Progressive Living for Exceptionally Challenged Adults (PLECA)

PLECA was founded in the spring of 2008 in response to a crisis in affordable, equitable housing for young adults with intellectual disabilities.

There are currently 2600 names on a waiting list for provincially funded group homes in Ontario. Furthermore, if a family is able to secure a placement in a group home, they have very little control over the location, the daily routines and who their child resides with. Essentially group homes provide an institutionalized setting where the residents are not empowered or expected to participate in the day to day operation of the home. They also have to reside with residents possessing a wide range of ability and staff has to spend more time with the residents who have the greater challenges.

PLECA is dedicated to providing an opportunity for adults with challenges to live as typical a life as possible. We want them to reside with one or two friends and have control over the operation of the residence, make decisions about their own daily routines and have direct input into the preparation and planning of meals, home maintenance and recreational activities within the home. Each of these adults receives a monthly disability pension. This money, when combined, would pay for the rent, food and maintenance of the residence.

The overwhelming obstacle to pursuing this goal is the money that is imperative for the staff that would be required for supervision in the evenings, overnight, in the morning and on weekends. Donations would make an incredible difference in the lives of these young people who, as a group, do not have a voice and depend on others to advocate for them. They are inquisitive, capable young people who require supervision to carry out the tasks of daily life.

PLECA is committed to giving these young people a voice and to facilitating this supervision.