Sept. 21, 2022.
SAINT JOHN, N.B. – L’Arche Saint John is launching a new program that will give adults in Saint John the opportunity to live their lifelong dream of living on their own.
At its Building Community gala last night, L’Arche announced a pilot project that will see adults with intellectual disabilities live in The Wellington, the new Saint John Non Profit Housing apartment complex under construction uptown.
“We’re thrilled to be able to begin offering our Supported Independent Living program, which will allow adults with intellectual disabilities to live in a place to call their own, often for the very first time in their lives,” says Zoël Breau, Executive Director of L’Arche Saint John.
“For these individuals, who have typically lived their adult lives with their parents or other family members, this step is a lifelong dream come true,” says Breau, who announced the program with partners last night before more than 400 people at the Building Community gala at the Delta emceed by former Saint John mayor Mel Norton and featuring a fireside chat with Marcel LeBrun, founder of The 12 Neighbours Community in Fredericton.
The two-and-a-half year pilot is being carried out in partnership with the New Brunswick Department of Social Development and Saint John Non Profit Housing, and with assistance from Inclusion NB (formerly the New Brunswick Association for Community Living).
L’Arche Saint John will provide services and support to four individuals who will each have an apartment in The Wellington after construction of the building at the corner of Union and Wellington streets is complete early in 2023. L’Arche, in collaboration with Inclusion NB, is now evaluating candidates for the program.
“We’re very excited to be a partner in this pilot program. Persons with intellectual disabilities deserve a safe affordable place to call home and Saint John Non Profit Housing is pleased they will be part of the Wellington community. We’re confident the success of this program will encourage other developers to incorporate similar units in their housing plans,” says Narinder Singh, General Manager of Saint John Non Profit Housing.
The pilot will be paid for by $130,000 in funding by the Department of Social Department.
“We are pleased to support L’Arche Saint John with this important pilot project for the benefit of adults with intellectual disabilities,” says Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard. “Both L’Arche Saint John and the Department of Social Development share a common goal: helping those living with disabilities to maximize their opportunities for independence and autonomy.”
L’Arche today operates the McKim House residence on the west side of Saint John and the Creative Connections art gallery and program uptown at 95 Prince William St.
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PHOTO CAPTION: L’Arche Saint John announced a new Supported Independent Living program at its sold-out Building Community gala Tuesday night. Making the announcement are, from left, L’Arche Saint John Executive Director Zoël Breau, Saint John Non Profit Housing Past President Lisa Keenan and Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard. PHOTO: L’Arche Saint John.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Zoël Breau, L’Arche Saint John Executive Director
zoel@larchesaintjohn.org | (506) 651-0266
Narinder Singh, Saint John Non Profit Housing General Manager
nsinghn609@rogers.com | (506) 658-2933