Integra announces new name: Valoris

After being informed it would have to change its name due to legal a legal conflict, Integra for Children and Adults of Prescott-Russell officially announced its new name at a press conference held Tuesday, May 17 in Plantagenet.

From now on, the agency will be known as Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott-Russell.

"I apologize if this turn of events has lead to some confusion," said Raymond Lemay, director general of the agency. "It is important to remember that the day-to-day work with vulnerable persons in Prescott-Russell remains our main concern, and that our services have in no way changed. We understand the reaction in the community, and will continue our efforts to ease the transition."

As for the name chosen, the agency stated that as the name Integra represented values of social integration, the name Valoris should bring to mind social role valorization. These two concepts are linked, as the clients of the organization are at risk of exclusion in large part due to being devalued by society.

"Our mission has not changed, our goal remains to be of service to vulnerable persons in Prescott-Russell by supporting them in their families and by facilitating their integration in the community," added Jean Dugas, president of the board of directors.

According to Lemay, the agency had received information from its lawyers that there is another social services organization already using the name Integra.

"We did follow the necessary rules and regulations to change our name," Lemay said in April. "However, our lawyers at the time did not identify that there was another social services organization already using the name. We tried to negotiate with this other agency to keep the name, but were unsuccessful."

Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott-Russell is a multi-service agency for children, adolescents, adults and their families living throughout the United Counties of Prescott-Russell.

It offers a single access point to a wide variety of services and programs, including psychosocial interventions, parent groups and mutual support groups, alternative living environments, community integration activities, child protection services and more. The service centers are located in Plantagenet, Clarence-Rockland, Hawkesbury and Casselman.