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Why We Exist:
The creation of a bilingual activity centre for adults with physical or cognitive disabilities came about as a result of many people having no place to go after receiving rehabilitation services and being very much on their own. This translated into many of them being isolated. The Action Centre was also created in response to a growing need for a bilingual centre that would help empower its members, which would help them take charge of their lives.
We have helped fill the gaps by providing a place where people can take part in educational, recreational, and social activities, find peer support, and get help participating fully in society and living independently. We also provide opportunities to develop new skills and take on new challenges. In short, we offer services currently unavailable in our community and have been instrumental in assisting adults with disabilities regain their independence and transform their visions of the future.
Our Mission:
The Action Centre operates on the belief that everyone has potential and a contribution to make to society. In an environment that respects each person’s pace, we provide support to members to achieve their goals. A strong emphasis is placed on empowerment, which includes making members an integral part of the team and involving them in all aspects of the life of the Centre.
We organize activities and outings, sensitize the public to the issues facing persons living with disabilities, and make presentations to government officials and the media. In addition, members are responsible for everyday tasks such as reception and computer maintenance, and serve on the Board of Directors, all of which allow them to develop their skills and competencies.
Our History:
The creation of a bilingual activity centre that would permit adults with disabilities to enhance their quality of life was spearheaded by the Constance-Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre. In 1998, thanks to a generous donation from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the Action Centre opened its doors. For the first three years we were located in Pointe St-Charles, and since January 2002, we have been located at 2214 Dollard in LaSalle. In 2004, another donation from a private foundation allowed us to undertake a Capacity Building Project in which the members were active participants in the elaboration of a strategic vision for the Centre. The fruits of this process have included the involvement of the members at all levels and the hiring of a leadership training coach.
Our Team:
The Action Centre would not be what it is today without everyone on its team. Our staff includes an executive director, an assistant director, a secretary, a fundraising director, two attendants, teachers from the Montreal School Board, and a leadership training coach. In addition, many members play leadership roles such as being in charge of the reception, computer maintenance, public relations, the organizing of certain fundraising activities, and the planning of outings and other special activities. We also have volunteers who do everything from being board members, to sitting on our fundraising committee, to working in the kitchen, to helping out with some of the classes. And, last but not least, we have been very fortunate over the years to have the support of many donors who have not only made it possible for the Centre to exist but to thrive.
Our Location:
The Action Centre is located at 2214 Dollard Avenue (corner Newman Boulevard) in LaSalle, near many public services (banks, stores, supermarkets, CLSC, medical clinics, parks, public library, shopping centres, police station, etc.).
The Centre can easily be reached by either adapted transit, or by metro and bus. The premises are completely wheelchair accessible.
What We Offer:
The Action Centre offers various activities and services. They include the following:
• Education and training:
Cooking/nutrition, computers and Internet, French, arts and crafts, newsletter production, physical exercise, geography, history, personal development;
• Leisure:
Bingo, bowling, board games, boccia, videos, outings;
• Parties and special events:
Focus group for activities, Annual General Meeting, Valentine’s Day Dance, Easter Party, Summer Beach Party, and others;
• Leadership Training Coach:
The role of the Leadership Training Coach is to support and empower members. She helps members identify and accomplish their goals, and take on new challenges both inside and outside of the Action Centre. Within the Centre she supports the groups (e.g.: Social Club, reception team, public relations team) in becoming more organized and more structured. In addition, the leadership coach is involved in developing creative ways of connecting the Centre to the wider community where each strengthens the other.
Events:
1. We have various special events and outings for our members. Here are some highlights from the past year:
• an outing to a sugar shack, a visit to Granby Zoo, a Hawaiian Dance, a visit to the Montreal Casino where we got to take in a show, a barbecue, a picnic at Parc des Rapides, a Halloween Dance, the annual Christmas Party, a bingo evening, a visit to the Montreal Insectarium, and a Valentine’s Day Dance.
2. We also hold various fundraising events. Here are some highlights of the past year:
• The annual Soirée, which is a fundraising cocktail party, held in October at the Atwater Club begins with a silent auction and ends with a live one.
• A Spaghetti Supper, which included a talent show, put on by our members and musical entertainment by the Bagg Street Klezmer Band.
• A Christmas Bazaar, which was organized in large part by members of the Action Centre. Items of all kinds were sold including handicrafts made by members, clothes, toys and games, books, knickknacks, baked goods, and, last but not least, homemade sushi.
Admission Criteria:
If you or someone you know is living with a physical or cognitive disability and would like to become part of the Action Centre, come and visit us to see what we are all about. Our members contribute so much to the Centre. Be it by helping with day-to-day activities, organizing events and outings, or helping others, our members constantly provide an example of what a person can achieve when given the opportunity.
To be a member, you must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have a physical or cognitive disability
- Be motivated to participate in the activities
- Agree to respect the Centre’s Code of Conduct
- Pay the annual membership fee
- Pay the costs of certain activities and outings
Chair-Aware Challenge:
Dear Friends,
It is our great pleasure to take part in the first annual Chair-Aware Challenge, and to invite all Montrealers to "get chair aware"! The challenge has two important goals: to increase awareness of the obstacles faced by people who use wheelchairs; and to raise much-needed funds for the Action Centre.
The event is being launched May 1st and will continue throughout the month of May, the Action Centre's awareness month. The Chair-Aware Challenge is simple. You pick one person in your office to spend the day in a wheelchair (the boss, the principal, the receptionist—whoever is willing), get the rest of the staff to raise a minimum of $2,000 in pledges for the Action Centre and we'll deliver the chair, and get your team some airtime on radio and T.V. Of course, all pledges are entitled to a full tax receipt.
Show you care by accepting the challenge; it may just open your eyes to the great abilities of the "physically disabled."
Jamie Orchard Andrew Carter
Global Television CJAD Morning Man
GIVING:
To ensure the future success of the Action Centre, we need your help. One of the best ways to help our members is through a donation. You can also make a difference by working as a volunteer.
The Action Centre has been in operation for seven years and relies almost entirely on private donations to provide its services. With the public’s generosity, the Action Centre has grown in so many ways. From our humble beginnings, where we served but a few of those in need, we have more than doubled our membership. And in addition to keeping the Centre alive and thriving, thanks to our donors, we have recently been able to renovate our kitchen and floors to make the space more accommodating for wheelchairs and walkers, and install electric doors.
Make a difference today! Your gift will directly improve the quality of life of our members. With your help, we are always on the move! And thanks to your continued support, we have a bright future!
HOW TO DONATE:
• Donate in person:
Visit us at 2214 Dollard, LaSalle, Québec.
• Donate by phone:
Make a contribution by credit card or a pledge to the Action Centre.
• Donate by mail:
Send a cheque to support our members.
• Donate online: Click on the icon to make a donation.
Third-Party Events:
If you would you like to try something different and get more involved in your community at the same time, then how about planning a fun event for a great cause! Whether it be by having a bake sale, carwash, spaghetti dinner, raffle, bowlathon, variety show, or anything else you can think of, the Action Centre could use your support. You would be surprised how much fun organizing a charitable event can be.
If you would like to host an event to benefit the Action Centre, we can provide assistance on event planning, send staff or members to check presentations, and supply promotional materials for the event.
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