Our History
St. Eugene Hope For The Future A 24 Year Journey Of Disability Companionship
On February 2, 1997 we, the parents of St. Eugene Hope For The Future Foundation, began pressing forward through the complexities of raising confident independent children with disabilities. One simple premise has lighted our way: if we help our children, we will help ourselves. Over twenty-four years our foundation parents and volunteers alike have worked tirelessly creating a habitat of normalcy and an atmosphere of inclusion through organizing group outings and trips. Christmas and birthday celebrations have helped our children experience joy and developed friendships. Their different diagnoses of Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and other physical and psychological disabilities have beenfaced and embraced together. Our fundraising efforts became more widespread in October,26. 2001 when Circle Of Hope Support Group acquired a charity number and became St Eugene Hope For The Future Foundation. Becoming a non-profit charity has allowed St Eugene Hope For The Future Foundation to accept tax-refundable donations. Hope For The Future is only the second Polish -Canadian organization to receive charitable status.
Over the years we have established a relationship with several local therapy professionals. It’s hard to say how many professionals have come to our aid over the years, but they’ve shared expertise in social work, physical therapy, music therapy, massage therapy, speech therapy, and one-on-one tutoring just to skim the surface. This has allowed our members to encourage and cheer each other on as new milestones of development and physical health are reached. Physical and behavioural therapy is a difficult, long term, expensive, and immensely discouraging process, but together it becomes easier to endure. As an effective and innovative therapy becomes available, it requires travel, and living expenses. It is brought to our attention that the Foundation has two ways of approaching this dilemma. We could raise its costs and send one member oversees. We could also connect with the doctor or therapist, find a facility that was willing to accommodate, partially supplement the cost of therapy and airfare, and provide the service locally for all our members who could benefit. The choice has been simple. It has been a large and expensive undertaking, but through the help of many goodhearted sponsors such a feat has been successfully accomplished not once but twice. To educate and inform themselves, our members have participated in several workshops on topics such as psychological wellness and power of attorney or supplemental decision making. Specialized vendors have provided us with equipment demonstrations such as Mediconsuit’s MRS.2000. As time passed, the Foundation has purchased several pieces of equipment that now circulates to our members, having a positive impact on their bodies in the comfort of their homes.
Whom do we help? There are many answers to that question: we have no age cut off. We help members at any age. We aren’t defined by diagnoses. Disabled individuals of all disabilities born with or acquired later in life are welcome. We aren’t defined by cities. Our members live in many Ontario neighbourhoods. It is true that our members are predominantly Polish, but no one will ever leave without receiving the help they require.
How can you the reader reach out a helping hand? Our Foundation relies heavily on private donations. Donate at your local St Stanislaus- St Casimir’s Polish Parishes Credit Union Limited, account nr. 93757, and contact us for a tax receipt. The community can help us by attending our annual fundraising banquets and concerts. The pandemic has halted many fundraising efforts and forced us into virtual operations. All the more, we the members of St. Eugene Hope For The Future need our community to stand by us. Our disabilities don’t hibernate do to a world pandemic, but funds and access to services are currently limited due to restrictions.
We’d like to express our deepest gratitude to each and every volunteer, for their help is priceless. A word of thanks to all the sponsors whose financial contributions over the years have enabled our mission to continue. We’d like to thank the Oblate Congregation and the pastoral team of St. Eugene De Mazenod parish in Brampton Ontario for their help and support. For more information please contact by e-mail contact@steugenehope.org .
Justyna Zmurko
St Eugene Hope For The Future 