GuelphToday received a copy of the following letter from Lynn Lodge regarding the ARC day program closures that was sent to Cindy Kinnon, Executive Director of CLGW
BLESSINGS LEARNED DURING COVID-19
Close to one year ago, due to COVID-19, the day programs at ARC were cancelled. Now I have learned the blessing of the day programs in the life of my brother, Brian (including my life as his sibling and caregiver) who has been fortunate enough to attend there for over 45 years.
- the daily blessing of being given some community outside his home with his peers, laughing, talking, even having a girlfriend (several over the years!).
- the blessing of amazing supervisors and instructors with the patience needed to listen to those who can barely make themselves understood causing so much frustration and anxiety. Especially during COVID, some who would supply an hour or two a week to call or take him out for an hour or let him see his friends on a Zoom meeting and how important more time in the week is needed, especially to be among his friends.
- the blessing of learning new skills and interests among his friends (cooking, hiking, art, music, sports) in the beautiful large building known as ARC built specifically for the use of these special people.
- the blessing of being a star in the annual fundraising annual fashion show and Poor Boy Luncheons, eating and dancing at the annual Christmas party, open houses at ARC to demonstrate his new learned skills.
- the blessing to the parents/siblings/caregivers who have now been forced to stay home trying to find ways to eliminate the boredom of lonely days.
This is my plea to the Board of Community Living Guelph Wellington.
- scrap the present strategic plan.
- plan a full and permanent reopening of the day programs at ARC.
- plan to expand them to include anyone completing whatever schooling has been made available to them and those in group homes, etc.
- bring the outside community into the building (for those unable to function outside a sheltered program) – e.g. people in the pet therapy programs, musical volunteers, police, etc.
- be an example in our city, our county, our Province, our country of what a caring community looks like.
Lynn Lodge,
Victoria Road South,
Puslinch, Ont.
