French-language Community Home for Persons with Disabilities in Isle Madame

Isle Madame, Richmond Co., will have a new four-bed community option home for Acadian and francophone Nova Scotians with disabilities.

Government is investing up to $600,000 annually to renovate and operate the former Hearts of Isle Madame convent, owned by the Hearts of Isle Madame Disability Society.

“Acadian and francophone Nova Scotians with disabilities and their families want to be supported in their first language in the communities where they are from,” said Acadian Affairs Minister Michel Samson on behalf of Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard. “Taking advantage of the former Hearts of Isle Madame building and by adding a small options home, four members of the community can live more independently with access to excellent supports.”

The project includes the construction of a new four-bed community home next to the former convent. It also includes the renovation of the convent for up to three respite beds for temporary stays by persons with disabilities, along with the potential capacity for day activities for individuals in the community. The first floor will be fully accessible with ramps.

“These funds will enable us to help individuals with disabilities to grow to their fullest potential, while remaining in their community, surrounded by the support of their family and community as a whole,” said Barbara MacNeil, Hearts of Isle Madame Disability Society. “Additionally, the respite funding allows us to provide an essential service to local families, providing them with a safe environment to temporarily leave their loved ones, should the occasion arise.”

The Department of Community Services is committed to providing Nova Scotians with disabilities with safe places to live and work within the communities that they call home. The Hearts of Isle Madame project is in the early planning stages. It is part of a $2.1 million investment in this year’s budget for the Disability Support Program to design, develop and open four new small options homes over the next year.