TAMIR announces major services and housing initiative with support of $5.1M Ontario grant
NEW: Ottawa to get first Integrated Living Centre (ILC)
OTTAWA, April 13, 2018 – Tamir is delighted to announce the launch of an Integrated Living Centre (ILC), a ground-breaking Ottawa project that will expand and transform delivery of services for people with developmental disabilities, made possible due to the support of a $5.1 million grant from the Government of Ontario.
The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, MPP for Ottawa West Nepean on behalf of the Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Community and Social Services (MCSS), announced the funding support for the Integrated Living Centre (ILC), in a press conference today at the Soloway JCC in the heart of the Jewish community campus.
The new project, the first of its kind in Ottawa, will provide a variety of supportive housing and other services to people with developmental disabilities, within a fully inclusive environment under one roof. The Integrated Living Centre will be operated by Tamir, which is a Jewish community agency dedicated to ensuring people with developmental disabilities live with dignity and respect, and realize their full potential through services and opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
“This is fantastic news,” said Mark Palmer, Executive Director of Tamir. “Tamir’s ILC will mean more living spaces, more services, and more opportunities for community involvement and better coordination of care for people in critical need and the most vulnerable members of society. The government’s announcement today is an important piece of the funding required for this project and we are grateful.”
Minister Chiarelli and his staff have been involved with Tamir for many years. Mr. Chiarelli said “Tamir is an incredible organization that does outstanding work to care for and support some of our most vulnerable. I’m proud that our government is supporting them through this investment that will have a significant impact on the lives of the future Integrated Living Centre residents and their families.”
Also present at the announcement was Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, and the Attorney General. Mr. Naqvi explained how “the Integrated Living Centre will be an unparalleled opportunity for persons with developmental disabilities to live and prosper in an empowering and inclusive environment. This would not have been possible without the partnership between the Tamir Foundation, Jewish Family Services of Ottawa and March Of Dimes Canada in creating this innovative housing opportunity.”
The Ontario grant of $5.1 million will top up the project financing that has been raised by Tamir and the JFO: Jewish Federation of Ottawa. Several private donors have already committed major contributions to the initiative, notably the The Azrieli Foundation.
The Integrated Living Centre, to be opened by the spring of 2020 and located on the Jewish community campus, will introduce a new approach to services for clients and families. It will incorporate a wide range of facilities, such as: 34 residential units; a respite care program; a complex medical needs program run in collaboration with March of Dimes Canada; a seniors living program; as well as important day-service opportunities.
“We will deliver uplifting and affordable care and inclusion for persons with developmental and other disabilities, and this will be integrated within the heart of the Jewish community and campus,” said Richard Zuker, chair of the Tamir Board of Directors, who also expressed his appreciation to Minister Chiarelli and the MCSS. Mr. Zuker also extended thanks to Reena, Tamir’s sister organization based in Toronto, and the Intentional Community Consortium for their support with the project.
“We are thrilled to see this project moving forward,” said Andrea Freedman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, which helps fund Tamir and the new ILC. “Tamir has worked tirelessly to create the ILC plan. This will make excellent use of our community infrastructure to benefit so many families and individuals. We are also delighted that there will six housing units available for seniors, which will enhance inclusion and meet other needs in the community.”
Chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, Dr. Hartley Stern, expressed his warm appreciation to the private donors and the Ontario government for supporting the Tamir ILC initiative. “While our Federation is able to provide land and other services to kick-start the ILC project, something of this size and sophistication must rely on the resources of government and generous donors. There is a saying that a nation’s greatness is measured by how it cares for its most vulnerable. Thanks to the on-going efforts of Tamir, our private funders and the Ontario government, we should all be proud.”