Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corp., a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to serving adults with intellectual disabilities by providing programs and services to meet their needs, has purchased the property located at 808 First Avenue N.W., Weyburn.
"We truly feel that the Board of Directors has chosen the perfect location for our future Day Program Building and the expanded services it will allow us to provide" explains Andria Brady, Executive Director. "It is adjacent to the Tatagwa Parkway system, near the new Dog Park and the Therapeutic Animal Park. These are all things that we use on a regular basis already, so we will be able to enhance our outdoor programs and community experiences."
The Ministry of Social Services, which provides funding to organizations like Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corp. throughout the province, has committed $1 million to the project. They have asked the agency to garner community support by fundraising 30% of the funds from within the community (similar to requirements the Ministry of Health has for new hospitals).Thus far, the agency has over $150,000 in committed funds towards their $500,000 goal. The agency will also be required to mortgage an additional amount as the current estimated construction cost will be close to $2 million.
The current building, located at 1720 East Avenue, will continue to house Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corp.'s Woodshop as well as their Paper & Cardboard Recycling Programs. This location also includes the expanded and renovated Sarcan Recycling Depot. Sarcan Recycling is the recycling arm of the SK Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC) and through its 71 depots in the province provides employment to over 600 people with disabilities. Funding for Sarcan Recycling is provided by the Ministry of Environment. The Weyburn depot is operated by Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corp. as a separate business entity.
Once built, the new Day Program facility will be owned by the Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corp., with annual operating funding provided by the Ministry of Social Services. It will consist of greatly expanded and specialized programming facilities for the Day Program. This includes a Snoezelen Room, physical therapy room, a multi-purpose room, in-ceiling lifting systems and several specialized rooms for complex individuals. It will allow the agency to serve upwards of 60 persons with intellectual disabilities from SE Sask, many of whom are awaiting completion of the building in order to access services. The agency currently serves 30 individuals, with approximately 35 more on its waitlist at the present time.
"Our current participants as well as staff are all extremely excited about this", adds Brady. "We have all been waiting a long time and many participants have voiced their concerns about the lack of adequate space, the noise, the dust, leaking roof, inaccessibility, lack of washrooms, etc. in their Personal Program Planning meetings. They deserve better than this."
Next steps in the project for the non-profit agency include continuing with fundraising efforts to meet the minimum $500,000 goal set by the Ministry of Social Services. To achieve this goal, Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corp. depends on the continued generosity and support of the citizens and businesses of Weyburn and area. They wish to thank the community for their wonderful support to date.
