Editor's note: An earlier version of this article included an incorrect number for the number of requests for residential support that had been fulfilled.
Despite the dour weather on Wednesday it turned out to be rather bright for L’Arche Stratford.
Tradition Mutual Insurance Co., based out of Sebringville, donated $25,000 to its Be Belong Become capital campaign, bringing the local organization closer to its $6.5 million fundraising goal.
“It’s a lot of the good work that they do in the community,” said president Paul Burns, when asked why they wanted to donate to L’Arche Stratford. “Part of our outlook is to be able to give back to the community … when an opportunity like this arose, we just felt that this was perfect for what we were looking at doing.”
Burns was joined by incoming president Charles MacLennan, who reiterated his comments.
“This is a really important initiative that supports some folks that don’t always have the easiest path, and that’s great to support,” MacLennan said.
L’Arche Stratford is an organization that works with adults with developmental disabilities, providing a variety of resources like housing and day services.
The Be Belong Become capital campaign kicked off in 2020, as campaign lead Elaine Clark-Sivery said, to raise funds for a new 13,000 sq. ft. building at 426 Brittania St., encompassing eight living suites, an office and recreational space.
“We were all ready to go at that point,” Clark-Siberry said. “And the pandemic came and everything nearly ground to a halt. It really picked up again last year, we were very fortunate to have two very generous donations of $1 million each.”
Clark-Siberry said that although it is an important project which will provide a lot of services and support to their core members, like ambassador Cory Maschke, it will not completely meet the region’s needs.
In 2021 there were 487 requests for residential support in both Huron County and Perth County. Only 11 requests could be fulfilled.
“That's just an indication of the huge need that is out there for support,” Clark-Siberry said. “The need is great and we won't be able to accept everyone on those waiting lists, but we certainly will be able to make a good contribution to welcoming more people.”
Maschke has been a core member since 1996. His parents, Shirley and Oscar, are campaign ambassadors and spoke about just how integral L’Arche has been for them and their son.
“They become part of their peers, rather than living at home and suppressed as a parent and a child,” Oscar said. “They really blossom as a person.”
To date, the campaign has raised about $3.8 million. If all things go well, the organization hopes to have shovels in the ground by this fall.
