AIM RECOGNISED FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

In recognition of its outstanding achievements in assisting people with disabilities, the Association for the Physically Disabled – Greater Johannesburg (APD) has named the AIM Centre, (Advancement to Independence through Motivation) its 2005 Achiever of the Year.

Director Dave Fox says that the APD usually awards the Achiever of the Year to an individual, but it was felt that the AIM Centre, which started out as a small project of the APD and is now an autonomous body, richly deserved this award.

He says a distinguishing feature of the AIM Centre is its ability to balance the often competing needs of generating revenue and, at the same time, training and developing its members and providing a level of care for the more profoundly disabled.

“In the 2004/2005 financial year, the AIM Centre extensively refurbished and extended its premises and earned more than R200 000 in income from work undertaken on contract. A remarkable achievement!”

At the same time 12 members attended computer literacy training, nine an adult literacy programme, 12 were enrolled in Project Management Learnership and two members were trained in basic first aid.

“AIM provides a powerful cocktail of opportunity mixed with care that enables people with disabilities to build self-esteem, develop self-worth and maximize their potential for independent living.”

The AIM Centre Project began in 1986 as a Protected Workshop of the APD and was based in a residential home for people with disabilities. In 1997 sufficient funds were raised for the project to be moved to its current premises at 79 Orion Street in Kensington.

In May 2003 the Centre became an autonomous body when it successfully registered as a Non Profit Organisation (NPO) in terms of the NPO Act, 1997.

The AIM Centre accommodates almost 50 participants who are of working age with a range of disabilities, both physical and intellectual. Its management and members are drawn from the surrounding community as well as from the communities of Soweto, Alexandra and Central Johannesburg.