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Hidden no more Visiting a home in the last century where a child with an intellectual disability lived often meant that people never did see that person. Families were made to feel shame because of their special children. They were advised to put them into institutions as they were considered a threat to society. The main impetus for social justice and change came from parents who wanted more for their children, who wanted them to be treated like their siblings and other youngsters. It was a group of parents in this community who started the push for equal treatment and formed a society that today is inclusion Powell River. In this century, people with intellectual disabilities are educated with their contemporaries, are employed, can marry, make choices, live as they wish, pursue their interests and develop friendships. Gaps still remain regarding continuing advocacy but the benefits of inclusion are reflected in much greater acceptance and expectation for living full and satisfying lives. While the struggle is not yet over, there is no doubt that Powell River is a much better community because of the efforts of a courageous group of parents and a current group of dedicated, caring workers who provide services for children, youth and adults.
Congratulations on 60 years!
Visit our website inclusionpr.ca and attend inclusion Festival February 4 to 9
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Parents push for equal opportunity No resources were available for special children A trained nurse, Mona Hawkins married her husband Bert in 1947. Their first son Robert arrived the next September. “When he was born, he had the cord around his neck which cut off oxygen to his brain,” explained Mona, 93. “They didn’t have all the equipment to monitor babies then.” Robert was a happy baby and young child but was removed from grade one because the school principal said he was too disruptive in the classroom. “I wrote to Victoria and got the information to teach him at home,” said Mona. “He can read very well but is not so good at math. I hired a math teacher to help him learn to count to 100 and to deal with coins.” At that time parents were advised to send their children with intellectual challenges
to Woodlands School in New Westminster. Robert was at the institution for a time and also attended a training centre in Ladner. “Then we brought him home,” explained Mona. “We didn’t like having him far away.” Mona and Bert were among the group of parents who banded together to provide help to each other and work toward the desire to have an education for their children. Along with Jean Pike and Dave Pike, Jack and Anita Tremblay and Robbie Robertson, and others, they started meeting in the Pikes’ living room to work at overcoming the lack of resources available to them. Two years later, they formed a society, which has gone through a number of different names over 60 years, most recently becoming inclusion Powell River. Name changes reflect differing attitudes over the decades. “Our first presidents were doctors,” said Mona, “and then Jack Tremblay was elected president and served for a long time.” Education for their children started with volunteer teachers, first at Dwight Hall, then Westview Annex before moving to Cranberry Village Hall. The hall was no longer used after amalgamation in 1955 of Wildwood, Westview, Townsite and Cranberry. In 1962, Powell River’s school district assumed responsibility
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With heart-felt respect and appreciation
The City of Powell River wishes to offer sincerest thanks to inclusion Powell River—formerly Powell River Association for Community
Living—for providing services and advocating for people with developmental disabilities (diversabilities) for 60 years in the Powell River community. Its ongoing efforts to provide the best quality of life for adults with developmental disabilities and its work in championing their rights to live full inclusive lives are admirable and respected. The concept of inclusion encourages society to be
more universal in thought and to view those who have physical, sensory and/ or intellectual impairments as everyday folks who just happen to have additional differences. We recognize and accept that these individuals need to be included in the objectives and goals of society. As they have a special purpose for being here, let us do all we can to help encourage and foster
Congratulations to inclusion Powell River
their achievements and purpose in our community. Collectively, we want to thank the founders of this special community asset —we are forever indebted. For all that inclusion Powell River has done and all that it continues to do, we extend our gratitude. It has undeniably earned our heartfelt respect and appreciation. Together, we celebrate this milestone and encourage other
communities to commit to this universal perspective and acceptance. May God continue to bless inclusion Powell River. ~Mayor David J. Formosa
this is the story of a civil rights movement.
from Inclusion BC
For 60 years, inclusion Powell River has been at the forefront of change, improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities at a local level and lending its voice and might to a provincial civil rights movement. Not long after its inception in 1954, inclusion Powell River joined forces with four other organizations to form a group that could fight for change at a provincial level. 60 years later, that federation is a united voice of 70 member organizations from across the province, now called Inclusion BC. Thank you, inclusion Powell River, for being such an important part of this movement.
www.inclusionbc.org
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a wonderful achievement for all
Part of the inclusion Powell River 60th anniversary project is a book on its history. Written by Timothy Balzar, it will be published later this year. The book provides a comprehensive look at six decades of an association that has been a leader advocating for change in society’s approach to people with intellectual challenges.
