The following article was written by Shannon Dueck for Steinbach Online on February 20.
Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has given the green light for a group home to open in Mitchell.
Representatives for Initiatives for Just Communities (IJC), also known as El’dad, appeared before Council with the proposal. The organization would like to open a residential home in order to support up to six adult females living with intellectual disabilities.
In her proposal to Council, Bella Harder said the home would have two staff on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to support these individuals with things like household tasks, building positive relationships, community engagement, and encouraging independence. IJC would be the leaseholder, and their maintenance staff and safety committee would ensure the maintenance and safety of the property. According to Hanover Administration, IJC has stated that its staff and management would develop support and safety plans to address safety concerns regarding residents, visitors, and the community.
The group home will open in a duplex at 64 and 66 Birchwood Lane in Mitchell.
Hanover Permit Administrator Amos Wiebe says IJC is a responsible member of the Hanover Community. He says this proposal addresses a need in the municipality and region for supportive housing for adults with disabilities. Wiebe says Administration does not have any concerns with the proposal.
At the public hearing, it was indicated that the municipality had not received any written correspondence from the public concerning this application. Mitchell Councillor Brian Esau indicated that he too has heard no concerns from residents.
“(I) commend you for the program,” Esau told representatives from IJC. “We definitely need these programs in our communities.”
Esau also referred to it as a very worthwhile program.
Esau made a motion to approve the request with the condition that the number of residents on this parcel, excluding staff, not exceed six. The motion was approved unanimously.
“There was no opposition from the community,” adds Reeve Jim Funk. “And I think in this case, Council saw a lot of value in that, and therefore it was a unanimous yes for El’dad to go ahead.”
Funk says IJC is doing a wonderful job of helping individuals who are in need.
