To be fulfilled, we must be free to achieve.

Whether it´s a job promotion, buying a first car, or being recognized for an artistic, athletic or community achievement – we all set goals; and in meeting them we both discover who we are, and find the confidence to tackle the next, bigger obstacle. This is how we grow, feel alive, find fulfillment and take our place in the world.

Since 1973, the Alice Saddy Association has supported those who feel that people – including people with developmental disabilities – are more alive when they are free to challenge their limits and experience the dignity of becoming the person they know they can be.

Our Founder: Alice Saddy

Everyone is entitled to experience the joy of achievement. When the church that Alice Saddy attended developed a foundation to commemorate her community service, they imbued it with the philosophy she embodied: a philosophy that views all people as having the right to reach their fullest potential.

A co-operative approach drawn from a belief that working together as equals builds better communities, not only defines how we work with the individuals we support, it also defines how we engage our staff, our volunteers and other agencies in our community.

Who We Are

To lift others so that they become accustomed to lifting themselves, requires a team effort. We take an inclusive approach to service that helps people believe in themselves because they experience people believing in them. Alice Saddy staff members, students, volunteers, family members and the individuals they support all play their parts as equals in a process that works to help persons with developmental disabilities take their rightful places in our community.

History

Alice Saddy was a woman well known in London for her volunteer work assisting adults with disabilities. When she passed away in her early forties, a committee from her church, St. Peter's Basilica, was formed to find a way to honour her memory. A donation fund was established that enabled an "apartment training" program for people with developmental disabilities. This organization eventually became know as the Alice Saddy Association.

The Alice Saddy Association´s first home at 302 Wolfe Street was opened in November 1973. The original concept was to teach daily living skills that would enable people to live independently. Eventually, as the new concept was proven to work, the Ministry of Community & Social Services took over responsibility for funding.

Early in 1976, the Supported Independent Living program was established to assist people in their own apartments. By 1980, there were nine people living at 302 Wolfe St. and 15 people were living on their own with support.

Philosophy

The Alice Saddy Association believes that all persons have the right to be respected as valued members of their communities and that all people must:

• Have the opportunity to be active, contributing members of their communities,
• Be recognized as individuals capable of making unique and valued contributions,
• Have the opportunity to take responsibility for themselves,
• Have the opportunity to develop skills and/or be provided with supports that enable them to live in an independent or shared environment of their choosing.

We believe that mutual respect enhances every person's sense of self-worth and equality, and that the uniqueness of every person is something to be celebrated, supported and acknowledged. We also believe that this celebration of the individual benefits the whole community.

Our philosophy inspires our principles of service:

1. We believe in the ability of individuals to make their own decisions.
2. We believe that the individual has the right to request support and advocacy from family/friends throughout their lifetime without interference from our agency.
3. We believe in the development of a community that is interdependent and mutually supportive of all of its members.
4. We believe that individuals have the right to participate in determining the supports required to meet their needs.
5. We believe that individuals have a right to access supports that provide them with equal opportunity to live as other members of their community live.