Muneeba Centre opens in Mississauga
The Muneeba Centre, a facility that will offer support programs and respite services for people with disabilities, was officially opened on Saturday in Mississauga.
The Centre, located at 1486 Southdown Road in Mississauga, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house to mark the occasion.
In attendance were community leaders and members as well as political representatives, including Ontario’s Finance Minister Charles Sousa, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Mississauga-Lakeshore MP Svend Spengemann.
“My sister graduated from the T. L. Kennedy School Program last June. My family and I are relieved that the Muneeba Centre is now opening and will be operating a day program that she can attend,” says Omar Mansour, DEEN Support Services Board Member.
The Centre is operated by DEEN Support Services which is a registered charity.
After running a successful Sunday Activity Night Program for over 4 years supporting a number of young people, DEEN Support Services now has its first home in the GTA and will expand to provide a number of programs identified by individuals with disabilities, their families and advocates.
“Many adults with developmental disabilities find themselves with nowhere to go and nothing to do after finishing school,” states DEEN Support Services founder, Rabia Khedr. “They face a significant impact on their life and their caregivers’ quality of life.”
“DEEN, which stands for Disability Empowerment Equality Network, will fill a gap in the lives of many,” adds Khedr. “We intend to provide individuals and their caregivers a flexible and affordable program that responds to their diverse cultural and spiritual needs and life skills goals.”
“The DEEN Day Program will operate extended hours supporting caregivers in a way that no program does at present. It will give caregivers the support they need to pursue training, education and jobs.”
DEEN is uniquely operated by a diverse group of individuals with disabilities, family members and allies.
The organization’s commitment to inclusion states that, “We believe that we as all human beings are unique and perfect as created. Our ability and disability experiences are a natural aspect of life. We have the right to make choices and take risks. We have the right to practice and experience our cultural and faith traditions. We have the right to be valued, respected and included in society and in our communities.”
