Community Living Algoma launches 60th Anniversary celebration

NEWS RELEASE

COMMUNITY LIVING ALGOMA

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On Thursday, June 12, 2014 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., Community Living Algoma will be launching their 60th Anniversary at their main office situated at 99 Northern Avenue East.

Everyone is invited to join the launch of our 60th Anniversary with coffee, donuts and cake to be provided.

In 1954, parents decided to organize themselves and gathered to form the Sault Ste. Marie Association for (people with developmental disabilities).

Prior to this time, parents had provided opportunities for their children with developmental disabilities to gather in church basement halls to participate in games and activities.

It was in 1954 that the Association was incorporated and the community started to receive provincial government funding for supports and services and employees were hired to support children, youth and adults and their families throughout the city of Sault Ste. Marie.

Board President Lila Cyr reflected on the past sixty years.

She said, “We are very excited to be launching our 60th Anniversary celebration this week. The past sixty years has been quite a journey. It has been sixty years of supporting people with a developmental disability to remain and be included in their community, close to family and friends. We are excited to be celebrating sixty years of community living.”

Other planned celebration events include the Annual General Meeting on June 19, 2014, the Summer BBQ scheduled in August 2014 and the Christmas Party to be hosted in December 2014.

Throughout the past sixty years we have heard many stories from people with a developmental disability and their families regarding the past sixty years.

We look forward to hearing more stories from you as you join us for our 60th Anniversary celebration events.

Community Living Algoma is extremely grateful and expresses their appreciation to all the families, the employees, the volunteers and the children, youth and adults with a developmental disability for their commitment and support of the goal that all people belong in the community with their family and friends.

We look forward to seeing lots of people join us as we celebrate sixty years of community living.

For further information, please contact John Policicchio, Executive Director Community Living Algoma: Telephone: (705) 253-1700 ext. 3001, email: [email protected] or Lezlie Wilson, Executive Assistant Community Living Algoma: Telephone: (705) 253-1700 ext. 3000, email: [email protected].