Social Services Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor was in La Ronge today for the grand opening of a day program and supported independent living program.

The facility is operated by North Sask Special Needs Housing, Employment and Recreation.

It provides supports and programming for 12 people with disabilities.

Funding for this project is $390,000.

Beaudry-Mellor says the program provides clients with community-based programming and culturally-appropriate skill-building activities.

“This is a place where people with intellectual or cognitive disabilities to come and to participate in arts and crafts or to talk to other folks,” she says. “It’s a place for individuals to go to have a sense of belonging in the community and it’s also a space for us to determine what kinds of needs and other supports they need in the community.”

NSN also operates a participant cooking program where individuals develop healthy cooking and eating practices and are provided meals.