A local charity’s disability advocacy work is making a difference in Okotoks and beyond.
The Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society (FAIM) has won the 2024 Western Wheel Readers’ Choice Award for Favourite Charitable Organization.
“It's very humbling to be recognized by the good people of Okotoks,” said executive director Gerry McCallum, who has been at the helm since 2016.
The organization supports adults with developmental disabilities by providing employment and community involvement opportunities, while working toward creating a more inclusive society.
The Okotoks branch, which supports over 70 adults with developmental disabilities, secured a new location in February this year after searching for more office space since 2022.
The new office, located at 325 Woodgate Rd., allows the charity to more effectively serve the community in Okotoks as demand continues to grow for its services.
“Even just having our sign on the front lawn has helped awareness,” said McCallum, who added that a major part of the organization’s work is disability advocacy. “People drive by and see ‘FAIM’ and they say, ‘What's that?’ and look it up.”
Outside of Okotoks, the organization has locations in High River and Strathmore, and recently began operations in Airdrie. Across the four branches, FAIM supports over 170 individuals.
“Gosh, we're growing like crazy… we're expecting big things in Airdrie as well, and the first three months have been fabulous up there,” said McCallum.
“Okotoks has always been a place where there's been a lot of interest, so out of our four branches, Okotoks would be the biggest branch,” he said.
McCallum is happy to see the organization’s work in Okotoks be recognized by the community.
“To receive an award like this tells me that the people of Okotoks know about FAIM, they understand adults with developmental disabilities,” he said.
Learn more about the organization, including upcoming events and other ways to get involved, on FAIM’s website.
