Community Living North Perth is advocating for sustainable funding as the Developmental Services sector faces critical challenges.
Organization like Community Living rely on the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funding which has not benefited from any cost of living increases from the Ministry over the last 30 years.
Heidi Long, a Supporter Coordinator with Community Living says while the cost of living has gone up, support funding for the DS sector has not changed and its hitting locally.
“While the costs in that time period has increased 85 per cent. Our funding has not changed to reflect the added costs. In the last 3 years alone costs have increased 16 per cent. Just everything from utility to insurance and vehicle, fuel and food. It makes it that much more difficult to run with the limited funds.” said Long
Sara Speiran who’s been supported with the help of Community Living says being part of something so great has allowed her to get out into the community.
“Community Living is a second home. They help me with everyday activities, they help me participate in activities. I go curling, I play pickleball, I volunteer at Westfield with the snack program. I volunteer at the Library, the poppy campaign and I go to BandJam, craft nights and bingo” said Speiran.
Community Living has turned to social media, encouraging supports to use the hashtag #5tosurvive and tag Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae with hopes action can be taken with a new budget coming which will see support for the DS sector.
