Elisabeth Heslop
Sarah Van De Walker likes an adventure. In 2007, she and a friend dropped everything and spent three weeks backpacking across Europe.
Her latest adventure, though, is perhaps one of her most important.
Van De Walker left Oshawa, and the big-city life she had known, and moved to small-town Fort Frances to work with Community Living Fort Frances and District on a one-year internship.
“It was a terrifying yet thrilling experience to move from southern Ontario,” she said, adding the first two or three weeks were “rough” and a “big change from downtown Toronto” where she previously had worked.
Despite the sudden change, Van De Walker said she adapted quickly.
“People have been really welcoming and very nice, and that has definitely helped the transition,” she remarked.
Van De Walker said she’s enjoying living here now, and is especially looking forward to experiencing our summer and fall seasons.
Mostly, though, she is enjoying her work.
As community development co-ordinator, Van De Walker assists with the “organization and the implementation of communication events while informing the community of what programs are offered by Community Living.”
“So far I’ve just been getting my feet wet,” she noted.
She has started out working with the “Best Buddies” program, a transitional program for high school students and those just out of high school who have learning disabilities.
They go bowling at Plaza Lanes every Wednesday with Community Living staff.
She also helped with Community Living’s Mother’s Day plant sale last week, and will be a part of the upcoming bedding plant sale on May 14-16 at the activity centre on Scott Street.
She noted they also will have their environmental bags at the plant sale, which are available for a $15 donation.
Van De Walker said she’s really excited to be working for an organization like Community Living.
“It advocates for people who have intellectual disabilities,” she explained. “The goal is to make sure people with learning disabilities can still live in a state of dignity.
“People with these disabilities have a right to be treated with respect,” she stressed.
With that goal in mind, Van De Walker will be working hard this summer as the event schedule fills up starting at the end of May.
