A direct support professional with a person supported smiling.

WHO WE ARE

Parents for Community Living (PCL) provides Group Living, Supported Independent Living, Employment and Day Supports for children, youth and adults in the Waterloo Region. We are a not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 1986 by a group of visionary parents and community members. PCL employs approximately 220 people.

PCL is part of an innovative new affordable housing partnership with two local not-for-profit organizations.  Learn more about our campaign of compassion

Our Mission

To offer meaningful services and supports for persons with exceptional needs.

Our Vision

Every person lives with dignity as a valued member of the community.

Our dream back in 1986 was to create an atmosphere where people with a developmental disability could grow in physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and become valued members of the community.

The efforts and financial contributions of the Provincial government, numerous friends, volunteers and parents have helped to make this dream a reality. Continued support from the community and individuals is critical to meeting this need for additional homes and expanded services.

OUR VALUES

In the tradition of our founding families, we value:

  • A Person-Centered Approach – personal growth and independence by respecting individual choice and changing needs.
  • Community Connection – involving those we support as active members of our community.
  • Family Involvement – continued connection and meaningful participation
  • Excellence in Leadership and Staff – caring, compassion, innovation and integrity.
  • Partnerships – working collaboratively to develop and deliver high quality programs and services.

TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Parents for Community Living acknowledges that the land on which we gather and work is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Neutral People. We acknowledge the enduring presence of the Indigenous people with whom we share this land, their achievements and their contributions to our community. We offer this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Watch our 30th Anniversary Video

Our History

From Dreams to Reality.

Conceived by a group of visionary parents of developmentally challenged adults, Parents For Community Living was incorporated in 1989 as a non-profit charitable organization. 

1986

The first gathering of parents took place to seek out how to best provide for their adult children when they would be alone in the world.

1988

With the generous financial support from local businesses, individuals and the St. Francis Catholic Church, the first home was purchased on Blueridge Avenue in Kitchener. The Blueridge house provides a home for four adults.

1992

With an estate donation and financial support from the Ontario Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, a second home was purchased on Crimson Crescent in Waterloo. The Crimson house provides a home for four adults.

1993

A Supported Independent Living (SIL) apartment supporting two men opened on Queen’s Boulevard in Kitchener.

1997

A Supported Independent Living apartment supporting two women was opened in the Crimson home. With financial support from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, a third home was purchased on Stanwood Drive in Waterloo. The Stanwood house provides a home for five adults.

1998

PCL hired a Managing Director and an Executive Director to provide management and leadership to the growing organization.

1999

PCL Celebrates 10 YearsPCL started to offer respite services which provides short-term care for individuals with developmental disabilities who continue to live at home, allowing a break for their families. PCL celebrates 10 years!

2001

Westvale HomeA fourth home was purchased as an Enhanced Supported Independent Living program on Westvale Drive in Waterloo. The Westvale house provided a home for four adults. PCL partnered with a retirement residence in Kitchener to provide out-of-home respite services. PCL receives full funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services for its operational costs.

2003

Pastern Trail HomeA fifth home was purchased on Pastern Trail in Waterloo. The Pastern house provides a home for four adults.

2004

Westheights HomeA sixth home was purchased as an Enhanced Supported Independent Living program on Westheights Drive in Kitchener. The Westheights house provides a home for four adults.

2006

Malabar HomeWith the assistance of funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and fund raised dollars, PCL purchased its first home for children on Malabar Drive in Waterloo. The Malabar house provides a home for two children and weekend respite support for an additional four children. March break, Christmas break and summer programs are also offered.

2007

PCL received capital and operational funds to open an adult Respite home on Evelyn Crescent in Kitchener.

 

 

 

2009

PCL celebrated its 20th anniversary!!

2010

PCL purchased its ninth home on Casey Drive in Kitchener. The Casey house provides a home for five adults.

2012

PCL sold the two-story home on Westvale Drive and purchased a bungalow on Monarch Place in Waterloo to provide 24 hour support for four aging individuals in need of a more accessible home. PCL also increased capacity by providing support for three new individuals from the community. The Westheights home becomes a 24 hour residential home.

2014

Forestlawn Home

With a significant estate donation, PCL purchases a home on Forestlawn and pays off the Monarch mortgage. The five women living at Casey move in and Casey is repurposed as a second children’s home for 4 children.

2016

Participants of the Core Dream club program dressed up for Halloween and posing for a picture.

Students working at their desks in a classroom learning computer skills.

PCL partners with CORE Lifestyle and Recreation Complex to offer day program options to the people we support and others in the community. PCL also begins a Computer Apprenticeship Program in partnership with both the Catholic and Public Boards of Education and Wilmot Technology through the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Up to 50 high school students participate annually to learn digital literacy skills.

2018

PCL purchases a retirement home in Breslau to respond to the demand for respite services. Five adults live there permanently and 8 adults receive respite on weekends. Our Evelyn home is repurposed to support five adults. PCL wins the Developmental Services Human Resources Leadership Award by its provincial peers.

2019

Governance Award

PCL celebrates its 30th anniversary! PCL wins the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Business of Excellence Award for Health and Wellness in the Workplace. The PCL Board of Directors wins the Governance Excellence Award from Capacity Canada and Manulife. PCL is nominated for an International Peace Award in Disability Empowerment from the Gandhian Initiative for Development of Support Services.

2020/21

Bridgeport and Lancaster

PCL partners with St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and MennoHomes to create 48 affordable housing units, a community hub, a commercial kitchen and worship space at 544 Bridgeport Road. PCL will have use of 10 apartments in the building and provide individualized day options and cooking classes at the hub.

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