New Four-Space Group Home Opens in Nipawin

Released on June 24, 2015

Four individuals with intellectual disabilities from Nipawin and district now have a new place to call home.  Carrot River Valley MLA Fred Bradshaw, on behalf of Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer, was joined by Nipawin Mayor David Trann and other dignitaries today to officially open Nipawin and District Services to the Handicapped Inc.’s (Handi-Works) newest group home.

“Our government’s investment in Handi-Works’ new group home will provide this great organization with the capacity and program staff needed to continue supporting the needs of individuals in Northern Saskatchewan,” Bradshaw said.  “This project reaffirms our government’s commitment to expanding services in the North to support the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities.”

The province invested a total of $1.1 million toward the project.  The Ministry of Social Services provided $250,000 in capital funding.  The remaining capital construction cost was covered through a mortgage.

The province’s funding to northern community-based organizations for 2015-16 totals more than $15 million.  The new four-space group home has 3,393 square feet (315 m2) of space and includes two additional suites for individuals who require supported independent living accommodations.  The home’s features include widened doorways and hallways, an accessible bathtub and program rooms.  The house was also designed with additional engineered supports in the ceiling to ensure future resident accessibility needs could be met through the use of a track-based lift.

“Our organization thanks the Government of Saskatchewan for its support of our latest project to help people in our community with intellectual disabilities,” Handi-Works Executive Director Hugh Macdonald said.  “We are so thankful for the community’s support of our residents and of our organization.  We are really looking forward to begin taking our residents out for suppers, bowling, swimming, barbecues and other activities throughout town.”

Since 1983, Handi-Works has been supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.  The organization operates three group homes for 16 individuals; a day program, which provides support to 33 individuals; and a supported independent living program for 13 individuals.

The Government of Saskatchewan continues its commitment to make Saskatchewan the best place in Canada for people with disabilities to live.  A Citizen Consultation Team, in collaboration with government, has released a comprehensive Disability Strategy.

More information about the Strategy can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/disabilitystrategy.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca

Hugh Macdonald
Handi-Works
Nipawin
Phone: 306-862-2270
Email: handiworks@sasktel.net