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The CEO of Kids Ability, Linda Kenny, gave us a talk. We were also given a nice spread of wraps, rolls and coffee to enjoy. Kids Ability is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. Lest we forget it all started in 1957 in a building on King St across from Grand River Hospital. This was made possible by Rotarians raising $25,000 . Prior to that Rotarians drove kids with special abilities/ needs to doctors appointments in Toronto etc. It was called the Rotary Children's Centre for years and funded by local Rotary Clubs. The building we are in today was built in the mid 90s ( I think) and is the main hub, with satellite centres in Cambridge and Guelph (?) In Cambridge, Rotary Children's started in 1972 by doing hearing tests on children in the basement of Grandview Medical Centre ,then moving into the facility associated with the 'YMCA in the mid 90s. In 2003 Rotary International requested that the word Rotary be removed from the names of such centres and it became known as Kids Ability. The need for services grows and there has been a huge growth in the need for Autism treatment. In Cambridge the Autism Programme is running in the old Langs Farm Village building. The Cambridge Superhero run has raised over 3/4 million dollars over the years to support these efforts. 233 kids are on the waiting list for services, demand up 33% from last year. They need more space. So the Cambridge Kids Ability is moving lock stock and barrel to the Langs Farm Facility. They will need support. Sounds like our Rotary Club has been in this from the start. Erica reminded us to support the next Superhero run on May 28th. Support Kids Ability...get a team together. Also the Cambridge Self Help Food Bank needs our help assembling shelves on Wed. May 3rd at 3:30 pm. Email Erica or Jeff if you can come. Bring your Ikea assembly stuff. |
