New Leaf Link fundraiser in Verona

Aug 16, 2012

Photo: New Leaf Link volunteers, staff and clients l-r, Cathy Palmer, Jo Lyon, and Joel and Julie Hunt in Verona

Staff, volunteers and one client at New Leaf Link (NeLL), a non-profit charitable organization and educational program dedicated to the community inclusion of adults with developmental disabilities, were at Foodland in Verona on August 11 raising money for the program.

The organization, which describes itself as “a special initiative for special adults”, runs in South Frontenac and the surrounding vicinity and aims to link clients to different sectors of living, learning and working in the community. The program receives no government funding. It was founded by its executive director, Dr. Karin Steiner, as a way to meet the gap in programming for rural residents with developmental disabilities and their families, who find that after leaving high school there are few if any local opportunities for continued education, growth and connections in the community.

The program includes three educational components designed to meet the needs of the individual clients and includes functional skills and literacy, arts and craft, and health and recreation. The organization welcomes new volunteers to support fundraising and/or the adult learners and also offers tax receipts for donations over $15. For more information about the program or to make a donation visit their website at www.newleaflink.ca or call 613-374-3451.