Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba and CoHabit Announce the Evolution of the CoHabit Housing Project to an Independent Charity
We have some very exciting news to share with you all today! Because of the unwavering support and leadership from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba (CPMB), and in partnership with CPMB, we are so proud to announce today that CoHabit is now an independent charitable organization, operating under the name CoHabit Inc.
CoHabit would not exist without the generosity, expertise, and support of The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba (CPMB) who was the first and remains its staunchest champion of the CoHabit vision. David, the CPMB Board of Directors, and the whole membership, have been incredible. They welcomed this big idea and supported the project in every way for the past six years. We cannot thank them enough for their generosity, their vision and their advocacy.
We have also had incredible support from donors and business advisors who believe in this project, and who have been incredibly generous with their time and money.
We cannot thank CPMB and this entire community of support enough for your unwavering commitment to this project and to the dignity and rights of people with disabilities.
Quick History
CoHabit was founded in 2019 as an initiative of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba and today has grown into an independent charity to develop integrated accessible housing solutions for adults with disabilities who require supports and services to live lives in community.
CoHabit started as a dream Margy and her family had, to ensure her son Bryce could live and be supported in a dignified and inclusive way when he moves from his family home. Bryce, a 36 year old published author and self-proclaimed extrovert was born with cerebral palsy and requires support throughout the day. Bryce, Margy, and their family weren’t satisfied with the options available for people with physical disabilities, who need support to live their everyday lives. They dreamed of an inclusive apartment block where anyone could live, including people with significant, 24/7 physical support needs.
“When Margy brought the concept forward to me and the CPMB Board, we could see the need and the potential. We have been very happy to help launch the project and test the idea under our umbrella,” said David Kron, Executive Director, Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba.
“Now that we know the idea is viable and as the project ramps up, it needs more time and resources. It makes sense for them to branch out and become independent so we can continue to focus on our members and their priorities.”
CoHabit became incorporated last spring and received its charitable status over the summer. We hired a part-time Executive Director, Jennifer Rodrigue (formerly, Project Lead) one year ago, and the small team is working out of a (generously donated) office space located in the Smart Park at the University of Manitoba. CoHabit is led by a devoted and skilled Board of Directors: Ed Lage, Chair, Shelley Betton, Vice-Chair, Audrey Gordon, Treasurer, Leanne Fenez, Secretary and Board Directors: Rose Bird, Marnie Courage, Jason MacDonald, Samantha Mitchell and Rob Pankhurst.
What we are working on:
In partnership with Réseau Compassion Network and Actionmarguerite, we are working on a demonstration project that will be located at 825 Taché Avenue. The demonstration project is a 65 suite fully accessible apartment block with 20 suites identified as deeply affordable and that include 24/7 wrap-around disability services. The goals for this demonstration project are to:
• Demonstrate the need for accessibility and that accessible design is beautiful and marketable.
• Demonstrate that support services can and should be delivered in integrated settings.
• Demonstrate that intentionally nurturing community connection will positively affect the health and wellbeing of every person that lives in that building by addressing addressing loneliness, purpose and belonging.
We still need a commitment from the Provincial Government to fund the on-site disability support services for this project. Our request has gone to government and we are waiting to hear back. We need your help to ensure that the Province understands that integrated, accessible services are needed in Manitoba and that having the choice to live in community, with appropriate supports, is a human right. We will be reaching out to you soon with a call to action to support our funding proposal.
We also continue to pursue land at Southwood Circle and are open and in discussion with potential partners on other CoHabit locations and project opportunities. Throughout the fall we will be meeting with developers to discuss both Southwood Circle and other locations.
New contact information:
Our team can be reached at the following email addresses and phone numbers:
• Margy Nelson, Founder and Director of Partnerships: margy@cohabit.ca 204-795-6434
• Jennifer Rodrigue, Executive Director: jennifer@cohabit.ca 204-803-5781
Mailing address:
CoHabit Inc
c/o 148 Redview Drive
Winnipeg, MB R2N 3C8
Last but not least:
One final, but certainly not least thank you – to every single one of you!!! Without your support, advice, encouragement, connections, donations, expertise, grit and determination we would NOT be where we are today. Although we still have a long read ahead, the dream is coming into focus and the rubber is hitting the road!! Thank you – this dream and this achievement belongs to all of us!
Jennifer, Margy and the CoHabit Board of Directors