It's one more oppor- tunity for the individual 10 progress", he said, but cautioned the transition will take time. "We will move slowly, to ensure ....:.:� 'z: ••�,:- o x i b .:g..., x .ate .,x f,.,:tr::"•; f:F;.c•.>;:.":!..:';%. . s'r".z;'�:'�,.:..�•.f': r^s. a�%':::.: : a;r,.£'�' a, „s �-- x^ ex r iH..,! :s.;�i %�!d The developmentally handicapped arc also learning how to speak out for themselves. "People First", a provincial movement, now has charters in South Huron, Goderich and Wingham. One member has been appointed to Ontario's Com- munity Living Board. Compressing thc SHDAMH's role into three sentences, Knip ob- served that "A group of people did a fantastic job 20 years ago. - Now parents, society, and government all want change, and the Association is in thc middle. We are here to serve everyone- those who don't want change as well as those who do." gatatigilattlitttAtitiatilinalla SHDAMH celebrates 20 years of accomplishment By Yvonne Reynolds .The South Huron and District As- sociation for the Mentally Handi- capped can look back on a list of re- - markable accomplishments since its inception two decades ago. The first organizational meeting; attended by 150 people, was held in the Exctcr Public School on Janu- ary 28, 1968; 110 individuals and eight scrvicc groups took out char - by Walter Fydenchuk. The cam- paign has grown remarkably over the ycars. Over S19,000 was col- lected in 1987, and about 500 vol- unteers arc now planning the 1988 campaign to bring in S20,000. The initial priority was a school for all ages. The first classroom was set up in a small room at the Exctcr high school, with volunteer teachers and drivers. As more chil- dren enrolled, the school outgrew HAVING FUN - Bus trips are among enjoyed by group home residents. Her ter membership. The charter execu- tive was comprised of president Ron Hcimrich, 1st v/p Alma God - bolt, corresponding secretary Mar- garet Purdy, recording secretary Hil- da Smith and treasurer Lee Dobbs. That year also saw the first local Flowers of Hope Campaign, headed the Kon skilde buildin in north In September, 1970, operation of g g the school was assumed by the Hu- Exctcr, and a fund-raising campaign ron County Board of Education. In headed by Van-Raay was launched two years, the school had developed with a $5 a plate dinner toward a from one empty classroom, 'four goal of $96,000. Children and no supplies to a well- Raising the money was a com- equipped two -room school with 15 munity affair. Everyone got into students and room for many more. the act - individuals, service clubs, The Association began nursery lodges, industries, recreational or - school classes for children under six ganizations and businesses, area years of age in the basement of the schools - you name it. There were Crediton Community Centre in bake sales, raffles, bottle drives, 1969. This was later moved to do- rog any- natcd quarters in talc Alhambra Hall thing else that would bring in some south of Grand Bend where a fully cash. licenced nursery school was con- The day the final papers were to ducted by specially trained teachers be signed on the Exctcr property, and volunteer workers. the Association received an offer it in 1771 the village of Grand Bend could not refuse. Dashwood Indus-' agreed to take over operation of the tries Limited, with Maurice nursery school to allow the school Klumpp as chairman of the board, to qualify for an 80 -percent grant. offered a cash donation of $110,000 Through the ycars the nursery . to allow the Association to buy its school moved seven times, ending recently vacated facilities consisting up back at McCurdy in 1982. It of a 37,000square-foot plant and a was closed last year. two-storey residence in Dashwood A group of district young people for $110,500. This exceedingly formed a local branch of YACMR, generous gesture made possible a Youth Across Canada for the Men- more comprehensive program than tally Retarded in 1971. Adrienne originally planned. Van Raay was the first president. Tenders were called for renova- Adrienne's father, Cas Van tions. When the results came back, Raay, was a major driving force be- several people felt it was impossi- atind the campaign to provide an ble to raise money for such a pro- -adult sheltered workshop. The ject• (No government money was. the social and recreational activities e some pose with their tour guides. 