Blog

December 3^rd, 2018

You can help build a community where everyone belongs

Dear friend of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region,

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that is particularly true when your child has a physical or developmental disability. For nearly 40 years, Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region has built a generous and thriving village, serving families who access our services and supporting adults as they connect to our community. We can do this because of you, people who believe in a community where everyone belongs.

I have a friend who likes to say, “We all want the same thing: a house, a job, a ride and a friend.” With Extend-A-Family’s support, the people we serve are able to achieve these same goals. Shawn and Mary live in their own home, Gord works at Beechwood Manor, Cheryl drives her own car, and Keith and Leona have been married for 10 years.As a supporter of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region, you have already made a difference in the lives of the people and the community we serve. Your support enables us to grow, nourish and build our village, a village that includes people like Jason.

For 18 years, Jason has been a member of Working Adults Learning Empowering Skills (WALES) Group. As a member of the WALES Group, Jason learned skills that led him to be employed at a local restaurant where he contributes his skills in a meaningful way.

“Jason always shows up excited to begin his day. He loves being around people, and the staff are always happy to see him. Since he started here, he has developed the skills to work independently and carry out any tasks given to him with little supervision. He has ingrained his place in our family.”

For us, it couldn’t get any better. Community, dignity and belonging are what we’re passionate about.

All too often, people who live with disabilities feel isolated from the greater community. Feeling like you don’t belong, that there is no place for you, or that your child is excluded, are lonely experiences. Extend-A-Family is here to help bridge those gaps, and create the opportunity for the people we serve to meet their goals.

 

Did you know only 57% of residents in Waterloo Region feel a ‘somewhat strong’ sense of belonging to the community?

 

There is still much to be done. Teenagers with disabilities need more opportunities to attend summer camps, adults deserve more options in recreation, leisure and work, and those who choose to live on their own need more creative housing solutions. With your help, we know we can build a diverse, accessible and inclusive Waterloo Region.

Your support helps us serve over 2,000 people in Waterloo Region. We do this in a variety of ways, from the WALES Group where we met Jason, to Damon who finds his place in Summer Program and our Community Development initiatives where we have met Gerima and Claudette.

In this season of giving, please consider making a donation to Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region. We are stronger because of the care and support of people like you. It takes $500 to send a teen to summer camp, $400 to provide a weekend of respite to a family and $100 would provide two hours of a community gathering for a group of friends.

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s Community Development initiatives continue to operate solely on fundraised dollars. Your gift matters!

Come join our village. We believe in a community where everyone belongs, and that includes you.

Thank you,

Allan Mills
Executive Director

How to give

You can give securely online at Canada Helps or by calling Kate at 519 741-0190 ext 302.

P.S. Did you know you can increase your impact by giving monthly? Monthly giving allows us to plan sustainable and ongoing Community Development programs and build our village. Please consider monthly giving today.