If
there is one person who can speak of the value of Brockville & District
Association for Community Involvement (BDACI), it would be parent and
volunteer Irene Horbay. She has been involved with the association
in one way or another for over thirty years.
Irene’s involvement with the association began when her daughter, Paige, was very young. It was recommended that she go to the association’s nursery school. This first step turned out to be a very positive move on the road towards independence for Paige.
Today, Paige is still receiving support from BDACI. As she grows, the association continues to adapt and provide the required support for each of her life stages. Now that she is an adult, employment and housing are some of the key issues that BDACI is helping to address.
In addition to accessing the services at BDACI, Irene has been an active volunteer. In the past, she was a member of the board as well as various other committees. Irene currently sits on the Legacy Supports Committee, which focuses on long range planning and support for older families.
Although BDACI has provided excellent support, Irene still believes there are challenges for those with intellectual disabilities. She has fought for many opportunities for her daughter and others like her over the years. Though the community attitudes have changed, more advocacy needs to be done until every member of the community is treated equally.
Irene believes that United Way has helped in their quest for public awareness and acceptance. By including BDACI as a member agency, United Way is stating to the community that BDACI provides a valuable service and deserves assistance. BDACI and United Way need your support to ensure that those with intellectual disabilities and their families receive the help they need.
Photo - Irene with her daughter, Paige.