Foundation Stone Ceremony

Friday 13th June 2008 was an historic day in our Parish in Baltinglass when the foundation block was carefully put in place by Myles Keogh for the new Kare Local Service Centre for People with intellectual disabilities.

Builder – Mc Keelan Construction;  Architects – Mc Loughlin Archiecture.
Our Local T.D. Mr Billy Timmons launched the Project and delivered the keynote address.
Browse some pictures of the occasion.

Voluntary Organisation

Kare is a voluntary organisation based in Counties Kildare, East Offaly and West Wicklow and provides services to people with an intellectual disability. The aim is to support individuals who attend a local service to play an active role in their own locality, through; supported employment promoting life long learning and supporting individuals to partake in leisure activities.

We in Kare/Lalor Centre see a future where people with Intellectual disabilities are seen as equals and take part in society along with everyone else. Through a person centred approach, which values dignity and respect, we, work in partnership with: People with an intellectual disability, Their family and friends, Staff and Volunteers, Community groups, Employers,, State and semi state organisations, to support the individuals with an intellectual disability to make choices which lead to full, active and meaningful lives.

Kare/Lalor Centre understands the importance of working with others to ensure the best support for those who use our service.

Developing our resources and sharing them with others is also an important part of our involvement in the local community. We do this through involvement in: Rural transport, Transition year and college work experience placements, FAS community and Local Training, Innovative (L.T.I) programmes, Best Buddies in Schools programme.

Fundraising is an important source of additional income for Kare. Monies raised through such events enable projects to be undertaken which further enhance the services provided. The funds raised through such fundraisers like the Auction every year make the New Facility a reality.

Kare worked in partnership with the parish of Baltinglass on the development of the complex which includes a universally accessible Local Service building (Lalor Centre) a parish office and meeting rooms. The people in the community of Baltinglass generously supported this project and we now have a community facility to be proud of.

In January of this year we moved into the “New” Lalor Centre building. This is a fabulous new building providing a spacious and comfortable atmosphere. It is beneficial to both services users who attend the service from the local area and the local community itself.

The new building caters for the changing needs of the services users and for those in wheelchairs it’s very accessible throughout. Its also compliments the existing building and offers more opportunities for local community groups who wish to utilise both buildings during the evenings and weekends.

As part of Kare’s strategic plan, a number of priorities were identified. One of these priorities involves the families and building partnerships. Both of these priorities have been very evident as part of this project. Without the involvement and support of families, the parish and the wider community this new building would not have been possible.

The parents and friends committee of the Lalor Centre are the back bone to its success. Not just by providing the support financially but through their pure friendship and loyalty to the people that use the Lalor Centre.

We would also like to acknowledge the employers and business in the area for their on going support, and help in making our Supported Employment Programme the success it is today.

Pauline Balfe
Local Service Leader, The Lalor Centre