Dear Editor:
An open letter to Laura Hanley, executive director, Community Living Guelph Wellington.
On behalf of our son Christopher, Kathy and I want to express our displeasure with the recent news that the Harriston Day Program is closing. It has been Chris’ second home for many years. A place where he engaged with his friends, some of whom he has known for many years.
It is also a place that we knew Chris was safe attending, with wonderful staff to support him. The move to close it baffles us as does the move to have support staff come to our home on a limited basis. It is not an adequate substitute for the day program. There has to be a way to save the day programs. If it is about money, it can be found. If your organization believes this change is for the betterment of the clients, you are surely wrong.
Your programming changes may be all well and good for the higher functioning clients, but certainly is not the case for Chris. And what about the volunteers and donors who have supported the Harriston centre for all these years? Where was their say in this matter?
As usual, the needs of North Wellington are ignored by Guelph.
We urge you and the board to reconsider this decision.
Dave and Kathy Wilson,
Palmerston
