Dorval-Strathmore United Church works with the West Island Citizen Advocacy, a registered charitable, non-profit community group whose mission is to recruit, screen, train, match and follow-up volunteer citizen advocates who work one-to-one or on a team with persons who are handicapped or are disadvantaged in our community.
The West Island Citizen Advocacy Church Apartment Program (CAP) was established in 1986 to respond to the desperate need on the West Island for long term, loving supportive housing for adults who experience mental health problems.
CAP provides permanent housing with daily living support and seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals who struggle with long-term mental health problems.
These adults are receiving ongoing psychiatric care and may, in addition, have a mild intellectual handicap. The program is carried out with the active support and participation of 7 local churches that provide the apartments and the team of volunteer advocates. Citizen Advocacy staff members recruit, screen, train and support teams of volunteer advocates from these churches.
These church advocates provide residents with emotional support engage them in daily activities and help with living, coping and social skills. This support enables residents to improve their self-esteem and achieve an increased level of autonomy, stability and community integration.
The West Island Citizen Advocacy Church Apartment Program (CAP) was established in 1986 to respond to the desperate need on the West Island for long term, loving supportive housing for adults who experience mental health problems.
CAP provides permanent housing with daily living support and seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals who struggle with long-term mental health problems.
These adults are receiving ongoing psychiatric care and may, in addition, have a mild intellectual handicap. The program is carried out with the active support and participation of 7 local churches that provide the apartments and the team of volunteer advocates. Citizen Advocacy staff members recruit, screen, train and support teams of volunteer advocates from these churches.
These church advocates provide residents with emotional support engage them in daily activities and help with living, coping and social skills. This support enables residents to improve their self-esteem and achieve an increased level of autonomy, stability and community integration.