Page 4 - CLH Foundation - Connected - Winter 2024
P. 4
CLH Celebrates Opening
of its King St Hub and the
Support of Ontario Trillium
Foundation
On October 12, CLH DSS and CLHF celebrated the grand opening
of The King Street Hub with an official ribbon-cutting led by
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop and attended by our community
of supporters as well as CLH-community members who will be
taking part in the programs offered there. A particular highlight
was seeing the newly installed lift in action and every bit of the
building fully accessible to all. As you know, CLHF funded the Why Laundry Matters
renovations of the building to become a program space for SEP, The King Street Hub aims to provide
SIL and TAY/Teens; an Ontario Trillium Foundation “Resilient innovative care by ensuring every Supported
Communities” Grant fully funded the construction and installation Independent Living (SIL) program member
of the assistive lift. can access additional food and nutritional
resources, education and training, household
The accessible lift makes the building’s second floor fully essentials and personal care items, as well
accessible and effectively doubles the space available for as a no-cost laundry facility. Combined with
enriched programming for individuals served by CLH’s Supported specialized, individualized supports – it’s
Independent Living (SIL), Supported Employment Program (SEP) the only program of its kind for adults with
and Transitional Aged Youth (TAY). Everyone served by CLH will be developmental support needs in North
Simcoe.
able to fully access and participate in programs at the King Street
Hub, with ample space to facilitate programs now and into the While accessing a community laundromat
future. may seem like a simple task for some, for
others, there are barriers. At the CLH laundry
MPP Dunlop was joined by Doug Thorhauge, Board President for facility, SIL staff can support individuals
CLH Developmental Support Services, Dean Johnson, CEO of CLH in learning the skills of washing, drying,
DSS, and Sarah Kitchen, CLH Foundation Board President for the and folding laundry, and safe handling of
official ribbon-cutting. Also attending were members of the CLH detergents. SIL staff can also assist with
transportation to and from the hub.
community, volunteers, local business leaders and employers, as
well as community leaders and supporters. SIL members are vulnerable to rapidly rising
costs, scarcity of affordable housing, and the
effects of poverty as well as the additional
costs of living with a disability. Having access
to a low-cost, barrier-free laundry facility
meets the basic needs of having fresh clothing,
bedding, and work attire – and dignity.
4