113 accommodation at SHDHS and was moved to an empty room at JAD McCurdy Public School in Hi:, in Park. Huron Hope School was one first schools for the trainable .,1rded to be established in a public school. Ilcr-skatin marathons and South Huron Asociation initially ava) aay's worked with the Godcrich and faith, foresight, optimism and deter- Wingham Associations to obtain a mination kept the rest of the Board county workshop. In 1972 a mo- going. according to SHDAMH his - tion was passed to purchase a 100- —torian Ann Klungel. In 1973 the Exeter Kinsmen and the Legion Auxiliary coordinated a canvass for the $116,000 plus $5,000 contingency total of the winning tender from a London con- sruction Company. - The building at the northern end of the property was sold to James Kncalc and Mel Gaiser, who in turn leased it to Tillotson Plastics Inc. of Weston, a major plastic mould- ing supplier for Dashwood Indus- tries. DI provided a $13,000 inter- est free loan. Despite all this, the fund was still $10,000 short. An appeal for per- sonal loans was made to the board of directors, with the understanding that if it did not work out, lenders risked losing their money. Those who answered the appeal turned the nine percent interest back to the Association. (All the loans were paid off within five years.) ARC Industries opened officially on October 24, 1974, with an ca- pacity of 70 trainees. The original enrollment of five grew to 25 with- in the first year, and is now 51. Some formerly at ARC have left to enter the labour market. Workshop manager Don Rawl- ilable at this time. Van R acre farm south of Clinton, but the deal fell through when Godcrich and Wingham backed out. South Huron decided to "go it alone". An option was signed on SHORT BREAK - Some of the employees in the Industrial Contracts division at ARC Industries pause to Dose for the camera before continuing to package automotive parts. ings was quoted as saying "This is not a charitable venture but an edu- cational institution. We arc not do- ing the trainees a favour, but giv- ing them a chance to do for themselves." Community support continued. Grand Bend Lions donated a 15 - passenger bus to transport the trai- nees. In the next year, donations by Dashwood Men's Club, Exeter Rcbckahs and Oddfcllows, Exctcr Christian School Society, the Exct- er Rodeo Committee and others, plus government grants, allowed expansion of facilities. Thc ARC bakeshop opened in 1977 with financial support from Alhambra Lodgc, and evolved into a retail and wholesale business. By Christmas 1982, 5,000 Christmas cakcs were distributed through one-half the appraised value if used for community work. The pur- chase was approved, assisted by a low-cost loan from the UC head of- fice. The residence, leased to SHAMR to house four ARC trai- nees, opened in November of 1975. A residence on John St. for nine adults and one relief bed opened in 1978. This residence was vacated in 1986, when the residents moved to two new homes on George and An- drew Sts. The James St. residents have since moved into an apartment in 1lensall. The Albert St. residence with space for seven adults opened in 1983 after the Blue Water Centre outside Goderich was closed. Thc expert guiding hand of Don Campbell; appointed Association executive director in Janu 1977, DOING THEIR JOB - Terry Gibb is on mainttinance duty while recep- tionist Doug Deline sorts out automotive parts between phone calls. Both are ARC Industries employees. schools and service clubs. in 1984 the retail shop was closed, and thc program relocated in the main building under the supervison of the food scrvicc division. Thc Shipka community centre raised 5500 to enable ARC to pur- chase woodworking and silk screen- ing equipment. As ARC grew, the woodworking space became, too small to accom- modate the hired staff that had re- placed the volunteers who first su- pervised the operation. The building which had been sold in the beginning was bought back, and plant number two opened in 1983 to house the woodworking, mainte- nance and job placement programs. The focus shifted to a residential program in 1975. Mrs. J.M. Southcott offered property at the comer of James and Andrew Streets to the Exctcr United Church for was at the helm during this period of steady growth. He was succeeded by John Gray in 1985. A $1,000,(XX) fire at ARC indus- ries made the headlines in Septem- ber, 1982. 'Destroyed wcrc a ware- house, the building housing a soil processing project, and woodwork- ing inventory. Nearby homes were extensively damaged. That year, thc Association changed its name to thc South Hu- ron and District Association for the Mentally Handicapped. The change in direction to com- munity living is the latest chapter in the history of SIIDAMH. Ann Klungel concluded.hcr history by saying "Society has come a long way in recognizing the needs and the rights of all people, but we still have many miles to go before we reach the peak of the mountain, so keep up your good work."