Province provides $1.5 million to rebuild Branchton group home
Residence for adults with developmental disabilities to reopen in spring 2018
CAMBRIDGE — The province is providing $1.5 million to rebuild a residence for adults with developmental disabilities in the Cambridge area.
The home in Branchton, operated by Christian Horizons, was destroyed by fire in January 2015. Construction on the new facility is expected to be complete by spring 2018.
“It’s a great investment,” said Janet NoelAnnable, chief executive officer of Christian Horizons.
The displaced residents have been living in a temporary location since the building was destroyed.
“They’re going to be so happy to be back home,” Noel-Annable said.
Plus, two more people will have a place to call home.
The new facility will be nearly twice the size and have six beds, up from four.
“We’re really proud to continue supporting safe, accessible and welcoming spaces,” said Minister of Community and Social Services Helena Jaczek at the announcement Wednesday in Cambridge.
However, she said much more needs to be done to create inclusive communities for people with developmental disabilities, and she’s lobbying the government for more funding.
“The scale of the challenge is something I’m very acutely aware of,” Jaczek said.
Noel-Annable says there’s a great need for new spaces, programs and services. Christian Horizons has 230 community residences and supports more than 2,000 people.
“There are still thousands of people on the waiting list,” she said.
Ultimately, the goal is to make it possible for everyone to “contribute their gifts and abilities.” That benefits not just those with developmental disabilities, but the whole community.
“People with a developmental disability are able to contribute,” Noel-Annable said.
She pointed to Dylan Duncan, who late last year saved a life by calling 911 and performing CPR after a man collapsed in front of him in downtown Kitchener. He learned the skill just a few weeks earlier at Humber College, where he was studying culinary arts thanks to the support of Christian Horizons.
Ontario invests more than $2 billion a year in developmental services. About 18,000 people with a developmental disability receive residential supports in the community, while another 15,000 receive direct funding for services and supports.