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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 19, 2014 | 10 Renovations improving life at Jean and Howard Caine building by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver The legacy Jean and Howard Caine left as advocates for physically-challenged people is enshrined in the Oakville apartment bearing their names. The couple, which founded local radio station CHWO 1250 in 1956 (Jean also co-founded JOY 1250 and CJMR 1320), took up the cause for the physically disabled after their daughter, Pamela Caine-Stokes, contracted polio as a child. Caine-Stokes followed in her parent's footsteps and fought for accessibility in public buildings and barrier-free housing. In November 1995, a 59-unit housing complex -- the Jean and Howard Caine Apartments -- opened at 259 Robinson St. in recognition of their contributions. It was the first building opened by March of Dimes' Non-Profit Housing Corporation, which was established in 1992 to develop and promote affordable supportive housing for people with physical disabilities. A celebratory event to unveil its recent renovations was held last week. It drew local dignitaries, members of the Caine and Gittings families and The Jean and Howard Caine Apartments, which is affiliated with Ontario March of Dimes, now boasts some upgraded rooms. Pictured, Ontario March of Dimes President and CEO Andria Spindel shows off the new kitchen area of the activity room. | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook. com/HaltonPhotog) March of Dimes officials, Mattamy Homes and the Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). "The Jean and Howard Caine Apartments became the vision of a group of local residents and March of Dimes staff, catalyzed by a determined, young woman named Pamela CaineStokes," said Andria Spindel, March of Dimes Ontario president and CEO. "With Pam, the community and our board of directors of the Non-Profit Housing Corporation, we were able to see the vision come to reality." Spindel said the apartment building is "very emblematic of our vision of inclusiveness and independence, of community engagement and the full participation of people with disabilities." "Ontario March of Dimes searched for a mechanism to help people with disabilities find affordable and accessible housing. In 1992, an opportunity appeared in the form of a provincial grant-funding program," said Spindel. Oakville resident Edward (Ted) Gittings said prior to the apartment's construction, there was a grocery store and parking lot on the site. When the store was put up for sale 20 years ago, Gittings said, Howard and Jean felt there was an opportunity to open a residence for people with disabilities "right in the heart of Oakville." Howard and Jean Caine felt it was wrong for disabled people to have to go outside their community. When it first opened, there was a small room for staff and offices for the property manager and management personnel, Spindel said, noting the activity room contained only a sink, microwave and coffee machine. Recently, the building has seen its spaces "opened up and modernized" and all damaged or cracked floors have been replaced, she explained. "The lighting is brighter and we've integrated the office and attendant staff (into) one area where they can share the kitchen. Things are more accessible to everybody. The activity room now has a complete kitchen," said Spindel. "We can actually hold functions there and make a full meal for people, which we couldn't before." The renovations have made the building "much more inviting," Spindel said. "If you have three or four people in a wheelchair, it's hard for them to be in one apartment at the same time, but they can meet here (activity room) and be in that space," said Spindel. "It will integrate people better and bring about more social interaction. It's like an additional living room for people to come and congregate." Spindel estimated the upgrades cost between $150,000-$170,000, which included contributions from LHIN, Mattamy Homes and private foundations. Spindel said there was opposition from some in the community when the building was first proposed in 1994-95. By the time it opened, however, everybody was "on board and were supportive and excited." "The tenants were always welcomed, but there was an initial resistance. I'm happy to say that the Town of Oakville has always been welcoming. The apartments are very, very important in the community." SEPTEMBER early bird special! 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