Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie, is pleased to announce the delivery of $81,000 toward the Centre d’éducation et de formation pour adultes (CÉFA).
The grant is delivered through the Employment and Social Development Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, and was used to make accessibility upgrades to the education centre and will give people in the community improved access to programs and events offered at CÉFA.
“The Centre d’éducation et de formation pour adultes is an important institution in our community, helping francophone adults to learn and improve their skills, and I am glad that the Government of Canada is helping them to be more inclusive thanks to support from the Enabling Accessibility Fund,” said Sheehan in a news release.
“In the Soo and across Canada, we are working with grass-roots organizations to become more accessible and improve disability inclusion, which is a benefit to everyone.”
The accessibility upgrades to CÉFA at 145 McNabb Street, include the renovation of an exterior ramp entrance, the installation of automated accessible doors and modifications to existing washroom facilities. CÉFA is a non-profit organization that provides French education and training services to adults in Sault Ste. Marie.
“Thanks to the Federal government’s grant,” said Jean-Marie Wissell, President of CÉFA, “people of all abilities will be able to access CÉFA’s library and classrooms.”
"This funding from the Federal government is very appreciated,” said Tiziana C. Principe, Executive Director of CÉFA. “This grant enabled us to carry out needed renovations to our space in what used to be part of the old city jail. We can now accommodate everyone with mobility issues, facilitating the organization of more inclusive events and activities.”
Founded in 1991, CÉFA is funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development of Ontario. As the only French adult education centre in Sault Ste. Marie, CÉFA provides one-on-one or small classroom learning, to individuals seeking literacy and workplace preparation, as well as digital skills and French language upgrading.
Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the government has supported over 7,700 projects across the country, helping thousands of Canadians gain access to programs, services, and employment opportunities in their communities.