by Rhonda Massad
Levy: “Everyone is always smiling and happy to participate, the members look forward to this all year long.”
A full house, for the eighth year in a row, enjoyed West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (WIAIH) fashion and variety show last Saturday, May 2, hosted by West Island College (WIC).
Seventy two WIC students joined forces with 50 WIAIH members to produce a memorable mix of fashion and talent on stage that kept the audience entertained both at the noon and 4 p.m. showings.
According to all five of the WIC student producers, Emily Aronoff, Jasmine DeVito, Gaby Levy, Maya Levy and Rianna Melnik the experience is a life changer. 
“Seeing the WIAIH members smile makes all the hard work worth it,” Maya told The Suburban in an interview, “I have made so many long lasting relationships. When rehearsals start each year everyone remembers each other and are so happy to be together again.”
“I would love to work with special needs kids when I finish school, the show has sparked a passion in me.”
According to Levy’s mom Rina, this is Maya’s calling.
“Maya gets such joy making the participants happy.” Rina said, “The producers, the participants and the school take such pride in putting on this important event. I hope Maya pursues this career path because she can make people happy while making herself happy.”
Funds from selling roses, T shirts and snacks all went to WIAIH along with several other fundraisers the students took on recently. According to WIC’s Director of student services Emilie Simard this event was entirely produced by the students.
WIAIH, established in 1958, is one of the largest community organizations in the greater Montreal area, offering a broad range of services to over 500 members. Some of which include a variety of recreation activities, a residence for adults living with intellectual handicaps, support groups for parents and the Pat Roberts Developmental Center, a preschool for children who have developmental issues.
