Community Living Ontario

Community Living West Northumberland applauding successful collaboration with theatre group
Monday August 30, 2010 -- Deron Hamel

A partnership between Community Living West Northumberland and the Northumberland Players’ Guild is enhancing inclusion and personal growth for students accessing services from the Cobourg agency.

The partnership, which just wrapped up its fourth summer, sees students accessing services from Community Living West Northumberland working with staff at the Players’ Guild to produce a play that’s performed for friends and family members at the end of summer.

The biggest success is the positive impact this program has on students involved, says Patti Galloway, Community Living West Northumberland’s program manager.

For instance, during last year’s program one youth was finding it challenging to work in groups and to socialize with others.

However, by participating in the program, the youth was able to overcome obstacles and complete the program with a renewed sense of confidence.

“The difference between where (the youth) was at during the beginning of summer to where (the youth) was at the end was huge,” says Galloway.

“(The youth) went from being quiet and keeping to herself to being a social butterfly.”

Between 12 and 20 students accessing services from the Community Living agency, along with the agency’s staff members, help produce the play. Students are roughly aged eight to 18.

The students spend summer rehearsing the play and then wrap up the program by giving a performance for friends and family members.

Galloway notes that this program gets excellent feedback from parents, who often have challenges finding summer programming for their children.

A common comment from parents of students involved with the program is that the program fosters personal growth for their children.

“It has been so valuable to the families, as well as to the people that participate,” says Galloway.

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