Congratulations on 60 years of service to our community. We are proud of our connection with inclusion Powell River and wish you continued success.
M A R - DE E
604.483.1318
OAK W OR K S
6797 Cranberry Street
XXXXXX
4670 MARINE AVENUE | GIBSONS CROSSING | 604.485.5110
Congratulations on 60 years
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for providing special education. Mona was society secretary for 30 years and still attends annual general meetings of inclusion Powell River. “I think I ask too many questions about how much money is being spent.” Money was always a concern for the society. “We never had much and what we had was raised through raffles and bake sales,” said Mona. It was only after Gerry Gray joined the society that more money was raised, she added. “His wife Kay started the Christmas Card Fund in the newspaper so that people could send their greetings that way and donate money they would have spent on cards and stamps to the association.” Gray was a driving force in the building of Artaban Training Centre, now Community Living Place. “It required a lot of money at the time but it happened,” said Mona, “and it provided a place for our children, who were growing into adulthood, to attend and work at building furniture and doing crafts.” Mona moved into Kiwanis Garden Manor eight years ago after living alone for four years after Bert died. Photos of Robert and his younger brother Gary, a grade 12 chemistry teacher who lives in the Lower Mainland, decorate the walls and furniture. Currently Robert lives in one of inclusion Powell River’s group homes where he enjoys helping in the kitchen. “Making brownies is one of his favourites.” He comes every Wednesday to have dinner with his mother. “He loves to go around talk-
ing to people and knows everyone’s name. If someone is new, he asks their name once and then remembers it the next time.” Mother and son also enjoy going out for lunch. Now that she no longer drives, Mona picks up Robert in a taxi and they head off to a restaurant. Robert loves angels and gives them to his mother for gifts. He’s also painted a winter scene that hangs on her apartment wall and loved to draw when his hands were steadier. Robert learned how to square dance and Mona was frequently his partner. He also bowls and enjoys attending different functions through the association. He sings and plays the keyboard. “I had someone teach him for a while until we figured out he could play by ear.” His favourite reading material is National Geographic magazines. “He leads his own life,” said Mona with pride. She looks back on all the years of struggle for her and so many other parents, and says it was all worthwhile. “Today they [children with intellectual challenges] are doing a lot more than they used to. They are educated along with others in the same classroom and they receive job training so they can work when they are older. It’s so much better now and there is help for parents.”
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PAGANI & SONS SHOES & REPAIRS
An active part of your community 7100 Alberni Street 604.485.4823
60 YEARS OF People helping people Proud to be supporters of inclusion
OPEN 8 AM - 10 PM 15-7100 ALBERNI ST 604.485.2835
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Warm congratulations on 60 successful years…
Volunteers at MCC are proud to be a part of inclusion Powell River’s employment, training and volunteer placement program. “A good life is not about ability or disability, but availability, given and offered.”
60 YEARS Congratulations! 4493 JOYCE AVE 604.485.7981
massullomotors.com
BC DL#7422
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Thank you for your continuous contribution to our community.
1-7030 Alberni Street • 604.485.3962 • www.mcc.org
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A place where everyone belongs and lives a good life.” Each year approximately 250 children and families, 105 adults with intellectual challenges, two adults with acquired brain injury and 37 seniors receive services. Providing those services are about 100 regular and 100 casual employees. Some 85 per cent of the budget is paid out in wages to employees who live and spend the majority of their money in Powell River. Most of the remaining 15 per cent is spent on groceries, office supplies, other household items, taxes and utilities. From an overdrawn bank account to a $7.5 million annual budget, inclusion Powell River today contracts with several government agencies, School District 47 and United Way BC to provide a wide range of supports to children and families, individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain injuries and seniors. The local organization is a founding member of inclusion BC, which provides it with an advocacy voice to both provincial and federal governments. “We believe it is impor-
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Your voice… Your services… Your passion… Your teamwork… THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS!
7040 Barnet Street • 604.485.1233
tant to be part of solutions for ensuring continuing service and supports for the people we serve,” said Lilla Tipton, inclusion Powell River executive director. “This advocacy has historically made the difference to where government decides to spend its revenue.” In addition, inclusion Powell River fundraises and volunteers time for projects that do not qualify for government money. They include the Wish Fund from which individuals can request extra support for such things as a hospital bed, dentures, a trip to visit a family member, a camping trip, recreation or entertainment.
