Province to help fund Cobourg Home
Paul J. Rellinger
Aug 31, 2011
Province to help fund Cobourg home. COBOURG — Jeffrey Sanders, with his caregiver Jane Van Dusen, attends a funding announcement on Parkview Hills Drive in Cobourg by Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi on Aug. 19. Ontario’s Ministry of Community and Social Services will contribute $672,000 annually to the Keystone Community Supports Corporation, which finds homes for people with intellectual disabilities. Paul J. Rellinger / Northumberland News
COBOURG — With funding now secured, a new home to be built in Cobourg will help benefit people with intellectual disabilities.
On Friday, Aug. 19, at the future site of the new home on Parkview Hills Drive in Cobourg, Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi announced the Ministry of Community and Social Services will contribute $672,000 annually to the operational costs of running the home.
The residential support proposal was submitted to the Province by Community Living Campbellford/Brighton and the Keystone Community Supports Corporation.
“Keystone started with a group of parents who wanted a special place, a real home away from home for their loved ones,” said Mr. Rinaldi to a small crowd. “It took a long time, but we made it happen. None of us involved in Keystone ever doubted this day would come, and here it is.”
Keystone Community Supports Corporation is a family-based organization dedicated to finding housing solutions for people with intellectual disabilities and their families living in Northumberland County.
“This home is the first step in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities,” said Nancy Brown, an executive director with Keystone Community Supports Corporation, as well as Community Living Campbellford/Brighton. “This is not a group home, but a place where we can help people one person at a time.”
Ms. Brown said the home will accommodate five residents, with support staff in the home 24 hours a day. Although the announced funding will cover operational costs, that doesn’t include personal costs by the residents. According to Ms. Brown, residents will pay for their own food, as well as utilities, cable, phone and Internet costs.
Construction of the home is scheduled to begin on Sept. 20, and it should be ready for occupancy in January 2012.
Students from Cobourg CDI East high school will be spending their fall semester helping to build the home.
“These students will be here helping to construct every aspect of the home,” said Norm Clapp, who teaches the four-credit Skilled Trades Internship in Construction Systems (STICS) course at the high school. “(Keystone) called us, and asked if we wanted to be involved and we absolutely do.”
The program, which is part of the Specialist High Skills Major programs offered by Ontario high schools, will have the students at the construction site from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day.
“This site will essentially become their classroom,” said Mr. Clapp, who has taught the course for six years. “On days (when) it rains, there is a portable close by where we can do book work indoors.”
When completed, Community Living Campbellford/Brighton will be the direct service provider for the home.
