Dozens were on hand to celebrate a new group home for people with disabilities in Wilkie. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Life upgrade

Grand opening highlights new group home in Wilkie

Aug 25, 2021 | 5:05 PM

The Town of Wilkie, along with community members, dignitaries and group home residents, celebrated the grand opening of a new group home on Wednesday.

Managed by Prairie Branches, the new group home is the end product of a multi-year project which will house five people with intellectual disabilities. The provincial government is providing more than $295,000 annually to Prairie Branches in order to operate the home.

This venture also supports the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy, which is focused on creating more residential services for people with intellectual disabilities. MLA Ryan Domotor was present on behalf of Social Services Minister Lori Carr and thanked Prairie Branches for their commitment to providing quality services for people with disabilities.

“The opening of this new group home represents another step forward in our government’s support of true person-centred community living,” Domotor said in a press release.

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Currently, Prairie Branches supports 31 people living in group homes, 14 people in their supported living program and 48 individuals in day programs throughout the communities of Wilkie, Unity, Biggar and Kerrobert.

Executive Director Eunice Washkowsky said the home was designed so that persons of all abilities can live and thrive there. The design of the building is made for residents to be able to support themselves as much as possible, ranging from placement of light switches and beds to the architecture of showers.

“This home is a wonderful addition to our agency as it helps to provide exceptional quality of life for the residents,” she said in a statement. “We are very thankful that the community of Wilkie was chosen as a priority for a replacement home.”

The province is encouraging Saskatchewan residents and communities to share accomplishments that align with the Disability Strategy by using the hashtag #SKDisability on social media. For more information on the how to access supports for intellectual disabilities, find the nearest Community Living Service Delivery office through the government’s website.

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