Mission

At The Living Link we promise to continuously develop and enhance the potential of intellectually impaired adults,Our aim is to nurture the opportunity for full integration and equal participation in mainstream society so improving the quality of their lives,We strive to facilitate growth and change by empowering our members, their support network and the community thus creating an environment of understanding, acceptance and possibility.

Category

Education and Skills

Additional Information

The Living Link is a training centre that focuses on the integration and up-skilling of intellectually impaired young adults into the mainstream of our society. Our mission is to challenge the stereotypes and stigma that surround these individuals within their own communities and society at large. Our training centre and Adult Integration Programme provides our members with the tools and skills they need in order to successfully enter into the mainstream work place. Second phase membership for these individuals then involves the sourcing and creation of employment that is both gainful to the impaired individual and value-adding to the organisation they are employed by. PROJECTS At The Living Link we are continuously looking to grow and enhance the business of helping people with intellectual impairments. There are a number of projects that we are looking to grow and also start from scratch. By getting involved in these, possibilities and opportunity will become a reality for many intellectually impaired adults that previously have not had the benefits of operating in the main stream of our society.  Sponsorship is needed for the following projects:  1.       Sponsor-a-Student initiative – Outreach training project Many of our potential students are from disadvantaged backgrounds with single, unemployed or no parents at all. Many are referred by NGO’s who are also unable to pay fees. This means that a lot of people living with intellectual impairments are unable to access basic opportunities for a better quality of life. The Living Link provides life skills training to adults with intellectual disabilities with the view of placing them into open labour market employment in line with Employment Equity requirements and assisting them to eventually live independently within the community. Traditionally they have been placed into sheltered residential facilities excluding them from opportunities within the greater social community and creating a financial drain on the economy. With funding for this project we will be in a position to offer our program to previously disadvantaged youngsters with intellectual impairments, who would normally not be able to afford such a program. Sponsor a student, break the barriers to inclusion, and make a difference!  Sustainability After the successful completion of the Adult Integration Program, adults will be better equipped to obtain and maintain open labour market employment in line with the Employment Equity Act. They will have a greater chance and opportunity of contributing to our society and adding value to our community  Sponsor a student:  Budget / Cost per impact: The cost for 1 student to be trained is R3 500.00/month = R42 000.00 for the year’s course (2012 rates).  The cost of two students sponsored for an annual period would amount to: R84 000  The Living Link aims to secure funding for 24 students in a year = R1 008 000.00 The Future: We are planning to double our intake in 2012