Abilitas Receives Farm Credit Canada's AgriSpirit Grant
The Abilitas Foundation is pleased to announce that the Cold Water Ranch Lodge initiative was recently selected by Farm Credit Canada out of 1374 applicants to receive an AgriSpirit Grant.
"[The Abilitas Foundation's] project exemplifies the volunteer spirit that is alive in rural Canada," says Tracy Railton of Farm Credit Canada. True rural spirit is what is at the core of the FCC AgriSpirit Fund, which aims to make life better for people in rural communities across Canada.
The grant, in the amount of $20,000, will be used by the Abilitas Foundation to create covered and accessible cattle & wildlife observation decks at the Cold Water Ranch. The decks will be wheelchair accessible and will provide lodge visitors with a sheltered space to get closer to nature and observe the cattle, birds and wildlife of the ranch.
The grant will also be used to create an accessible garden space for Power to Be's outdoor therapy programs. "I believe in using a garden space as a valuable teaching tool," says Carinna Kenigsberg, Adaptive Recreation Program Manager with Power to Be. "It has empowered people with sensory difficulties to gain confidence and awareness, while providing a safe place for people to try new things & connect to the land."
The garden space & observation decks will be built in spring 2010, ready to be enjoyed when the Cold Water Ranch Lodge opens its doors.
Did you realize...
One in six BC residents has a permanent disability, whether this is a visual impairment, a spinal cord injury, or another kind of physical or cognitive impairment. Most of them live below the poverty line. Issues of cost and accessibility make much-needed respite and opportunities for outdoor recreation unattainable dreams for many families & individuals.
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