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A Not-For-Profit Co-operative of Persons Living With a Disability
Valley Support Services Group Co-operative Limited
PO Box 2290 • Wolfville, Nova Scotia • B4P 2N5
Valley SSG assists its members to find their own home/apartment in the community. SSG believes in the right of the individual to live where they want and with whom they want. SSG helps its members to find and hire an attendant of their choice.
One of the principles of the co-operative is mutual self-help. This is the pillar of SSG. Co-operatives are administered and regulated through the Co-operatives Associations Act of Nova Scotia. Article three of the Act states: "… (the) primary purpose is to provide service to its members…which belong to people who use the services, the control of which rests equally with all its members..."
Our History
Established in August 1991 by families who had a vision of their children living independently within their communities. We serve and advocate for persons with disabilities to live independent lives with adequate supports and maintain choice and control in their lives with personal decision making.
Over the past eleven years, the cooperative has grown to the point where many people with disabilities are successfully maintaining choice and control in their lives. Homes have been established for more than 35 cooperative members between Windsor and Coldbrook. Many SSG members participate in work, literacy programs, and community activities.
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Mission Statement
Support Services Group Co-operative Ltd. Seeks to encourage self-supported and self-managed living for its members in a manner that allows maximum freedom and dignity.
"The principle freedom of choice is one of the principles on which SSG is founded."
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Our Goals
- To maximize the freedom, dignity and decision-making of people living with a disability.
- A desire to involve family and friends in a support network for the person with a disability.
- To provide a cost-effective alternative living option.
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Objectives
- To address and resolve problems faced by the person with a disability in establishing and maintaining an independent life.
- To maximize individual freedoms and ensure protection against abuse.
- To ease transition from living with immediate families into living in the larger community.
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Role of Valley SSG
- Help the member create and maintain an Individual Support Group.
- Help establish suitable housing.
- Help in hiring support staff.
- In general, assist with all challenges of independent living.
"Individuals should be involved to the greatest extent possible in decisions that affect them."
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Fundamental Principles
- That the member's life be self-directed.
- That a support group of family/friends of the member's choice is in place to provide support and/or guidance.
- The decision-making powers which directly affect the individual must rest with that individual and/or support group.
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Volunteers Needed
Some need a supportive friend to help them enjoy all their community has to offer them. Transportation to and from monthly SSG Valley Cluster meetings and people first meetings, for example, is difficult for a few. For some activities, members would be inspired and motivated by participating with a "kindred spirit."
Naturally, a police records check will be required for volunteers. Volunteer contracts are generally of three-month duration. Support Services Group provides orientation and arranges the initial meeting.
Volunteer
- Female to escort member to and participate in a ceramics-painting course in Berwick, evenings.
- Female to escort member to and from aquacise in Coldbrook, mornings.
- Female with interest in motorcycles and/or sports for friendly visits.
- Female to attend member on job search, suggesting where and how to submit resumes.
- Sketching instructor, tole painting instructor;
- Wardrobe assistant (several members, mending, altering, shopping caring for, organizing).
- Friendly visitor with interest in history (particularly U.S. Civil War, W .W .I &II)
- Able-bodied interior decorators to assist in hanging drapes, furniture arrangement, kitchen organization, etc.
- Voice instructor
- Trainer of web search techniques to work in member's home or at C@pSite
- Friendly visitor who is a card fanatic, preferably Crazy 8's and Cribbage
- Romance novel reader (to read to an audience), especially a reader who enjoys the genre
- Document processor who can assist member in formatting his screenplay
- Friendly visitor who enjoys jigsaw puzzles
- Empathic listeners with keyboarding skills to help members write their personal stories
- Woodworker with workshop tools
- Bowling Fans
- Potter/Sculptor
The supported member, the attendant,
the individual support group and the
coordinator all have an integral role in the
smooth functioning of the independent
living arrangement.
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Our Funding
SSG assists its members in obtaining the funding necessary for independent living. SSG is a service co-op. SSG's financial resources come from a fee which is part of the member's budget as approved by the Department of Community Services.
Out Present membership is represented in Halifax/Dartmouth/Bedford/Sackville/Annapolis Valley and Bridgewater.
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Co-operation Makes It Work!
Our History | Mission Statement | Our Goals | Objectives | Role of Valley SSG
Fundamental Principles | Volunteers Needed | Our Funding | Contact Information | Personal Stories
Supported by
Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre
Technical Resource Centre
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