June 16, 2020
The Foundation has already raised nearly $ 120,000 for the COVID-19 Emergency Fund in Laval … THANK YOU!
Every action counts and makes it possible to accomplish great things. Among all the actions already taken, we wanted to tell you about our contribution of $ 20,000 to the organization Stimule Arts. We therefore joined its general manager, Mr. Jean-Alexandre Perreault, for a brief telephone interview.
Explain to us the mission of Stimule Arts?
StimuleArts has existed for 20 years and is a non-profit community organization whose mission is to promote inclusion, develop self-determination, increase the power to act of people living with moderate to moderate intellectual disabilities. severe, with or without handicap, aged 17 and over, from Laval territory, through various stimulation programs and artistic activities.
What role did you play in these times of COVID-19?
We quickly learned that health and social services workers had access to emergency child care – but not children with special needs! We have therefore decided to suspend our regular activities (17 years and over) to offer this service to CISSS de Laval employees. We have converted our services and facilities during the pandemic. We have become a child care center for 14 children, 3 girls and 11 boys, with an intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder. We are open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., to allow the Guardian Angels to continue their essential mission.
Why was the Foundation’s help important?
Despite government support, setting up these services is very costly. These children have very specific needs and to meet them well, adequate resources are needed. The CISSS de Laval is already one of our financial partners, as is Centraide. The additional support from the Cité de la Santé Foundation ($ 20,000) was of great help.
What do you remember from this experience?
It was very demanding for the whole team, but very rewarding! It was our way of contributing, of participating in the war effort. It was rewarding for us to think that we were supporting these parents who could hardly find the resources to babysit their children. Our daycare will end on June 26, but we would like to thank the Foundation for helping us offer these children the opportunity to develop fully – and their parents, the peace of mind of knowing them among good friends. hands.