Wikipedia
LiveWorkPlay is a Canadian charitable organization for people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in Ottawa in 1995 by the husband and wife team of Keenan Wellar and Julie Kingstone, LiveWorkPlay was originally known as the Keen Learning Centre for Youth, then operated as the Special Needs Network from 1996-2001.
Soon after its founding as a resource centre, the organization evolved and began offering supports and services related to housing, employment, and community participation. In 2001 the name was changed to LiveWorkPlay to focus on the organization's goal of promoting full participation and decision-making with regard to living situations, work, and play. In 2011 the organization adopted a revised vision, values, and mission: "Helping the community welcome people with intellectual disabilities to live, work, and play as valued citizens."
In an effort to better share best practices and connect with organizations across the province LiveWorkPlay joined Community Living Ontario as an affiliate in 2008. LiveWorkPlay was the lead Ottawa area organization in marking the historical closure of Ontario's mass institutions for people with intellectual disabilities on March 31, 2009.
LiveWorkPlay innovations in housing, employment, and social inclusion have been the topic of numerous studies and journal articles most notably in the Journal on Developmental Disabilities. With respect to housing, the LiveWorkPlay organization does not support any form of institutional housing, advocating instead that people with intellectual disabilities own or rent homes of their own. In supporting employment for people with intellectual disabilities, LiveWorkPlay has partnered with local employers to advocate for real paid work at minimum wage or better. In developing social inclusion, LiveWorkPlay utilizes a unique "matching program" to bring together people with intellectual disabilities and other citizens to enjoy shared interests in the community.
LiveWorkPlay was one of the early adopters of social media in the non-profit sector, a strength that has been highlighted in the mainstream media and also recognized through success in social media funding competitions and awards.
On June 6, 2013, LiveWorkPlay was honored as the United Way Ottawa Community Builder of the Year for Belonging To Community.
On June 4, 2015 the organization celebrated 20 years with 350 guests. The Engines of Success event included a surprise United Way Ottawa Community Builder Award presented by Rabbi Bulks to outgoing Chair of the Board Cecelia Taylor. On July 18, 2015 the book "The Courage to Fail, the Will to Succeed: Twenty Years of the LiveWorkPlay Experience 1995-2015" was published, authored by Keenan Wellar with a foreword by Al Condeluci, PhD.