$500,000 for PADDLE
June 9, 2023Ontario Supporting Adults with Developmental Disabilities in North Bay
NORTH BAY – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the Ontario government is investing $500,000 to Providing Adults with Developmental Disabilities Lifelong Experiences (PADDLE), a local service provider that supports adults with developmental disabilities with a unique and holistic learning environment in our community.
“We are thrilled to announce that the Ontario government has made important investments in PADDLE,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “This organization has been doing incredible work to support individuals with developmental disabilities in our community, and this funding will go a long way in helping them address the challenges posed by the pandemic and address the waitlist for services.”
“In North Bay and surrounding area there are people with developmental disabilities and their families that are desperate for support services and near crises. Today’s funding announcements demonstrates the Ontario Government’s commitment towards the support and transformation of Adult Developmental Services in Ontario,” said Lori Venasse, President of The PADDLE Program Board of Directors. “The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s two-year grant, NOHFC’s grant for an intern position and the operational investment from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services will enable us to begin to take steps to stabilize and expand existing services and help reduce barriers for people living with developmental disabilities. We are so grateful to receive this funding and are excited to welcome new participants, families and supports to experience new choices for growth and change.”
PADDLE Investments include the following:
- $260,000 in one-time funding – through this investment, PADDLE will be able to address current service gaps brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to deliver critical services such as academic, recreation, and leisure programming, including skill-building and community involvement to those who need it most.
- $35,000 from the NOHFC’s Workforce Development Stream to hire a Community Connector intern that will support people with complex developmental disabilities who want to play a more active and inclusive role in their community.
- This spring, we announced that PADDLE received $200,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Community Resilient Fund to hire a Sustainability Officer and a Transition Coordinator to implement new sustainability and transition plans and support an inclusive program for isolated individuals $318,000 Investment for Local Non-Profits | Vic Fedeli MPP.
“It is important that adults with developmental disabilities have access to the supports they need, when and where they need them,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Being connected to the local community is a critical component to the wellbeing of those we serve. It also empowers our most vulnerable to reach their potential and live the lives they choose.”
This funding will enable PADDLE to continue to offer programming and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in the North Bay area, helping to ensure that they have access to the resources they need to thrive.
For more information about PADDLE and the services they offer, please visit their website.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- The PADDLE Program provides opportunities that increase the health and wellbeing of individuals, enabling them to grow in their community with the necessary supports they need to succeed on their “Journey to Belonging”. Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion | ontario.ca