Monday, January 22, 2018 – Fredericton
For the first time in its 60-year history, the New Brunswick Association for Community Living (NBACL) has embarked on a major fundraising campaign. Called “End Exclusion,” organizers are working to raise $3 million over a five year period.
“NBACL has made a commitment to help 10,000 people over five years,” said Campaign Chair, Doug Willms, at the public launch this morning. “Ten thousand people who are experiencing exclusion. Ten thousand people for whom NBACL will provide guidance, support and hope. The End Exclusion campaign is a means to that end.”
The unrestricted funds raised during the campaign are earmarked to impact three core areas of need. The first is advocacy, program delivery and support. The second is training and workshop delivery for individuals, families, professionals and NBACL staff, to increase capacity for inclusion in the community, and the third is government relations, which entails undertaking research and working with government officials to create progressive and inclusive public policy and programs that will support people with an intellectual disability.
“NBACL has been working in these areas of need for the last 60 years, and has done incredible work to end exclusion and build community,” Willms said.
“Now is the time to honour those who have worked tirelessly for so long, by protecting what they have built, and by sparking new sustainable growth in our program reach. We want to celebrate their legacy, and start our own, by helping people live an ordinary life.”
Willms also announced that the campaign has already reached almost one-third of its $3 million goal – $980,000.
“We are extremely grateful to the donors who have already recognized NBACL’s distinctive place in New Brunswick’s disability community, and to the founding Campaign Cabinet members for their commitment to helping us reach our goal,” said Danny Soucy, NBACL’s Executive Director. “It’s our hope that many others across the province will also invest in NBACL’s future, so that the programs we offer can continue and grow.”
One of those programs is in immediate need of support, Soucy added.
“We receive over 200 calls a month from individuals and families looking for help,” he said. “Many of them go to our Family Support program, which works with families and individuals across the lifespan, through early childhood and school, the transition to adult life, and right on to helping to plan the fiscal well-being of a loved one with a disability when the parents are gone.
“NBACL was founded by families in 1957, and families have defined our work over the last 60 years. But right now, today, at the beginning of 2018, we are seriously lacking in funds to be able to meet the demands faced by our small Family Support team. Without an $125,000 shot in the arm by the end of March, it is quite likely that in the future we will not be able to support families at some of the most critical times in their lives.”
Willms outlined several ways that New Brunswickers can support NBACL. One way involves simply helping the Association to spread the word by hosting 10 people at a one-hour introduction. Another is by joining the Association’s Change Maker Society, through which donors commit to making a minimum $1000 gift each year for five years.
“We know that to help over 10,000 people out of exclusion, we need 150 new members in our Change Maker Society.
“It could be as easy as giving $2.74 a day!” he said.
Willms concluded the announcement by reading a quote on the wall of the room where the campaign launch took place: “‘I’ve always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that. Then I realized, I’m somebody.’
“Are you somebody who can help make the End Exclusion Campaign a success?” he asked. “There are over 10,000 reasons to do so!”
For more information on the End Exclusion campaign, check out NBACL’s website, nbacl.nb.ca, e-mail endexclusion@nbacl.nb.ca or call 506-453-4400, toll free 1-866-622-2548 (1-866-NBACL4U).
