Volunteers with intellectual disabilities are part of Almonte family
Monday, October 31, 2005 -- John Driscoll
For about five years a partnership between Almonte County Haven and Lanark County Support Services has paid dividends for both sides.

Four days a week, a group of volunteers with intellectual disabilities come into the home to help with the laundry. “We know them individually and they know us,” says Rick Gourlie, Almonte administrator.

“We very much appreciate what they do and we let them know how much we appreciate them,” he says. “They are part of our family.” Residents and staff know them by name and enjoy having them in the home, he says. “They really are lovely people.”

The eager volunteers gather aprons, fold and deliver laundry, Rick says. Other volunteers with intellectual disabilities work in the kitchen area, setting tables and doing other chores.

The volunteers are accompanied by workers from the Support Services Life Skills Activity Centre and receive valuable work experience, according to centre officials, Rick says. The volunteers say they are happy to have some meaningful work and to be involved in the community, he says.

Almonte has also developed meaningful partnerships with churches in the Almonte area, Rick says.

For example, the Cornerstone Community Church has agreed to become the evacuation centre for Almonte residents in the event of an emergency. The church is equipped with propane heating as well as propane stove and fridge, an emergency generator and washrooms and showers that are wheelchair accessible, he says.

There are several large rooms in the church for people to sleep in and gather. The arrangement came about when an Almonte staff member who attends the Cornerstone church asked the pastor, the Rev. Glen Snider if he would consider offering the church as a centre in the event of an emergency, Rick explains.

“We have good connections with all the churches in the community,” Rick says.