Arborg’s Riverdale Place Workshop invited the community to help it celebrate 50 years of caring for and providing employment to local and area adults with intellectual challenges.
The workshop’s celebration last Friday included speeches from dignitaries, recognition of the dedicated staff who provide care to participants and a tour of the workshop. There was also food, live music and opportunities to chat with participants. One of the participants, Marilyn, has been part of the workshop for 48 of its 50 years. Some participants took to the dance floor with staff for an upbeat rendition of the song, Stand By Me.
Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson attended the celebration and presented workshop manager Alex Janower with a plaque, congratulating the not-for-profit organization for its support and employment of adults with intellectual challenges, as well as recognizing the workshop’s role in environmental stewardship through its recycling operation.
Janower has been with the workshop for 38 years and refers to it as a second family for him.
Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman MP James Bezan also attended the event and presented Janower and the workshop with a plaque for its 50 years of outstanding community service.
The workshop, which opened in May 1975, provides social services and paid employment opportunities to adults with disabilities in Arborg, Bifrost-Riverton and surrounding communities such as Fisher Branch and Poplarfield. In addition to learning skills and socializing with others, participants can take part in music, dancing, craft-making and other activities. Its recycling program serves the Town of Arborg and the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton and helps keep the local landfill free of recyclable waste. In 2023, the workshop diverted over 235,000 kilograms of recyclables from the landfill.
The workshop saw its participant numbers decline with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participant attendance is funded by the provincial government, which earlier this year intended to stop funding the workshop but reversed course after a groundswell of opposition.
Johnson said he had nearly 120,000 hits on his Facebook page after he and his office embarked on a letter-writing campaign to encourage the province to continue its funding support for adults with intellectual challenges.
“Sadly, this NDP government is only renewing funding on a year-to-year basis,” Johnson said a day after the 50th celebration. “Historically, they’d get multi-year contracts, ensuring budget support.”
The workshop itself has embarked on fundraisers to enhance participants’ experience. In 2018, it raised money to purchase a van to take participants on outings in the community. And the family members of some clients have generously donated funds to buy items such as furniture.
The workshop is encouraging people with loved ones with intellectual challenges to contact the facility for a tour and learn about the various activities, employment opportunities and social outings the workshop offers, as well as take time to meet the staff.
For more information about Riverdale Place Workshop and its programs, call (204) 376-5584.
