Compassion First Ltd

06/18/2026

Shaping up to be a great month already! And today was so much fun bowling!

06/15/2026

💙 Thank You, Janet! 💙

Thank you, Janet, for your powerful words to the United Nations about accessibility, inclusion, and the importance of ensuring people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities are truly heard.

Janet asked a simple but important question: "Why not?"

Why not remove barriers? Why not make information available in plain language? Why not provide videos, support persons, and the accommodations people need to participate fully? Why not ensure people with Down Syndrome and intellectual disabilities are included at decision-making tables where policies and programs that affect their lives are discussed?

Real inclusion means more than being invited to participate—it means moving from participation to representation, where people are supported to share their views, influence decisions, and have their voices respected.

Thank you, Janet, for reminding us that accessibility is about ensuring everyone belongs, everyone is heard, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute.



Down Syndrome International

“Imagine if this building had no ramp. There would be outrage. But right now, most of what is happening here is not accessible to me. And somehow, that does not cause outrage."

These were the words of Janet Charchuk — a DSi Board member who has Down syndrome — speaking at the United Nations in New York.

Janet was at the UN Conference of States Parties to the CRPD, talking about what it really means for people with Down syndrome to have a voice in public life — not just be invited into the room, but actually be heard.

She named something many of our families will recognise: that people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities are still too often talked about, rather than listened to. As Janet put it: "That is not participation. That is decoration."

Janet called for three things from governments around the world:
✅ End laws that take away the right to vote because of disability
✅ Make easy-to-understand information standard — in elections, in laws, in everyday public life
✅ Genuinely include people with intellectual disabilities when decisions are made — with accessible materials, time, and real listening

If a country would never accept a building with no ramp, it should never accept a democracy that shuts people out.

We are so proud of Janet for standing up and speaking out on behalf of our whole global community. 💙

▶️ Watch her full speech here: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k12/k12x9s6byj?kalturaSeekFrom=8072&kalturaClipTo=8623&kalturaStartTime=0

06/10/2026

Here is a sneak peek at a few of our friends hard at work ! The team work is amazing!

These aren’t just pet treats… they’re made with hard work, creativity, and purpose! 💛
This week, our West Prince Friends were busy during Employment Day—mixing, measuring, and preparing for the official launch of West First Pet Treats. Every treat reflects teamwork, determination, and pride!

🐶🐱 Launch Day: June 28
📍 Where: West Prince Market

Can’t make it to the market?
No problem! You can place an order, and we’ll gladly get your treats to you.
📦 Weekly Pickup Locations Across PEI!
To make it even easier, we’ll set up a weekly pickup spot for everyone’s convenience—perfect if you can’t get to the West Prince Centre or live elsewhere on the Island.
Every treat supports meaningful employment, skill development, confidence, and inclusion. Behind every bite is a story of growth, teamwork, and possibility.
💛 Support your furry friends and support something bigger—helping our Friends shine, learn and succeed!

06/09/2026

Did you know?
There's another amazing day program in the Charlottetown/Crapaud area called Stronger Together that's worth checking out for you or your loved one.
We believe it's important for families to know their options because no two programs are exactly the same. Every organization has its own unique environment, activities, and approach to support.
While our programs may be different, we all share the same goal: supporting individuals to thrive, build connections, build confidence, and be active members of their communities.
Having choices is a good thing, and we encourage families to explore what is available to find the best fit for their loved one.
Check out Stronger Together on Facebook and connect with Melanie Cousins to learn more about their program and the opportunities they offer.
Because when organizations support one another, communities grow stronger. And when individuals are given choices, opportunities, and meaningful connections, we are all stronger together. ❤️
Different programs. Shared purpose. Stronger together.

06/09/2026

Reminder it’s outing day tomorrow West Prince! Tignish shore here we come!

06/07/2026

🐾 SOFT LAUNCH: Introducing West First Pet Treats – Treats With a Purpose 🐾 Long but worth a read! No need for treats? A simple share for this means the world !

We're not quite ready to hit the ground running yet, but we're too excited not to share what our West Prince center Friends have been working so hard on! Several weeks ago, during one of our Employment Days at Compassion First Care Services, we asked a simple question:

"What can WE do?" 😊

The answer came from all our friends in the room!

