REACH Centre Grey Bruce is excited to announce that we are holding our first community garage and craft sale on Thursday, July 25, 2019 from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Georgian Shores United Church rear parking lot. There will be over 35 families participating in this fundraising event. There will be a BBQ, fresh squeezed lemonade, handmade crafts and live music!

The initiative is not only a fundraiser for the future site of the REACH Centre program at the community landmark Grey Granite Club, but also reinforces the importance of being kind to our environment by reusing, repurposing and recycling.

Under our Social Enterprise programming, participants will be receiving the gently used donated items, sorting them, pricing them, setting up the sale and assisting with all elements of the event. They will be making the lemonade, hotdogs and craft items for sale as well.

The REACH Centre Social Enterprise Program uses community outreach like our shredding initiative, to provide participants with an applied learning opportunity to attain transferable skills for employment or community volunteering. Inclusive employment can promote independence, quality of life and social integration for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Among the disabled population, those that are deemed working age (25 to 64), are less likely to be employed (59%) versus the provincial average of 80%. From that same demographic group, of those that are not employed and not in school, 1 in 5 (39%) had the potential to work but can’t find gainful employment. Persons with more severe disabilities (28%) in that same working age group, are more likely to be living in poverty. The highest level of those living in poverty were lone parent households and those living alone.

The REACH Centre is a charitable organization and is currently housed at Georgian Shores United Church in Owen Sound. The organization was created in an attempt to fill a distinct gap in meaningful opportunities for young adults that faced developmental, physical and communication challenges. Their mission is to provide individualized engaging adult-based social and educational learning opportunities, which support participants achieving their full potential in a safe and inclusive environment. Programs are delivered Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

To learn more about the REACH Centre Grey Bruce visit: www.reachcentre.org or give us a call at 519‐377-9204.

source: media release, REACH Centre Grey Bruce