Members of the Vera Perlin Society are reflecting on the impact the organization has made over the last seven decades in operation.
Society representatives, people who avail of their services, and government dignitaries gathered at Confederation Building yesterday to celebrate the legacy of Vera Crosbie Perlin, and the work of the society.
The event included special performances by the Perlin Players, a lip-sync group consisting of some of the society’s clients.
President Thelma Williams, who has been with the society for roughly 30 years, says 70 years is a “very big milestone.”
She says she has watched the organization grow and battle back against some of the challenges they have faced, and calls it “amazing” to see where they are today.
Velma Mueller’s son, who is now 41, was part of the society’s Employment Exploration Program.
Through that, he went to work at Tim Horton’s for 14 years up until the pandemic started.
Mueller says the program made a big difference in his life.
She says she has two other children, and to see her son going to work the same as the others was “fantastic.”
At the event, three serigraphs commissioned by the society by artist Gary Kennedy were unveiled. They are part of the “She Series” and are meant to symbolize the work of Vera Perlin.
Tickets are being sold on the works. More information, including tickets, can be found here.