Community raises funds to build inclusive living space for adults with intellectual disabilities

Tashi Farmilo

The Apprentices, formerly known as the Learning Centre for the Intellectually Handicapped, has successfully completed its major fundraising campaign for the development of a new day centre and supervised apartments for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the Outaouais region. The organization's mission is to integrate adults with ID or ASD into social and professional activities, developing their autonomy so they can fully benefit from their lives in society. The current centre aims to address the significant shortfall in the number of permanent housing spaces for people with ID in the City of Gatineau, which is currently estimated to be between 100 and 300 places.

"The need is great and it was time to act. This is why we launched this major fundraising campaign, and we can't thank enough Mr. Richer and Mr. Tremblay, their dynamic campaign cabinet, and our partners - the SHQ, the CMHC, and the City of Gatineau - for all their hard work," said the President of the Board of Directors of The Apprentices, Robert H. Parent.

The Caisse Desjardins de l'Outaouais, which donated $300,000, is among the major donors. "For our part," said Éric Charron, General Manager of the Caisse de Gatineau, "the Caisse Desjardins is proud to have contributed to both the fundraising and financing of this wonderful project that will allow The Apprentices to improve their service offer, for the benefit of a clientele with special needs, but whose contribution to our community should not be underestimated."

The new building will be located at 317 Maloney Boulevard East in Gatineau, and the groundbreaking is expected to take place in May of this year, with the official opening approximately eight to ten months later. The project will create eight full-time positions in the region.

"The Maison des Apprentis and its new day centre will be formative and inclusive living environments, conducive to the development of people with ID or ASD who will develop self-esteem and personal pride with the improvement of their quality of life," said Parent. The day centre will accommodate 95 adults with ID, and 24 adults with ID will occupy the new housing units. The supervised apartments will allow for privacy and encourage participation in a wider range of activities, while empowering individuals and encouraging healthy lifestyles. The organization is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for its clients.

"I must also thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the donors who so generously contributed to the success of our campaign. Without them, despite everything we could have done and put forward, none of this would have been possible," added Parent. “The Apprentices are grateful for the generosity and support of the donors, and the organization is eager to move forward with this important project that will benefit adults with ID and ASD in the Outaouais region.

Photo: 317 Maloney Boulevard East in Gatineau
Photo: Tashi Farmilo