SOUTH GLENGARRY, Ontario – Jan. 18, 2018 marked the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of the Rachel’s Kids House of Hope at their current location on Boundary Rd. in South Glengarry.
It has been a busy year for the organization that has seen new partnerships and initiatives grow out of the centre.
These include a partnership with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO), who bring special needs students from schools in the area to the House of Hope. The House of Hope provides support and a safe space for children who are on the autism spectrum or have developmental disabilities.
This year also saw the launch of the Rachel’s Kids House of Hope’s 100 Souls initiative. The 100 Souls initiative is a group of 100 supporters of the House of Hope who meet regularly at social events organized by Rachel’s Kids. The club meets for one hour, four times a year and each supporter contributes $100 to attend.
Since opening a year ago, Rachel’s Kids House of Hope has tried to provide services it feels are needed in the community, including summer camps.
“We are growing very quickly and faster than anyone anticipated,” said Executive Director Kim Lauzon.
Lauzon said that this first year would not have been possible without the strong community support that they have received.
The House of Hope has been the beneficiary of the local Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign for the past two years, which raised over $40, 000 for the House of Hope in 2017. The House of Hope was also the beneficiary of the Trunk Sale this past fall and Lauzon says that whenever the House of Hope needs support, the community is right there.
“If we need toys or books, the community always comes through for us with open arms,” she said.
Lauzon said that in the past year, easily over 200 kids have used the House of Hope.
“I cannot praise this centre enough,” said Carol Brown, who’s grandchildren use the centre. “Our two granddaughters just love to go to “Rachel’s bubble house”, as they call it. They cry when it is time to leave, as everything is geared to their autism. We are so fortunate to have a place like this in Cornwall. Thank you!”
Going forward, Lauzon says that the House of Hope wants to sustain what they have built and to continue growing into the future.
