The freshly made baked goods prepared daily at Maple House Centre in West Prince are enjoyed from Tignish to Summerside. Community Inclusions Ltd., the non-profit group that owns and operates the facility has developed an expansion plan to improve its services for clients and customers, and help ensure the sustainability of the organization.
Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), joined the Honourable Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, today to announce government support for this expansion project.
Less than a year ago, Community Inclusions Ltd. purchased a building in the community from the PEI Liquor Commission with the intent of creating a new day program and expanded bakery for Maple House Centre Clients and Staff, whose previous location had geographic and accessibility challenges. The new location is a central point of the community and will provide a more accessibility-friendly facility for staff and patrons. After the acquisition of the existing building, the group needed financial support to carry out the necessary upgrades to expand the bakery and create a café. This has the potential to create additional employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities and is a source of revenue to support Community Inclusion’s various services.
Quick Facts
• The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, is contributing $179,165 to this project.
• The Government of Prince Edward Island is contributing $63,398.
• Since its inception in 1998, Community Inclusions Ltd. has operated as a non-profit organization in Western PEI providing vocational training, employment, residential and recreational services to adults (18-65) with intellectual disabilities.
• The Maple House Centre and Bakery served the organization well over the years. The new single-level location has provided for increased accessibility for staff and clients. Upgrades to the facility include the installation of a new heating/cooling system to improve the energy efficiency and reduce operating costs, plumbing and electrical upgrades, new signage, flooring, windows, doors, equipment and furnishings, and parking lot upgrades to improve accessibility.
• The Bakery will be open for business at the new location the week of January 25th at 76 Ellis Avenue and the group also plans to launch a new Café at the bakery within the first couple of weeks of February.
Quotes
“I am pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s support for Community Inclusions. Maple House Centre is an important part of the social fabric of this rural community. Not only will this support secure the sustainability of the organization, it promotes diversity within the community and offers many social and economic benefits for employees and customers alike.”
- Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament, Egmont
"Our Government will continue to support community initiatives like Maple House Centre that encourage individuals with intellectual disabilities to obtain meaningful employment and become involved in their community. In my previous profession, I had the opportunity to work quite closely with Persons with Disabilities and know how much these programs truly benefit society as a whole."
- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
“Although we depart our former facility with fond memories, we are moving forward with much excitement and anticipation as we open the doors of our new location. With our expanded bakery and new café, we will increase our revenues giving us the ability to provide additional training and employment opportunities for our clients. Community Inclusions could not have carried out this project alone, we would like to acknowledge the support and guidance of contacts within ACOA and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.”
- Mr. Kevin Porter, Executive Director, Community Inclusions