To fulfill the growing need for support services for people with developmental disabilities in Perth and Huron Counties, L’Arche Stratford has embarked on a $6.5 million capital campaign to build a 15,000 sq. ft. community hub. When completed, it will provide eight new independent living suites and increase our capacity for housing by 25 per cent. With demand for activities programming increasing by 88 per cent, the building will house two activity centres for program activities and events. The new building will reduce the waitlist for support services in Huron Perth by 56 per cent.
Specifically, the project will increase programming activities. The TAYke Off! program is a pilot project for people with developmental disabilities aged 18 to 35. When a person with a developmental disability turns 18 years of age, the services they have been provided as children and teenagers cease or decrease. People between the ages of 16-22 are considered Transitional Age Youth and are at a critical stage of their lives, requiring increased supports to set them up for success into their adult years.
The TAYke Off! program aims to support young people with developmental disabilities' teaching life skills, such as nutrition, grocery shopping, budgeting, as well as emotional regulation and relationships. The pilot project involves learning how to independently plan, shop for and prepare meals (including kitchen and food safety). This will require the use of the shared kitchen in the new community hub. To provide the program to people of all physical abilities, it will require the purchase of equipment to increase the flexibility, safety, inclusion, and accessibility within the new building. Specifically, we are looking to fit the common kitchen with appliances that reduce the amount of bending, reaching, lifting, or the possibility of burns when involved in tasks in the kitchen.
Having an accessible common kitchen creates opportunities for learning, inclusion, and the building of community. The TAYke Off! program will utilize the fully accessible kitchen for weekly culinary activities. Also, other community members will be able to use a barrier-free, accessible common kitchen to prepare meals.
A fully accessible kitchen with equipment and features that people of all abilities can safely and comfortably use will foster inclusivity, so everyone can participate and learn to safely use kitchen equipment to create meals, foster fellowship and gather to share stories of their day.
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Having an accessible kitchen would make a huge, meaningful impact on this program and the amount of life skills that can be included within it!
It’s important for people of all abilities to be able to participate in the process of creating meals together that they can share and feel proud of.
This project cannot help but be a win win situation for all people involved.
Accessibility, inclusivity, and creativity…this project will help clients develop confidence and new skills. Thank you for your consideration.
A Shared Space, A Shared Story of support.
At L’Arche Stratford, I’ve seen how the simple act of cooking together builds confidence, friendship, and belonging. Yet many people with disabilities can’t fully access their own kitchens. An accessible kitchen means safety, dignity, and shared joy. A space where everyone, regardless of ability, can take part, create, and proudly say, “I made this.”
Creating an accessible kitchen will help with independence