Rotary Club Making a World of Difference in Grande Prairie: Fills Government
Gap by Donating $25,000 to Create Jobs for People with Developmental
Disabilities

CALGARY, May 27 /CNW/ - On May 28, 2010 the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie will demonstrate its commitment to creating better lives for individuals with developmental disabilities in Grande Prairie by donating $25,000 to the Alberta Association for Community Living (AACL). These funds will enable AACL to work with Grande Prairie Rotarians to create employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities after the local Northwest Persons with Developmental Disabilities Board unilaterally and arbitrarily eliminated the funding that previously supported the Employment Partnership with Rotary Clubs.

The NW PDD Board left the individuals with developmental disabilities without support but AACL and Grande Prairie Rotary Clubs, with very limited resources continued to ensure support was available. While the local government authority may have abandoned its responsibilities, the community never did. Today Northwest Alberta is the only Persons with Developmental Disabilities Region that does not support either the Employment Partnership with Rotary Clubs and/or Inclusive Post-secondary Education.

Currently, the vast majority of adults with developmental disabilities are never given a chance at having a job. Thanks to local Rotarians and AACL, 23 individuals with developmental disabilities who live in the Grande Prairie community have already found jobs. Now, with this funding, many more will realize their dream of a real job and a real pay cheque; an opportunity many families thought would never be possible.

Rotarians, through their personal efforts, are not only creating jobs for people with developmental disabilities but by working in Partnership with AACL, they are saving government money. Across Alberta Rotary Clubs, in partnership with AACL, have created almost a 150 jobs. On average each employee with developmental disabilities sees their personal income increase by over 50% while government costs are reduced.

On hand for the presentation will be Rotarians who have hired individuals with developmental disabilities, employees with developmental disabilities, individuals with developmental disabilities who are hoping to have a job and parents.

Please join us in hearing their stories and celebrating the amazing difference Rotarians are making in Grande Prairie.

    
    Time: Friday May 28,2010 12 noon - 1:20 PM  Presentation: 12:55 - 1:15 PM

    Where: Quality Hotel Rotary Room
    

Media are encouraged to attend for the entire lunch at no charge, or feel free to join us at 12:45 PM.

Media are welcome to interview presenters following the presentation.

For further information: Brooke Coulter, Chair, Grande Prairie Rotary Employment Partnership Steering Committee, Email:[email protected], [phone], Email: [email protected]; Barbara MacIntyre, President, Alberta Association for Community Living, [phone]