Debbie Dokuchie, Executive Director at Community Support Centre NW (formerly the Dryden Volunteer and Recruitment Centre), began her talk by announcing that the organisation had undergone a name change to the Community Support Centre NW to better reflect what they do.
Community Support Centre NW offer Community Integration Services to connect individuals with developmental disabilities to our community through recreational and leisure activities, individualised programs with activities that include life skills training, health and fitness, and developing social skills.
They also offer specialised respite services on a fee for service basis to families and foster caregivers. The “Support Centre” also provides a safe and neutral supervised access program for non-custodial individuals to allow them to visit with their children.In addition, they run the healthy food box program in conjunction with the Northwest Health Unit; last year they distributed about 700 boxes.
Finally, they manage the Christmas Cheer program providing toys and food for about 360 needy families.
However, Dokuchie ended her talk describing a service which is growing in demand but which they do not have the resources to service. With our ageing population, more senior citizens are faced with mobility issues. Hence, they have been attempting to put together sufficient funds to purchase a modified van to accommodate multiple ambulatory clients. Such a vehicle has an approximate cost of $50000. To date, Community Support Centre NW has raised $36000 through a government grant and fundraising but need another $14,000.
The Dryden Rotary Charity Foundation Board will consider their application.