Staff training opportunities, education initiatives to promote understanding of disability issues in the community, forums or discussion groups, free or subsidized events for self-advocates and families and implementing innovative development practices all require money that government funding does not cover. Today, instead of only parents advocating for their children, there are adults who advocate for themselves, attending conferences and local discussion groups where their input is welcomed. Several members of inclusion Powell River’s board of
directors are self-advocates who contribute to the running of the organization. The annual Festival of Trees, hot dog sales, a salad booth at Sunshine Music Festival and raffles are used to raise money. In addition, donations are solicited and grant applications submitted where relevant. As happened from the very beginning, numerous volunteers lend their time and passion to the organization. That has never changed. For more information about what is happening today with inclusion Powell River, readers are invited to visit its website inclusionpr.ca.
Best wishes to all staff and participants of this successful organization… Tla’amin Community Health Board Society 604.483.3009 4895 Salish Drive tlaaminhealth.com
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One of inclusion Powell River’s founding members, Jean Pike, invited parents into her home in the early 1950s and that was the beginning of an association that has been providing services to people with intellectual challenges ever since. It’s fitt i n g that
her name is spoken every day as one of inclusion Powell River’s assets is named in memory of her tremendous contributions. Her involvement, started because of her son David, continued for many years. Today, Jean Pike Centre for Children and Youth offers the kind of support that she and many other parents could only dream about for their own youngsters. Along with Community Living Place, several group homes and administrative offices on Marine Avenue, the centre is part of a progressive organization, which has as its mission “To foster an inclusive community where everyone belongs
Congratulations on 60 years inclusion Powell River Thank you for increasing the well-being of individuals by supporting programs that make a difference in our community and people’s lives.
Powell River Branch • firstcu.ca • firstins.ca
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Parents in the 1950s could only dream of services available today
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FUTURE »
Creative revenue ideas part of planning
Congratulations inclusion Powell River!
HAPPY 60TH ANNIVERSARY!
Congratulations! Your support for healthy, independent and quality of living has always been strong and is always appreciated in our community.
4794 Joyce Avenue • 604.485.2929
STORE HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8:30 AM - 6 PM SATURDAY 8:30 AM - 3 PM
LILLA TIPTON
INCLUSION POWELL RIVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
is looking into providing childcare for clients and typical children. Research undertaken by inclusion Powell River indicates there is a need for additional childcare in Powell River. With trained staff and a building— Community Living Place that can be modified for different levels of daycare—the association could be a provider, if everything falls into place. “CLP sits on 11 acres so part of the learning can be growing and eating healthy food,” said Tipton.
TOWN CENTRE MALL 7100 Alberni Street • 604.489.0099 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 7 am - 10 pm • subway.ca
The services being provided are not available for those without the ability to pay, elsewhere in the community, she added. A sliding scale for some services to those able to pay means the program can help additional seniors and provide volunteers who take people to appointments or grocery shopping with a mileage stipend. Another social enterprise that inclusion Powell River is investigating is seniors’ housing. It co-owns vacant land that can be developed »16
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One thing for certain, government funding will continue to decrease. There is a lot of pressure and challenges for non-profits.
Your work is supported and acknowledged throughout the community.
Congratulations To a progressive organization that benefits the health and welfare of people with developmental challenges. GREAT WORK!
great taste
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More services for seniors will be part of inclusion Powell River’s future. Currently the organization is contracted by United Way of the Lower Mainland to deliver the Better At Home program to assist seniors to remain in their own homes by providing non-medical services. “It’s going very well,” explains Tipton. “Both United Way and we are pleased with the number of people we are assisting and the number of volunteers who have come forward.”
in windows™
1-7045 Field Street 604.485.2451 www.modern.ca
Congratulations inclusion Powell River
Congratulations!
We commend you on 60 years of service to Powell River and area and look forward to our continued association in the future.
Excellent work in the last 60 years. Proud to be a participant.
