The latest addition at the Elves Special Needs Society is showing every sign of being ready for its projected opening date of the spring of 2010. The Adapted Recreation Area, located at 159th Street between 104th and 105th Avenues, will feature multi-use activity rooms, a kitchen, and a central area which will provide a safe, accessible and regular recreation to the Society’s many clients.

Fundraising for the building has been ongoing for years. Estimated to cost $2.4 million, the building will serve severely disabled children, youth and adults. But the community has responded to the need and supported various activities, and grants have been obtained as well as last-minute funding from the Alberta government. An official sod-turning ceremony was held on June 1st with the Honourable Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Service and MLA for Edmonton-Glenora in attendance.

Executive director Cristina Molina says the Centre has been evolving for many years, with Elves first fundraising to purchase the property in 1991, then building classrooms and additions in stages. “But we found that we didn’t have an adequate space for winter activities, when mobility is more of an issue,” she says. “We needed a place where our population could have some recreation that was specially adapted to our needs. We hope to be able to open in February as scheduled.”

Elves currently serves over 200 clients in four main programs. The Child Development Centre is for pre-school and kindergarten children with severe multiple disabilities who are medically fragile, have speech and developmental delays, and challenging behaviours that come with Autism and FASD, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Adult and Youth Centre welcomes disabled adolescents and adults. Specialized staff such as teachers, physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and behaviour consultants work with both programs. The Society also operates an Early Education Program and an after school Family Respite Project which provides guidance for preschool children with diagnosed FASD. Again, specialized staff works closely with the children and their families to ensure they reach their full potential.

The Society began back in 1973 when an Albertan entrepreneur, Mr. Milton E. Elves, left funds in his will to be used for the establishment of a clinic or rehabilitation centre for the treatment of physically handicapped children. The first class of three staff and seven children eventually moved into a wing at the old Misericordia hospital downtown, then the next year expanded to 30 children in the present main location at 142nd Street and 107th Avenue.

According to an Alberta government report at www.fasd-cmc.alberta.ca, an estimated 23,000 Albertans are living with FASD and each year, more than 360 babies are born with the condition, so the need for services such as the Society provides is evident. The impact of FASD on individuals and families is significant, and the effects on many sectors of society, including the criminal justice, child protection, education, health and social systems, is costly. The report goes on to state that children and adults with FASD may have difficulty learning and controlling their behaviour, learning from experience, understanding the consequences of their actions, remembering things and getting along with others. Individuals affected by FASD may have life-long special needs that require costly and extensive supports and services to avoid outcomes such as unemployment, involvement in the criminal justice system, mental health problems, failure at school and family breakdown.

The new facility will include two multi-use activity rooms, a central recreation room, and a kitchen. “The two rooms are required for those with Autism or other disabilities that make it difficult for them to operate in wide open areas. Small groups in smaller spaces work very well for them,” explains Molina. The addition will provide the Elves population with different types of stimulation that will assist them in specific areas of development and give them the enjoyment and fun of recreation to improve their quality of live. The Society was pleased to work with NAIT architectural technology students in the planning stages and the community as a whole supported the fund-raising, including the motor dealers’ association, the Edmonton Chill, and Safeway, to name just a few.

The Society is hosting its next event and fund-raiser on October 24th at the Mayfield Inn and Suites. “We invite everyone to join us for our Masquerade Ball, where a dinner and auction will provide plenty of entertainment. Tickets are $125 which includes everything, even the wine, and are available by calling us at 780-454-5310,” adds Molina. Bourbon Street Entertainment will be featured and emcee Seanna Collins from Global and EZ Rock as well as auctioneer Mark Scholz from CBC Radio will add to the fun. “Fundraising is ongoing. It’s going to be a first-class event.”

Children and youth stay with the program for life, and many have grown up through their school years, as young as two and a half years, and into adulthood, says Molina. “We have a team of good teachers with degrees in special education, and other professionals such as nurses who work with our population.” While there are other programs in the capital region which offer some of the same services, it’s unlikely any other than Elves would provide the comprehensive care that the children and adults require. “I have an outstanding staff and a wonderful board of directors as being the reason for our success.” Parents are active as volunteers and by forming an advisory council as well. Much information as well as a helpful newsletter and other resources are available on the Society’s website at www.elves-society.com.

“We are thankful for the services we can provide,” concludes Molina. “And we encourage the community to join us in continuing our work in any way they can.”

Know of a worthy organization or individual who we can salute? Comments and suggestions for this column are welcome. Please e-mail me at hcmiller@shaw.ca.