They wanted to create dog and cat treats.

The reason was simple.

They love animals.😻🐶

Their own pets, family pets, and community animals all hold a special place in their hearts. Creating something that would bring joy to the animals they love felt like the perfect place to start.What started as a simple idea quickly became one of the most meaningful employment projects we've had the privilege of watching grow.

Over the past several weeks, participants have researched recipes and ingredients, designed logos, discussed branding and packaging, created sample batches, gathered feedback, and continued refining their product every step of the way.

This wasn't rushed by any means!

It wasn't handed to them.

It was built through hard work, teamwork, creativity, determination, and pride.

And they're still not finished.

They're currently waiting for the bags and labels featuring the logos they designed themselves because they want every detail to be just right before sharing their product with the community.

That level of dedication says everything.

Throughout this journey, everyone found a role.

Some participants enjoyed researching and planning. Some loved designing. Some enjoyed making the treats. Others focused on packaging, organization, quality control, and sharing ideas.

Just like any successful workplace, every person brought their own strengths to the team.

Because true inclusion isn't about everyone doing the same thing.

It's about recognizing that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Too often the world focuses on what people can't do instead of focusing on what they can do.

At Compassion First Care Services, we choose to focus on strengths, abilities, and possibilities.

This project has never been just animals treats

It's about learning employment skills.

It's about teamwork.

It's about responsibility.

It's about confidence.

It's about problem-solving.

It's about belonging.

It's about creating meaningful opportunities where everyone has the chance to contribute, grow, and succeed.

It's also about learning valuable life skills.

Through our weekly Employment Days, participants are developing skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, responsibility, organization, and taking pride in their work.

These are skills that extend far beyond making pet treats and help build confidence, independence, and meaningful opportunities for the future.

While this project was created and developed by participants at our **West Prince location**, we are excited that once everything is ready, West First Pet Treats will be available island-wide, allowing communities across Prince Edward Island to support this incredible initiative.

And when they are, you'll be supporting much more than happy dogs and cats.

You'll be supporting inclusion, opportunity, skill development, confidence, and meaningful employment.

The proceeds from West First Pet Treats will go directly back to the participants who helped create them, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of their hard work, save for something special, participate in activities they enjoy, or simply treat themselves to an ice cream on a sunny day.

Because that's what meaningful employment is all about—creating opportunities, building confidence, and celebrating the value of every contribution.

Behind every bag is a story of hard work, growth, purpose, and possibility.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff who continue to believe in our mission and in the people we support every single day. Thank you for encouraging ideas, supporting dreams, celebrating strengths, and helping turn possibilities into realities.

Most importantly, thank you for believing what we believe:
Side note- Even beach goats thought they were tasty!🐐🤪

Everyone deserves a purpose.
Everyone deserves an opportunity.
Everyone deserves the chance to shine.

West First Pet Treats
Made with Compassion. Treats with a Purpose.

06/03/2026

What an incredible day at the 2nd Annual Community Access & Inclusion Expo in Summerside! 🎉

We were honoured to be invited by ResourceAbilities to participate in this amazing event and showcase our company alongside so many dedicated organizations committed to supporting Islanders.

The energy throughout the day was inspiring, and it was wonderful to connect with community members, service providers, advocates, and fellow organizations who are all working toward a more accessible and inclusive PEI. We especially enjoyed learning more about the exciting launch of ConnectABILITY PEI and the many resources available across the province.

A heartfelt thank you to Resourceabilities for the invitation and for organizing such a well-run, welcoming, and impactful event. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of it and look forward to supporting future initiatives that strengthen our communities.

Together, we are building a more connected, accessible, and inclusive PEI. ❤️🤝

06/02/2026

Thanks Career Bridges for the opportunity! She’s been a joy to have!

Grace is doing her placement at Compassion First and is loving every minute of it. Grace’s plan is to become a youth worker and this amazing opportunity has shown her that she’s heading in the right direction.
Thanks to Dan, staff, and clients of Compassion First for welcoming Grace with open arms.

06/02/2026

Last week lots of fun was had up west! Exciting project the center friends are working on up west that we will revel when they’re ready!