Fort Frances recognizes Community Living
The town of Fort Frances has raised Community Living Fort Frances and District’s flag at the Civic Centre in honour of the organization that supports people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
May is Community Living Month, which raises awareness of the accomplishments of the Community Living movement.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas proclaimed the month to draw further awareness of the local organization and the people they support.
“The Community Living organization does an amazing job of supporting individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities throughout their lives to ensure that they live in a state of dignity and participate in all aspects of living in our community,” says Hallikas.
“We thank this wonderful organization for their contribution to the quality of life of the people that they serve.”
Community Living’s Chief Executive Officer Robyn Melville is appreciative of the town’s recognition, saying it helps achieve true inclusion.
“For our town to always embrace that and celebrate all the people we support and our agency as a whole, it is so meaningful because visibility is the key to breaking down barriers of inclusion,” says Melville.
The Community Living movement came to be in 1953 as a grassroots effort, with the Fort Frances organization establishing six years later.
The closure of institutions and group homes led agencies to help those residents adjust and integrate into the community.
“Every day we’re working to make sure that the people we support have the same opportunities as anyone else,” says Melville.
And she applauds the town’s efforts.
“This town in particular is quite ahead of its time for its ability to include and to really focus on all people when designing spaces and when looking at programming. We are just honoured to always be part of that conversation.”
Community Living Fort Francis and District provides a wide variety of supports and services such as supported independent living, supported employment, a resource centre, and workshops.
