The Learning Disabilities Association of Sudbury (LDAS) has closed satellite offices in Timmins, North Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie as of June 28.
The organization has launched a Go Fund Me campaign to re-open it's satellite offices for the next school year. The campaign has a $200,000 goal, but so far has only raised $205 from three donors.
In 2016, the LDAS was successful in obtaining a Grow Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, to offer services in satellite offices in the Timmins, North Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie, thus establishing the Northern Ontario Centre for Learning Differences (NOCLD).
The grant provided funding for three years, ending on March 31, 2019.
In the mean time, Resource Facilitator, Wendy Larouch has informed TimminsToday that the association's services will still be available for those who need it via phone, in long-distance form.
"We are still looking for sustainable funding, grants, government funding, whatever we can find," Larouch said.
“LDAS and NOCLD are the only organizations serving families of children with learning disabilities in Northern Ontario,” saod Mary-Liz Warwick, LDAS & NOCLD executive director, in a press release issued last week.
“Every student has the right to an education and the right to learn in a way that best suits their learning style,” said Kevin McCormick, chair of the NOCLD board of directors and president of Huntington University.
“NOCLD will continue to advocate, at all levels of government and community, for those rights."
The programs and services in the satellite offices have seen much growth and success, said the press release.
Students, families, educators and community partners and professionals have accessed the unique services provided throughout Northeastern Ontario.
Over the past three years, NOCLD has helped support over 1,800 parents in navigating the educational system and over 2,500 children and youth with support in understanding their particular learning disability.
In 2018, the organization hosted a Regional Conference with free workshops in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Parry Sound, South River and North Bay.
In the end, 24 workshops were delivered and more importantly, 935 parents/educators and 1,717 students attended these workshops.
The link to the GoFundMe campaign is available here.
Wendy Larouch can be contacted to discuss resources at 1-855-522-0100.
- with files from Sudbury.com
