A local organization has started a fundraising campaign to build housing for people with disabilities.
On Friday, L’Arche Comox Valley, an organization that provides support to adults with developmental disabilities, kicked off a campaign to raise $3.5 million to build the Anchorage.
The project would see seven suites constructed in the first phase to give people safe and affordable housing, with a common amenity space and a suite for an assistant to be on site.
Community Leader and Executive Director of L’Arche Lynda Brosko says this project is important because they want everyone to have a place to belong.
“A place that feels safe, a place where they can live out their best and head out to community, feeling like they have a connection and can offer their giftings to the community,” said Brosko.
She says people with disabilites are the most vulnerable in the community, with housing being a big issue for them.
She says with this project, they aim to break down barriers for those in need to get housing.
L’Arche says the kickoff event on Friday featured guest speaker Tamara Taggart, known for her work in radio and television, and who has a son with Down Syndrome.
Taggart says this issue is important to her as her son goes to school in a segregated classroom.
“In BC, if you have an intellectual disability, you really get segregated from the rest of the school, so it’s been really hard for our family the last five years with him in high school,” said Taggart. “When the organizing crew for this event called and asked for me to come over, I had no idea that they were going to raise money for some housing, and I said ‘Yeah, I’ll come over, no problem.’ ”
She says people with disabilities in BC are disadvantaged when it comes to housing, jobs, equal access to education and employment opportunities.
Taggart hopes through the project, it can make sure everyone is being looked after.
Brosko adds once they raise $3.5 million, they will start ground-breaking.
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Files by Nathan Maley, Vista Radio Staff
