Charity Partner: Connect 4 Life

Canadian Small Business Women is proud to announce our Charity Partner Connect 4 Life.  We are very passionate about our community and is always trying to find ways to make an impact.  Connect 4 Life allows us to make a direct impact through donations and volunteering as well as allowing us the opportunity to spread the word to our community about their mission.

Connect 4 Life is a charity that vows to make a difference by empowering individuals with disabilities to become more independent, contributing members of society. Connect 4 Life’s unique education and training programs are tailored to address all stages of life and encourage skill development along a continuum from basic life skills to full independence including job readiness.

We serve clients in Peel, Halton and GTA Regions and look forward to expansion to other areas throughout Ontario in the future.

The number of people living with a disability is staggering.  According to Statistics Canada, in 2010 there were approximately 2 million people, or 15.5% of the population in Ontario living with a disability, and this number will grow with the aging population.  In Peel Region alone, which has a disproportionate number of people living with either a visible or non-visible disability, there are over 171,030 people, or 14.8% of the population affected; a much higher rate than the provincial average.  In this post-economic crisis climate, due to both a lack in program availability and the absence of financial support to access local programs, the basic service needs of both children and adults in the Peel region living with disabilities are left unmet. This trend is also seen in Halton and GTA Regions.

As an agency, Connect 4 Life meets the needs of those individuals through the provision of accessible, relevant programming. We offer services in the areas of Training, Advocacy & Referral, Counseling and Support, Public Education & Training, and Voices 4 Ability, an internet based radio station.

C4L – Programs & Services

• Training Programs

1. Life Skills Training: Hands on training on basic life skills including cooking, cleaning, literacy, numeracy, computers, and social skills
2. Broadcasting Program (An Accessible Voice in Broadcasting): A practical introduction to basics in broadcasting covering areas such as research, writing, editing, hosting, and sales and production

• Advocacy & Referral

Service Coordination & referrals to other suitable community programs and services and relevant resources are provided to our clients.

• Education & Training for the public

We provide workshops for corporations, organizations and schools on sensitivity training, communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and change

• Voices 4 Ability Radio Station

Internet, radio station that is a mix of music and talk radio for people of all abilities.  We have programs on different disability issues topics, and highlight individuals who have overcome many challenges. www.v4aradio.com

Contact info

www.connect4life.ca

647-454-1252  melanie@connect4life.ca