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The hostel would provide a year- long, in-house training program for those with intellectual challenges and then links to a job outside the hostel. For now, the link with Kuku Hut is the first real test of the newly-established ACCEPTional Foundations training program established by Duffy and Amy Clackett, both employed in the social work field. Both Duffy and Matthew (who is Duffys significant other) have known one another since attending Aquinas. Both now work for the Oakville-based Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK). Through the research-based training pro- gram developed by Duffy and Clackett, Erinn is a first test of the program. Duffy said Erinn participates in craft and other activities through her day program, but has the potential to achieve more. Erinn is very capable and definitely could contribute and she would gain so much from it, so much, said Duffy. She noticed that not long after beginning her training, Erinn, when asked about her program that day, said she was at work. Duffy said Erinns adult peers are always speaking of work, so Erinn, too, can now speak of her work and does. The personable Erinn is proving to be a big hit in the customer service aspect of her job. Erinn is such a personable and social but- terfly. She can talk to anyone, she could talk to a brick wall...shes great with people, said Duffy, noting Erinn is already expounding to customers on the affairs of Kenya and what soapstone is, etc. and informing most cus- tomers her own birthday is coming up. While the young local residents are estab- lishing themselves in the local workplace and venturing out in new businesses with a keen eye to philanthropy, they are at the same time assisting others, in Africa and in social need, all while doing the same for their own family and community. The kiosk opened in late November and will continue operating until Christmas. Just days after opening, Erinn was on hand for her training. To date, she is putting in sev- eral nights weekly during the Christmas rush. She is not alone in learning, nor is her train- ing the responsibility of her employer. An ACCEPTional volunteer is assisting her in meeting the goals established for her when the on-site job training was selected for her. I am genuinely interested in bringing to the attention of people everywhere how capa- ble, frequently astonishing, and incredibly special people with mental challenges are. Although there are a handful of programs, such as the Special Olympics, with this goal, I feel as if the Far and Wide Bike Trek can truly drive the point home, said Matthew upon embarking on his cross-continent trek called the Far and Wide Bike Trek. All my life, a life spent with a younger sis- ter who has Down syndrome, I believed that inclusion was the way of the future, that she would graduate and become a part of the community, that she was someone who could contribute just like anyone else. I have learned that the idea, and the words around it, is still in vogue. Its the practice thats wanting, stated Matthew on his trek website. Since her graduation, she takes part in a day program where the only normal people are her supervisors. She has become invisible again, part of a protected ghetto for people with disabilities, safe from others and them safe from her. It saddens me to see that we continue to isolate people with mental dis- abilities because we dont understand or are uncomfortable with what we see as unbridge- able differences. I have firsthand knowledge of how little society, as a whole, understands the challenges people with mental disabilities face on a daily basis. With only negligible help on the part of the community, many of these individuals lives can be made infinitely more manageable, stated Matthew. So the ACCEPTional Foundation has assumed the monumental task of creating, cultivating and facilitating that negligible help. According to Duffy, the board has a wide range of individual volunteers, from an accountant to social workers to business graduates, some of whom have some connec- tion to those with mental disabilities, others seeking experience and others passionate about equality, change and integration. ACCEPTional believes it is in everyones best interest to challenge the current norm and to create a workforce open and able to employing individuals with developmental disabilities, said Bursey. Not out of pity, but because individuals with disabilities are skilled, capable, talented and eager to con- tribute and because, when more people con- tribute, when more people are engaged and active, we all win. Anyone interested in participating in the program can contact Matthew Bursey by call- ing 905-330-9482 or through email at bursey- matthew@gmail.com or Duffy at kukuhut- corner@gmail.com. All my life, a life spent with a younger sister who has Down syndrome, I believed that inclusion was the way of the future, that she would graduate and become a part of the community, that she was someone who could contribute just like anyone else. I have learned that the idea, and the words around it, is still in vogue. Its the practice thats wanting. Matthew Bursey, ACCEPTional Foundation Erinn Bursey needs opportunity to prove ability Continued from page 36 IF EVERYONE COMPLIMENTS YOU ON THE COFFEE YOU SERVE AT HOME AND THE OFFICE Bronte Roa d Burloak Driv e Burlington Street Barton Q EWRed HillK en ni lw or th Pa rk da le 8:00am-6:00pm 9:00am-4:00pm 11:00am - 3:00pm 790 Redwood SQ I Oakville 905-847-1800 420 Parkdale Ave. N I Hamilton 905-528-1858 ONE BLOCK WEST OF FOURTH LINE BOXING WEEK SPECIALS UP TO 50% OFF CAKES, COOKIES & CHOCOLATES KEURIG B60 SPECIAL EDITION $129.99 *WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. FREE REWARDS BAG SAVES 10% ON ALL FUTURE PURCHASES. OPEN BOXING DAY. 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