Harrowsmith community supports New Leaf Link program

Nov 05, 2009

Mural completed by Nicolas, Stefan, Amy and Joel, participants in the New Leaf Link's equestrian/arts program. Photo courtesy Dr. Karin Steiner

Dr. Karin Steiner, executive director of New Leak Link (NeLL), a not-for-profit, charitable educational program dedicated to the community inclusion of adults with developmental disabilities, who are ages 18-65 and living in South Frontenac Township, was thrilled to receive a donation by the Harrowsmith Oddfellows and Rebekahs.

Noble Grands Frances Young of the Princess Elizabeth Lodge 358 and Wayne Gard of the Athena Lodge 306 presented a $600 cheque to Dr. Steiner on Nov.2 at the Golden Links Hall in Harrowsmith.

The funds will assist the NeLL program, which began in the spring and focuses on linking participants with opportunities to learn, live and work in South Frontenac Township.

Steiner, who has a 23-year-old son with autism, initiated the program understanding first-hand the lack of opportunities available in South Frontenac to adults with developmental disabilities once they leave high school.

“Our reason for being is to try to advance these young people into adulthood because once they leave school there is nothing for them to do.”

The program is currently running from Sydenham and it began with an equestrian/arts program at the Honey Suckle Ridge Stables in Glenburnie, which ran from April to June, and September to October, and is slated to start again in the spring.

In September NeLL’s Food for all Seasons program began, which teaches participants the link between exercise, nutrition and health. In January their arts and crafts program will begin.

The Oddfellows and Rebekahs of Harrowsmith have a long history of supporting various projects in their local community, including school programs, festivals and the community arena to name a few.

Gard explained, “Though a lot of the ongoing programs we support are provincial and national, we’re are always looking for new ways to give back locally to our own community.”

Karin thanked Young and Gard for their donation and stated, “ Slowly we are building up the program and we are extremely pleased with the local support that we have been receiving.”

For more information, contact Dr. Karin Steiner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 613-374-3451