In the Community

Excel's Vision of "Enriching Lives by Enabling Potential" is perhaps best measured by our success at including, involving, and integrating individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health or medical concerns back into their community.

Measures of success begin with individualized assessments of "What is the best of a client's abilities?" and a plan to broaden and stretch personal potential. Becoming an involved participating and productive member of the community may mean maintaining employment or committing to volunteer support for community activities. Integrating into the community means becoming aware of and actively participating in community programs and facilities such as gyms, pools, libraries etc. and begin to make use of those of interest to the client.

"Including" is perhaps the most difficult area because it involves encouraging the community to bridge the gap and envision abilities rather than differences and disabilities. It involves encouraging the community to accept what our clients have to offer and contribute. This is often a far more difficult challenge than enabling individual potential.

Fortunately there are employers who will give clients opportunities to contribute, there are organizations who encourage clients to volunteer and there are community facilities and programs that welcome individuals with disabilities as valued, contributing members of the greater community.

Some of our activities in the community include:

• Employment with "Community Minded" companies like Pizza 73, Canadian Forest Service, News Marketing, Seed Centre, Edgewood Matting, Safeway
• Volunteering at Capital Ex, The Fringe, Edmonton Street Performers.
• Participation in programs at community libraries, pools and gyms.
• Volunteering with the Edmonton Humane Society
• Entering a Float in the Capital Ex parade.