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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Yellowknife Association for Community Living started with a dozen clients a half century ago and was housed in a portable structure near J.H. Sissons School.

Now, the association serves more than 100 clients with expanded programs and services and has recently moved into a new home where most of its services can grow under one roof.

The non-profit organization supports families, children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities so they are included and are able to contribute to community life in Yellowknife. It is now housed across the street from the Abe Miller Centre, in what was once a residential home on 53 Street.

The different services offered through the Yellowknife Association for Community Living were previously spread out over five buildings in the downtown core, according to executive director Lynn Elkin, who lauds the new centre as an improvement.

"It's fabulous because it really improves the integration of services and the ease for staff and for clients," said Elkin. "I can look out the window and see the folks in the other building and they can see us across here ... When people drive down the street now, they'll look on one side and see the Abe Miller Centre and on the other side, they'll see the Community Living Centre. It's pretty exciting."

The Abe Miller Centre, the only facility the association owns, still offers on-the-job training for clients entering the workforce, as well as support services for independent living.

There is now only the literacy program that is not on 53 Street with the rest of the services. It is part of an Aurora College program and is located at the college.

Currently, family and children services and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder services are on the second floor of the Community Living Centre. The employment services department is located on the main floor along with a boardroom. A resource centre occupies the bottom level.

The big amalgamation of services took place late last month and everyone is getting settled in their new home, said Andrea Harrison, a client of the association as well as a five-year employee.

"It's great because it's right across the street (from the Abe Miller Centre). That's the whole reason why they wanted us here, so that they're closer to us and if we do have any problems, they're just right across the street," said Harrison.

Elkin said the move really improves the accessibility of services for the clients. Previously, if a client went to the wrong office it would mean a trek to the proper one. Today, staff can meet clients at either location since it's just a short run across the street.

She said the newly-rented building has less of an office feel to it as well. The lower level of the building, which is being set up as the resource centre, is a space where family programs can be hosted, with space for educational reading material and a play area for children.

"So people aren't necessarily meeting around a boardroom - although there is a boardroom, too," said Elkin.

The residence was renovated a few years ago and is wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp leading up to the main floor and wide doors. A garage attached to the building will be used as a workspace, getting clients ready for job sites by allowing them to learn about carpentry, labour work and tool safety.

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