Brock Cares Alternative Reading Week: Niagara

The Leaning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region (LDANR) provides resources and support to individuals who are affected by learning disabilities in the Niagara Region. They provide leadership in learning disabilities advocacy, research, education and services, and advance the full participation in society of children, youth and adults with learning differences.

 

Project Description: Volunteers assisted with the preparation of LDANR’s spring and summer programs offered to children and youth with learning disabilities.

Morningstar Mill is a small, picturesque industrial heritage site owned by the City of St. Catharines and operated by the Friends of Morningstar Mill. The mill was constructed in 1872 to grind wheat, oats, rye and barley into flour. It was one of the first mills in Ontario to be powered by a turbine rather than a traditional water wheel. The majority of the original equipment in the mill is still functional. Located on the Niagara Escarpment at Decew Falls, the site also includes a turbine shed, sawmill, blacksmith and carpentry shop. The mill and house are open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends from May to the Thanksgiving weekend in October.

 

Project Description: Volunteers helped to clean the Miller’s house, created an inventory of objects, and assisted with filing and data entry. 

 

Community Living – Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln was founded in 1965 by concerned community members and families. They are a non-profit organization with the mandate of providing services and support to people of all ages living with a developmental disability. Residential Services of Community Living-Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln, offers a variety of long term residential options for individuals within one of the 12 community homes. Individualized support ranges from 24 hour staffed group living to enhanced independent living. Additionally, 3 of these homes within the communities of Beamsville and Grimsby, offer accessible Respite Services dependent upon availability and the personal need of the individual. Each home’s support team provides individualized assistance and support in areas of life skills, social/leisure activities, communication, medication /treatments administration, behavioural interventions, physical/health related challenges, dietary preferences and sleep patterns.

Project Description: Volunteers helped to paint a residential home that supports 5 individuals living with a developmental disability. 

Pleasant Manor Retirement Villiage
Pleasant Manor Retirement Village is a private, non-profit organization committed to providing top quality accommodation and care to senior citizens, in particular, those of the Mennonite constituency in Niagara. The Board and staff are committed to providing care in a Christian setting, incorporating the best possible methods, programming, equipment and materials, within the limits of available financial resources, and government legislation. Apart from meeting social, physical and health needs, Pleasant Manor has a strong mandate to meet spiritual needs.

 

Project Description: Volunteers took an inventory of wheelchairs and had the chance to interact with residents.

Alzheimer Society of Niagara
The mission of the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region is to improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as their caregivers. The primary role of the Alzheimer Society is to do this by advocating for and partnering in the provision of services to these groups. The Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region was founded in 1984 through the vision of a small group of family caregivers who wanted to share their experiences and lend support to other families. Over the next 4 years, the overwhelming need for services in the Region precipitated an application to the Ministry of Health for base funding to hire qualified counseling staff and in 1988, the Family Support Program was developed.

Project Description: Volunteers assisted with a general office clean up. This included tasks such as dusting, sweeping, washing walls, and more.

Red Roof Retreat provides quality recreational, educational and respite services to children, youth and young adults with special needs, as well as their families. Red Roof Retreat will develop a place where relationships are developed, awareness is created and bonds are nurtured through understanding and respect for each individual’s special needs.

 

Project Description: Volunteers helped create a cookbook with pre-gathered recipes called “Made with Love Under the Roof” which is going to be sold as a fundraiser for the Red Roof Retreat.

 

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity Canada’s vision, mission and values are delivered by Habitat for Humanity affiliates that work in over 300 communities across Canada. Habitat for Humanity Canada affiliates select and prepare partner families for homeownership, manage the construction of Habitat homes, and hold partner family mortgages. They play a vital role at the local level by engaging community volunteers, securing resources, increasing the profile of Habitat for Humanity and raising awareness about the issue of affordable housing in their communities.

 

Project Description: Volunteers will be took part in Habitat for Humanity’s “Renew It” program. This program involves taking old donated items and turning them into something new.