Image from Ability Resource Centre

By Amplify

Supporting Local: Ability Resource Centre offers unlimited services

Jul 19, 2021 | 4:03 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Ability Resource Centre in Lethbridge not only helps people with disabilities, but it gives them gain confidence.

“Ability Resource Centre is a place for individuals to build friendships, learn, be productive, explore interests and talents, develop skills, and gain confidence,” their website reads.

They support individuals to participate in general community recreational, social, educational, arts, and cultural activities.

Since 1953, the Ability Resource Association has been a non-profit, charitable organization, that strives to increase public awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities, provide a way for disabled citizens to share their common concerns, and jointly relate their needs to appropriate government agencies and organizations.

The centre was then changed to “The Rehabilitation Society of Lethbridge” in 1965 and focused to establish services for persons with disabilities.

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Helping people is their top priority and what they help people with stretches further than you could believe.

Since 1994, the Society has supported people to find and maintain employment. The Employment Supports service is now based out of JobLinks Employment Centre, at 416 – 8th Street South.

After 65 years of operation as the “Rehabilitation Society”, the organization changed its legal name to “Ability Resource Association,” to reflect the current focus of the organization.

The association’s mission is to “provide opportunities and supports for people with disabilities.”

They believe in the following values.

• Authentic Relationships
• Celebrating Successes
• Collective Impact
• Courage
• Diversity
• Health, Wellness and Safety
• Positive Attitudes
• Meaningful Opportunities

Being locally owned, the association provides an unlimited amount of services.

From Ability’s website, the following services are provided:

Well-Being:

• Nutrition Class
• Gym Workouts
• Zoology
• Music Therapy
• Swimming
• Singing for Fun
• Walking Group
• Hobby Class
• Organized Sports
• Be Fit for Life
• Self Esteem Class
• Healthy Habits
• Aerobics
• Clay Class
• Drama
• Art Class
• Current Events
• Beading

Independence:

• Cooking
• Toastmasters Club
• Self-Advocacy Group
• Nutrition
• Communication
• Math skills development
• Budgeting
• Working with Money
• City Transit training
• Sewing
• Reading, writing and computer use
• Production Experience (Bottle Depot)

Community Connections:

• Group based volunteer placements (Humane Society, Chinook Regional Hospital, Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Soup Kitchen, St. Michael’s)
• Individual volunteer placements (Lethbridge Food Bank, Salvation Army, Volunteer Lethbridge, Streets Alive, etc.)
• People may be supported to participate in stand-alone events or volunteer opportunities
• People are assisted to become involved with whatever community services or programs they need or want.

Services are offered weekdays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, for more information on the Ability resource Association, go to https://abilityresource.ca/community-access-services.