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New centre carries on legacy of inclusion in Moose Jaw

Families for Change open new Kinsmen Inclusion Centre
Kinsmen Inclusion Centre
The ribbon is cut at the grand opening of the Kinsmen Inclusion Centre. (Matthew Gourlie)

When three local families launched Moose Jaw Families for Change in 2000 they wanted to create safe and inclusive spaces for people with intellectual disabilities in Moose Jaw.

It was a proud moment for Moose Jaw Families for Change (MJFFC), therefore, when the new Kinsmen Inclusion Centre had its grand opening  Wednesday, Nov. 28. The centre had been open for four weeks before the grand opening at its location in the old Conexus Credit Union location on South Hill at 335 4th Ave. SW.

"We're providing day programs to the folks that we support within Moose Jaw Families for Change," said Katie Statler, community coordinator for Moose Jaw Families for Change. "With that being said we're also expanding to offer evening and weekend options for folks with varying abilities. For example, we are expanding to do some evening music sessions that we'll offer to the community and other homes as well."

Statler said that the Kinsmen Inclusion Centre is open to any folks of varying abilities.

"It's not just folks who live in a group home. It might be someone who lives independent, it might be someone who lives with their family or in an approved group home organization," she said. "Really, anyone can contact us through our Facebook page, through our office or through communication at MJFFC.com. What we usually like to do is a face-to-face to meet that person and see what their needs are and what their interests are and how we can support them."

The founding families of MJFFC -- the Scidmores, the Sapps and the Hammers -- wanted to create safe and inclusive opportunities both residentially and within the community of Moose Jaw for their adult children. Statler hopes the inclusion centre can continue to break down barriers within the community.

"Something Moose Jaw Families for Change have wanted to do since the founding families came together is provide more opportunities in the community," Statler said. "We've wanted to carry on that legacy and by creating the Kinsmen Inclusion Centre we're doing just that." 

The location is in a highly visible, high-traffic area that Statler said is ideal for their needs. MJFFC board member Chris Sapp also works for Conexus and they were able to strike a deal to buy the building at a reasonable price.

"When Conexus left this building and left a gap here on South Hill, I was kind of worried and wondering what would best suit and fit this space," said city councillor Crystal Froese. "I cannot think of a better organization to fill this space here or a more beneficial service that needs to provided."

The Government of Saskatchewan provided $200,000 to Moose Jaw Families for Change for the project. 

"Creating inclusive communities means having inclusive spaces where people can come together so they can interact with each other, do activities that provide purpose and most importantly have fun and enjoy their lives," said Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Greg Lawrence.

In addition to the government's funding, the MJFFC were the Moose Jaw Co-op "Fuel Good Day" recipients which helped make their wheelchair-accessible bathroom possible.

The Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club have a five-year sponsorship in place and Statler said that they expect to review it before that term is up to see how they can continue to work together to meet the needs of the facility and the community.

"When (MJFFC executive director Tami Grieve) came to me saying that this was something that they had in mind and something that they wanted to do, I knew this was something that our club would jump on," said Jeremy Hanson, media director for the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club. "Luckily for me, they did all of the work and came to our meeting and in a five-minute video they showed our club what I got to see every day being here -- that this is a fantastic place. Our club jumped behind them right away and we got our name on the building. We're really excited to work more with them in the future."

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