MOOSE JAW — SaskAbilities marked a major milestone recently with a community barbecue at the Western Development Museum, celebrating 75 years of supporting individuals experiencing disability in Saskatchewan.
The lunchtime event brought together staff, clients, alumni, and community partners to reflect on the organization’s evolution since its founding in 1950 and to celebrate the lives it continues to impact across the province.
“This year… we’re celebrating 75 years for our organization,” said Jessica MacPherson, regional director for SaskAbilities’ Regina branch. “The organization was founded in 1950 by parents of children experiencing cerebral palsy, and they were… visionaries for what the organization could be and what it is today.”
Thursday’s barbecue featured guest speakers, including Mayor James Murdock, MLA Megan Patterson, and Chamber of Commerce CEO Rob Clark, along with program manager Raelynne Doka, who spoke briefly about the local and provincial impact of SaskAbilities.
Attendees were also treated to the Moose Jaw premiere of a commemorative video developed to honour the organization’s 75th anniversary.
“We worked on a video project across the province to celebrate 75 years,” MacPherson said. “We showed it at our annual general meeting and shared it on Facebook, but in terms of the community here in Moose Jaw, this was the first time that many were able to see it.”
SaskAbilities offers a wide range of services tailored to meet the needs of people living with disabilities, including supported employment through Partners in Employment, residential support homes, and cognitive disability programs. MacPherson noted that the organization’s longevity stems from its commitment to listening and responding to those it serves.
“The longevity of (SaskAbilities) is really due to taking the lead from people who experience disability — letting them tell us what supports and services they want and need, and then making sure we can fill those gaps,” she said. “As the years change, we evolve with (available) opportunities (to remain) active and support people in the community.”
Locally, SaskAbilities has become a cornerstone in Moose Jaw’s support system, offering 24-hour residential care for individuals, some of whom transitioned from the former Valley View Centre, and promoting inclusion through community-based employment and life skills programs.
The Western Development Museum served as an accessible and fitting venue for the celebration, reinforcing the day’s theme of community connection and inclusion.
“We were looking for a venue that is always accessible,” said MacPherson. “The Western Development Museum has hosted us, and I think they’re always a good partner to non-profits. We just wanted a well-known community space where people could come together, have a meal, share some memories, and celebrate.”
As the event wrapped up, MacPherson offered a message of appreciation to those who were able to attend — and to the wider community.
“You’re not around for 75 years as an organization without a community who supports you,” she said. “We’re grateful. In every location where we have operations and programs, we have community members who believe in what we do. We have great staff, and we’re really ingrained in the community. Being in Moose Jaw is very special for us.”
To learn more, visit SaskAbilities.ca or call 1-833-444-4023 toll free. Moose Jaw’s SaskAbilities office is located at 8 Wood Lily Drive.
