Rotary support transforms community program

ACCESS House, a transitional housing service for young people with mental illness, has a new lease on life thanks to the Rotary Club of St. John�s.

As the major project for 2002, the Rotary Club of St. John�s raised a total of $110,000 to renovate and refurbish the ACCESS House property inside and out.

"These renovations allow ACCESS House to continue to provide the best environment for young people with mental illness to develop and maintain an independent lifestyle," said Karen Moores, manager of ACCESS House. Ms. Moores said the renovations ensure a quality of life for ACCESS House clients as they develop skills that enable them to live a more full and productive life. "Without financial support from the Rotary Club of St. John�s, these renovations would have been next to impossible. No one should forget, though, the very fact that Rotarians chose ACCESS House as a major project is a powerful message to our clients that the wider community supports them. That alone will help in ways that cannot be measured."

Minister of Health and Community Services Gerald Smith officially opened the renovated facility in a ceremony today. "Every person in our province has the right to the best possible quality of life. ACCESS House provides a tremendous service in our province by helping those with mental illness live to their full potential. On behalf of the people of our province, I extend thanks to Rotarians and their supporters for the work they have done assisting ACCESS House clients," said Minister Smith.

ACCESS House is a transitional housing service for people who face challenges in maintaining an independent lifestyle, due to the effects of mental illness. The program is located in St. John�s and accepts referrals from across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Rotary Club of St. John�s was formed in 1921 and was the first community service club established in Newfoundland. The club assisted ACCESS House with tendering, design and construction in addition to funding. Past club projects include support for Iris Kirby House, the Autism Resource Centre, and Rotary Sunshine Park.

Media contact:

Catherine Barrett, Rotary Club of St. John�s, (709) 777-3653
Karen Moores, St. John�s Health and Community Services, (709) 737-4663
Diane Keough, Department of Health and Community Services (709) 729-1377

2002 11 29                                       3:40 p.m.