The world has not always been kind to people living with a physical or intellectual disability. It often still isn’t, even in our supposedly enlightened century. But for 50 years, the Beehive Adult Service Centre, a non-profit agency in Aylesford, has offered support, compassion, and dignity to people whose abilities might otherwise be overlooked.
“They have lives just like the rest of us,” says Beehive manager Cora Auclair, who has been with the organization for 27 years. “For anybody, self-esteem and being proud of your accomplishments during the day and learning as you grow, it just improves your day. And people need purpose.”
The Beehive currently has 30 clients from the ages of 21 to 70 who are finding that purpose. They work in the bakery, sew lobster bait bags, make kindling, monitor the Diabetes Association’s donation bins or run the redemption centre, among other things. Clients also have the chance to do life skills training, literacy and basic computer skills. In short, the opportunity to pursue continued education and follow their own interests, according to their own abilities.
“We're all about independence and being self-advocates. For people to follow their dreams,” says Auclair. “For people to know that it's okay to say things that they want to do with their lives, and to see what we can do to help them achieve those things.”
Valerie DeLong is one of the Beehive’s youngest clients. In her four years at the centre she figures she’s done every kind of job they have to offer.
“I would have to say my favourite part is certainly the sewing, because I took right to it,” says DeLong. “Loved it, enjoyed it. Being part of the Beehive is learning new things and being able to say I have a job, say I get paid.”
DeLong has also started going out to monitor the Diabetes Association donation bins, “going on runs” as the staff call it. Staff check the bins and bring the donations back to the Beehive for pickup.
“It just gives me a chance to get out and learn something new and meet new friends and new people and experience new things,” says DeLong.
Auclair believes that initiatives like this and the enviro depot give Beehive clients like DeLong a say and a stake in the broader community. Familiarity and shared purpose help erase stigmas and misconceptions about disability.
“Aylesford is a small community. We've been operating the enviro depot since 1996 and that's helped educate the community about the Beehive,” says Auclair, “and for our clients to be part of cleaning up the planet and keeping stuff out of landfills. They know the importance of that and they're part of that.”
Staff member Joyce Andrews has been with the centre for over 28 years. She wants to get to 30, but at this stage of her life is taking things year-by-year and day-by-day. Her thoughts have been turning toward the understanding of the Beehive’s purpose that she’s gained in nearly three decades and how to pass that on.
“It's not all about just working and trying to get all the things done that you know you need to get done in the day,” says Andrews. “The client, they're important. Because every client is individual. Each one is different. Just to be patient and to spend time with them and learn who they are as a person, their likes and dislikes, and build that good relationship with them. That's important.”
The Beehive’s current goal is to install an elevator to help people with mobility issues access the building’s top floor and basement. Anyone interested in helping fund this initiative, or who would like to get involved, can contact the Beehive through their website, http://www.beehiveasc.ca/, or call 902-847-9696.
