Released on September 14, 2017
Social Services Minister Paul Merriman joined community members, dignitaries and day program participants to celebrate the grand opening of two new day program satellite locations in Saskatoon. The day programs are operated by Cosmopolitan Industries.
“Cosmopolitan Industries is a valuable organization that provides services and supports that benefit individuals with intellectual disabilities,” Merriman said. “I am proud of our government’s partnership with Cosmo and our ongoing commitments to this organization as we work together to achieve the targets in the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy.”
Cosmopolitan Industries is a community-based organization that has been supporting people experiencing intellectual disabilities since 1970. It provides day program supports for more than 400 individuals at five locations in Saskatoon. Cosmopolitan Industries received more than $7 million from the Government of Saskatchewan in 2017-18.
“On behalf of the Cosmo Board of Directors, we were extremely pleased to partner with the Ministry of Social Services to meet the emerging needs of adults with intellectual disabilities by expanding community opportunities by diversifying and expanding our program options with these two new satellites,” Cosmopolitan Industries President Sandra Downes said. “This also allowed Cosmo to lift our admission freeze so that individuals wanting to attend our highly sought after day programs would have the opportunity to do so. These satellites reflect Cosmo's commitment to enhancing the quality of life of our participants while creating opportunities and inclusion in our community.”
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 that 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
Cell: 306-519-7835