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LiveWorkPlay
For People With Intellectual Disabilities
Making A Buzz In The Ottawa Community
We've Been Growing Together Since 1995
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ON OUR OWN TOGETHER II
Interdependence - Independence - Self-Advocacy
The Innovative LiveWorkPlay Approach To Long-Term
Housing For People With Intellectual Disabilities
BACKGROUND
In the summer of 2002, 75 participants, volunteers, staff, board members, parents, and siblings came together for the annual LiveWorkPlay visioning day. They were asked a simple question: "What, in your opinion, should be the priorities for the organization over the next five years?"
Coming in second place only to "Make sure LiveWorkPlay is always going to be around" came the one-word answer: HOUSING.
And thus it began. Starting in the fall of 2002, SMILE facilitators started working with the adult participants to explore housing issues, set goals, and develop a plan.
CRITICAL DATES
February 6
Launch Event
March 24
Housing Meeting
April 6, 13, 27
Orientation Nights
May 8
Move In Day!
June 12
Visioning Day
June 17
Open House Event
June 25
Banquet
June 26
Move Out Day
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Parents were included in this process throughout the fall, and through these large group meetings housing was established as a key concern to everyone, but nobody had a clear idea of what was needed. Everyone did know what was not needed: an institutional setting such as a traditional group home structure. But if not that, what? And thus the On Our Own Together concept began to take shape.
After conducting surveys and discussions to identify needs, LiveWorkPlay staff began researching housing models and exploring concepts like co-housing that feature a strong sense of community combined with the dignity of independence and privacy. But was this the right path? How will we ever know?
The simple answer was that it must be tried, and after a few different proposals, a university residence setting seemed to be the answer. Carleton University was approached as potential hosts, and by the first week of January, 16 families were touring the facility and making a decision about whether or not to commit. In the end, 10 participants made the leap and took part it what became known as On Our Own Together, first edition. You can find out more about OOOT1 by visiting the project website.
The project was very successful, but it had limited goals, and a general objective of simple survival. And not all questions were answered. There was a high degree of staff and parental support in OOOT1, which left unresolved certain questions about the participants' abilities to solve their own problems and the degree to which they could manage their own affairs. Thus came the rallying cry for On Our Own Together II.
OOOTII is properly financed, has detailed objectives, is for a longer period of time, and has more participants. Many of the details were revealed at the project launch ceremony on February 6. For pictures and text from some of the presentations, please click on the picture above right.
RECIPE FOR A GREAT HOUSING PROJECT
INGREDIENTS:
- 14 brave young adults with intellectual disabilities.
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For added flavour, include a set of twins.
- 13 sets of brave parents.
- 4 brave facilitators.
- 1 brave charitable organization.
- 1 accommodating university residence.
- 1 enthusiastic university research team.
- $40,000 in financial support.
DIRECTIONS:
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Remove parents.
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Pour all 15 young adults into residence.
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Add facilitators, but do not overuse.
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Stir for 50 days.
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Enjoy the results, but start thinking about the next meal and how to keep eating for a lifetime.
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Continue finding out what's happening:
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Or switch to:
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153 Chapel Street, Suite 300 | Ottawa, Ontario | K1N 1H5 | 613-235-9550
info@liveworkplay.ca | www.liveworkplay.ca
Charitable Registration 89622 2775 RR 0001
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