In 2000, executive director Jill Dockrill, inspired by the struggles of her adopted son Tom Wilkinson, organized a small group out of her home to share knowledge on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She hatched the idea of raising funds to open a group home for individuals afflicted with FASD. Together, the group assembled and sent out over 90 packages to breweries and distilleries, asking them for donations. Of these, one $1500 donation was received. Despite this extremely disappointing return, they did not give up hope. Tom volunteered to walk to raise money. Tom, together with his mother and his Aunt Pat hatched the idea of the Tom’s Walk fundraiser.
June 2004 saw FASTEC Inc. move to our current location in Quinte’s Community Resource Centre, expanding to include the new Sandy Parsons Resource Centre (named in memory of Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Ernie Parsons’ son who passed away due to effects of fetal alcohol syndrome). We were able to fund renovations to our new location through the generous help of Ontario’s Trillium Foundation. Our renovations were completed in the summer of 2005; we held our Grand Opening on FASDay (September 9), 2005.
The move to a larger facility reflects the fact that we have come a long way since our beginning. We are constantly growing to meet the needs of those in the community whose lives are affected by FASD. As we expand, we are able to offer more resources, support and services; also, we progress towards our goal of opening the first home in Canada for those with FASD.
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