Giving back to the community that has and continues to support both the organization and the individuals it supports was key to the Peace Region’s Accredited Supportive Living Services (ASLS) decision to establish the Accredited Supportive Living Services Limited (ASLS) Staff Gives Fund, an endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta.
Sunshine House Opening- 1972, ASLS’ first home in Peace River
“Since the organization’s inception, the community has rallied and supported our mission to support individuals with disabilities and that support continues today,” says CEO Rilla Websdale. “We wanted to create a lasting partnership with the communities in which we are located and one way to achieve that goal is by creating a legacy through the Community Foundation.”
ASLS has been in the community since the late 1960s when a group of parents and community members came together to start the organization to advocate for the education of children with developmental disabilities. The society continued to grow and evolve over the years and now provides programs and services to individuals with diverse needs in Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie, Fairview, Berwyn, Grimshaw and Peace River.
Season of Giving donation drive – L-R sitting Jen Drummond, Glory Przekop, L-R standing Erika Gilroy, Taylor Arnold & Liz Merlo
“Those needs include various developmental disabilities and dementia-related conditions,” explains Websdale. “Our focus moving forward is to expand our existing 24/7 residential support programs for individuals with complex needs.”
As part of ASLS’ mission of advocacy and community inclusion, the organization practices being a ‘good neighbour’ and creating community partnerships in all the communities in which it offers services.
Senior Leadership- CEO Rilla Websdale (sitting), L-R Director of Support Services Liz Merlo, Director of Finance Sandy Doll, Director of Programs Sterling Andrews
“The employees that work at ASLS are incredibly dedicated and generous, and there had been some discussion about how we as employees could give back to our community, beyond the work that we do day-to-day at ASLS,” says Websdale of the decision to establish the endowment fund.
Stone Brook our Designated Supportive Living Facility in Grimshaw
Understanding the importance of charitable giving, the staff of ASLS will strive to invest in the communities in which they work and live to help create a better community for all. To that end, the ASLS endowment fund will help support field of interest areas such as children and youth, health care for at-risk populations, housing needs or social services projects in Northwestern Alberta.
You can make a difference in our community – not only for today but forever. When you make a donation to the Accredited Supportive Living Services Limited (ASLS) Staff Gives Fund, we invest that gift into a permanent endowment fund and the original gift is never spent. Donations can be made online here – https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/41209 or by calling the Community Foundation at (780) 538-2820.
Golfworld on the Peace our mini-golf course in Peace River
