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Community Ventures Society: Choosing your life of tomorrow

Executive Director, Kevin Lusignan, and his colleagues at Community Ventures Society believe that everyone has the right to live the life they choose.
CISS

Executive Director, Kevin Lusignan, and his colleagues at Community Ventures Society believe that everyone has the right to live the life they choose.

“We’re a service provider but we’re also part of a civil rights movement,” says Lusignan, a dedicated volunteer in the not-for-profit sector for over 20 years. “Not that long ago, people with disabilities were put away in institutions. In 1980, they began eliminating institutions in B.C.—so that was an important step in the process.

“The next step is all about making our communities more accessible and inclusive,” he says. “That means including people with disabilities in society so they don’t feel isolated or lonely.”

Based in Port Moody, Community Ventures Society has helped children and adults with disabilities find meaningful life activities within the Lower Mainland for over 40 years.

Community Ventures Society provides a wide range of support services for people with disabilities and their families including foster families, summer camps, respite, life skills, community inclusion and shared living services.

They also offer unique literacy and life-long learning programs that encourage as much independence as possible.

“We’ve worked with other agencies in a collaborative way on many projects and continue to have a big focus on employment,” says Lusignan. “Ten years ago employment for people with disabilities was off the radar. Now it’s a concentrated effort and improving every year.”

Community Ventures Society’s long history of partnerships with fellow advocacy-based agencies continues during B.C.’s official Community Inclusion Month this October.

“It’s a great time to raise awareness for the movement toward inclusive communities—where everyone belongs and has an opportunity to contribute,” says Lusignan. “It’s another step in the right direction.”

To learn more about Community Ventures Society drop by their location at 2322 St. Johns Street, visit their website at communityventures.ca, call 604-939-8070, or email kevin.lusignan@communityventures.ca. You can also find Community Ventures Society on Facebook