The home of GreaT InTerIors
Canadian Union Public Employees 358V15
4601
604.483.4949 5687 Manson Avenue
Your Hometown Grocery Store 5687 MANSON AVE • PH 604.483.4011 OPEN DAILY 9 AM — 6 PM • FRIDAYS TILL 9 PM
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When she was asked to predict the future for inclusion Powell River, executive director Lilla Tipton paused for a moment and said that could be hard to do. She then was able to forecast what she sees. “One thing for certain, government funding will continue to decrease. There is a lot of pressure and challenges for non-profits.” Tipton has worked in that sector for decades. Her experience with people with intellectual challenges is both personal and professional. She has a younger sibling with Down Syndrome. Returning to Powell River, where she went to high school, from Prince George in 1995, she went to work for inclusion Powell River. One of the reasons she came back was to spend time with her aging mother and she “was tired of shovelling snow.” While in the Interior city, she was a founder and developer of the handiDART program before it was taken over by the province and expanded throughout BC. She started with inclusion Powell River as manager for the day programs and
the employment/life skills program. With expected cuts in the future, inclusion Powell River is looking at ways to be sustainable, to ensure continuation of services for the clients it serves. “One of the things inclusion Powell River is looking at is social enterprise,” Tipton said, adding that the association is “a little ahead of the curve” in that regard. Looking at expanding services to children and their families, the association also
POWELL RIVER THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION 604.485.0177 • www.prtherapeuticriding.com
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Social enterprise covers children, youth, adults and seniors
It has been our pleasure to work with you for the last 23 years and we look forward to continuing the tradition for many years to come. Thank you from everyone at Therapeutic Riding, especially our riders. “COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING, STAYING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS AND WORKING TOGETHER IS A SUCCESS.” ~ Henry Ford
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CONGRATULATIONS to inclusion Powell River on your remarkable success in bringing hearts and minds together in service to our community for 60 years.
Education For All
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• Congratulations •
Need continues 15« FUTURE
www.sd47.bc.ca
Congratulations on 60 years of service and support to our community… 651615IN
POWELL RIVER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SOCIETY
4727 Marine Avenue | 604.485.2004 | www.prepsociety.org
Congratulations! Making our town a great place to live. Best wishes in the future… 358V15IN
POWELL RIVER FABRICATORS 2812 McCausland Road • prfab@prisminc.ca 604.487.9797 • EMERGENCY: 604.483.8293
for such a purpose. In anticipation of a growing number of people with mobility issues, the association also is researching how to use its fleet of accessible vehicles to make them available to seniors and others using wheelchairs and scooters who require specialized transportation, when the handiDART is not available. AiMHi Prince George Association for Community Living started a successful partnership with Value Village to collect clothing in bins. “That was the inspiration for us to begin that kind of fundraising,” said Tipton, adding that inclusion Powell River is awaiting delivery of branded bins. The association has secured locations around the community where the bins will be placed. “Research from inclusion BC indicates that only five per cent of households recycle used clothing.” In terms of the people inclusion Powell River serves, Tipton sees a future where
We thank you for the impact you have made in our community
Lilla Tipton
more of them are working, and starting with jobs at a young age, after school and weekends, like typical 15-year-olds do. She sees more clients living in the community, with the level of support they require. “There will be fewer group homes and more people living independently or in home-shares for those who need more supervision,” said Tipton. She also sees more people with intellectual disabilities attending post-secondary programs. “I see them out more in the community, volunteering
and giving back, more involved in sporting activities, participating and enjoying all the amenities that are offered here.” Tipton envisions more community connections and networks for people inclusion Powell River has been serving for 60 years. “I see them being invited out for coffee, dinner, parties, having more friends. Personal networks have been set up for many people and we’re looking for them to happen more organically. It has started but the experiment goes on as we figure out how to nurture them without it seeming artificial.” What she does not envision in the future is a decrease in the number of people requiring services of inclusion Powell River. “Community Living BC is showing an increase of six per cent per year of people with intellectual disabilities needing services. In this community, at least a half a dozen new families per year come to us needing what we offer.”
Proud to be an employer of inclusion Powell River…
Happy 60th!
You have enriched many lives in our city and beyond through programs and services.
Liam & friend
Locally owned and operated by Matt and Nicki Lister
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Congratulations!
4696 JOYCE AVENUE • 604.485.6277 OPEN AT 7 AM
Thank you for your dedication to our community…
design and build
construction management
start to finish
Congratulations!
604.485.6212 info@agiusbuilders.ca www.agiusbuilders.ca
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our goal is to keep you smiling with quality service and attention to detail
www.powellriverchamber.com
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Nothing is impossible ... have your vision become reality
You have enhanced the quality of life in homes and businesses through compassion, support, services, volunteers and programs.