Current Project:
Central Alberta Family Advocacy Coalition (working title)
For individuals Developmental Disabilities and their families and supporters. Supported by DMG(Do More Good) Social Benefit Housing and Community Development Corporation an Alberta non-profit in the process of gaining charitable status.
WHO WE ARE: A family-led, non-partisan advocacy coalition for individuals with developmental disabilities in Central Alberta.
WHAT WE PROPOSE TO DO:
-Help families organize into a shared voice to help fill in gaps for service and opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities
-Encourage, create, or lead collaborations among families, potential sponsors, and other community entities to provide solutions for those gaps
-Create education and awareness projects through storytelling, interviews, surveys
-Help develop resource materials and training for families, workplaces, sponsors, communities
- Assist families to advocate to municipal, provincial, and federal governments
- Focus on income security, housing, employment, and inclusion/engagement opportunities
WHAT WE ARE NOT:
-Not a service provider- unless we need to create non-existing services
-Not a funded agency, but will be seeking funding
-Not a replacement for existing organizations, only seeking seeking to amplify efforts and fill gaps
LOCAL FOCUS: Red Deer and surrounding rural communities, but willing to expand.
FOUNDING RESOLUTION:
We are establishing this coalition to advocate for solutions, dignity, inclusion, and stability through family-led action.
GAPS we have currently identified and are seeking confirmation and/or addition:
-Safe and accommodating engagement spaces and programs/opportunities for individuals with profound disabilities to pursue interests and employment options
-Sustainability measures using enterprise to continue to provide needed supports and fill in gaps outside of government funding ebbs and flows
-Supportive and accommodative housing for individuals with developmental disabilities
-Legacy programs for families with aging parents of individuals with developmental disabilities- for housing retention and continued support stability
-Connection between families and community entities
-Collaboration for a better discovery and use of collective and available resources
Contact: Deborah Gregson email: dgregson.hearth@gmail.com phone: 780-978-4561