On April 25, 2006 Mr. Peter Henrico, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oceanex Inc. announced his company would lead the Building What Matters fundraising campaign for Easter Seals to raise $2 million to build a facility in C.A. Pippy Park for children in the province with physical disabilities. Easter Seals House will be built by summer 2009.
 

Artist's Conception - Husky Energy Easter Seals House
 

The Vision: A Place Where Dreams Matter
Husky Energy Easter Seals House will be home to the programs and activities of Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador.  Nestled in Pippy Park in St. John's, the facility will be specially designed and equipped to accommodate children with special physical needs. A truly accessible building, Husky Energy Easter Seals House will include a welcome area, gymnasium, multi-purpose room, kitchen, computer room, youth den, and a sensory room, along with administrative and support facilities. Outside, there will be a deck and adequate parking. Kids will also have access to a playground, trails, play areas, and a campfire and barbecue area.

The Benefits
Husky Energy Easter Seals House will improve programs and services for children with physical disabilities through increased opportunities to:

Exercise - Exercise is associated with decreased maladaptive behaviours in children with disabilities and decreased secondary health problems. Kids' self-esteem and self-confidence are boosted through participation in exercise and sports in a non-threatening environment.

Meet and overcome challenges in a safe and supportive environment - Many children with disabilities never get to experience the thrills that come from speed, height, or other forms of physical challenge. The new facility will offer children adventure therapy, such as a climbing wall or ropes, which has been shown to boost self-esteem and confidence.

Be outdoors - With much of the outdoors inaccessible to those with physical disabilities, the grounds at Husky Energy Easter Seals House will give these children a chance to enjoy the open air. Kids will be able to wander accessible wood trails, play basketball, navigate an obstacle course or go for a swing.

Be themselves - With much of the community moving toward inclusive programming, children with physical disabilities always find themselves in the minority. Husky Energy Easter Seals House will give them a place to be themselves, a space to call their own.

Learn life skills - Husky Energy Easter Seals House will offer a much-needed opportunity for children to learn life skills. In an accessible kitchen, for example, children will learn to cook for themselves and see how it is possible to live independent lives as adults. There will also be opportunities to learn from mentors, older people with disabilities, who can advise them and show them just what is possible.

Socialize - Children and youth need a place to call their own, where they can hang out and form friendships with other kids.

Benefit from new therapies - The new facility will offer sensory therapy, a treatment that has proven extremely beneficial to children with more severe disabilities.

Support parents - Having a home base with a welcoming area will also give the parents of children with disabilities a place to meet and talk with other parents while their children take part in programs.

Build community capacity - As a state-of-the-art facility, Husky Energy Easter Seals House will be used to demonstrate best practices with respect to accessibility and programming. Lessons learned will be shared with other facilities and programs throughout the province and beyond.


Our Sincere Thanks
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador is sincerely grateful to Oceanex Inc. for their leadership in raising the funds necessary to bring Husky Energy Easter Seals House from dream to reality, and to C.A. Pippy Park Commission for generously donating the parcel of land on Mount Scio Road that Easter Seals will soon call home.

    

Click here for a full list of generous Husky Energy Easter Seals House donors.