Released on August 29, 2017
Kelvington-Wadena MLA Hugh Nerlien, on behalf of Acting Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer, today announced that Porcupine Opportunities Program Inc., a community-based organization in Porcupine Plain that supports people experiencing disabilities, will receive $27,000 in new capital funding.“Our government envisions Saskatchewan as an inclusive, accessible province where all people have the supports they need to reach their full potential,” Nerlien said. “This investment in Porcupine Opportunities Program will allow them to better support their program participants to gain a sense of belonging, achieve their goals and continue being active, participating members of our community.”
Porcupine Opportunities Program has been supporting people experiencing intellectual disabilities since 1974. They offer residential programming, including three group homes and a supported living program, and vocational day programming in Porcupine Plain and Hudson Bay. They operate a sheltered workshop, a laundromat and two SARCAN depots.
This new capital funding will go toward upgrading the day program facility in Porcupine Plain to make the washroom accessible, upgrade plumbing, replace windows and doors and install new air conditioning units. There will also be upgrades to the sheltered workshop.
“We are happy to continue partnering with the Government of Saskatchewan to improve the supports and services for people experiencing disabilities,” Porcupine Opportunities Program General Manager Marilyn Jonas said. “This new funding will help us protect and upgrade the facilities that are integral to providing our programming and will support our participants as we help them strive to reach their goals and achieve their full potential.”
The Saskatchewan Disability Strategy was released by the Citizen Consultation Team in June 2015. Government accepted the Strategy and is focused on the foundational work of six priority areas including: transportation, respite, accessibility legislation, residential services, service co-ordination and navigation, and awareness/understanding of the rights of people experiencing disabilities.
Saskatchewan residents and communities that have done work which aligns with the Disability Strategy are encouraged to share their accomplishments using the hashtag #SKDisability.
The Saskatchewan Disability Strategy Facebook page can be found at www.facebook.com/skdisability.
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For more information, contact:
Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca
Marilyn Jonas
Porcupine Opportunities Program
Porcupine Plain
Phone: 306-278-3017, ext. 4
Email: mjonas@sasktel.net