"Six Nations Woman Honored for Service to Handicapped"

Carolyn Beaver is living proof that necessity really is the mother of invention.

The creator, administrator and heart behind the Six Nations Special Services for Special People was honored by her co-workers, politicians and friends Saturday for 10 years of service to the disabled native community.

"I was at home and I was having problems," she said explaining the evolution of the program. "It was a number of things. I was acting out of my own need. I have a handicapped child and I was unable to find services for him."

Pushed by a desire to help her son, John Van Every, her project took shape a decade ago when her frustration about an inability to find a school, employment and medical assessments for her child came to a head.

All available services required a lengthy trip off the reserve which she said was unsatisfactory.

At one time, John, who is now 31 years old, had to go to Barrie to go to school.

"He didn't like to be that far away," she said. "I recognized he should be here, that he should be with his own people."

Beginning with a staff of one - herself - Ms. Beaver set out to provide opportunities for mentally and physically handicapped young adults.

Clients were found by getting names of special education students from education offices.

Finding financial support was a tougher challenge.

For nine years the editor of Tekawanake, a native newspaper, Ms. Beaver developed a lengthy contact list. Although that career ended when the program started, she used her contacts to approach people to ask for money to fund the special services program.

"They were very supportive of the idea but not in dollar terms," she said. "I think we were a little ahead of our time in terms of looking after the disabled Indian population."

Until the Ministry of Community and Social Services came on board financially in 1964, the program, which involved between 10 and 15 clients, relied on community volunteers to operate.

Ms. Beaver said she still fundraises constantly.

Now, with the constantly-growing support of the community and a client list exceeding 200, the program offers instruction in life skills, budgeting, leisure activities, social skills and home care as well as "assistance in any area."

There are currently plans to create a group home and a greenhouse operation.

However, the most pressing priority is to establish a permanent home for the program.

At present, four buildings house the program but Ms. Beaver said she dreams of having one location.

"Our ultimate goal is to have our own facility," she said, adding she believes it is a reachable goal "hopefully within the next five years."

The satisfaction and rewards she gets from working with the participants stems from improvements she sees in them as they develop.

She said for many, the program is a stepping stone to move into a job outside the borders of special services.

"Ours is the first step. Ours is to get them out of the house. Ours is so they'll get up in the morning at a certain time. It is developing good habits, that's what it is," she said.