- Date:
- Thursday, June 27, 12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
- Place:
- Outside Esther Irwin Home
2750 East 18th Avenue - Speakers:
- CUPE BC President Barry ONeill
Esther Irwin staff members
Community supporters
VANCOUVER - Workers, clients parents and community supporters of the Childrens Foundation will hold a rally tomorrow, June 27, from 12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. to protest the closure of the Esther Irwin Homes last residential treatment facility on Friday.
Esther Irwin Home offers a highly specialized treatment program for children with fetal alcohol syndrome, psychiatric disorders and serious emotional problems. It also provides family counselling, and on-site classrooms to children 6 12 years old.
Employees of The Childrens Foundation, members of CUPE, are angry the government has eliminated funding to the home, which is often the last hope for many high profile children and their families.
The home, operated by The Childrens Foundation, consists of two long-term residential facilities on Vancouvers east side. One facility closed at the end of May; the other closes on Friday. The home had a six-month waiting list before the provincial government pulled its funding.
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Contact:
Beth Smillie, CUPE Communications
604-291-1940, ext. 223