Community Living BC has extended a supported work program at the Ridge Meadows recycling depot for two more years.

On Thursday, CLBC announced the extension with Ridge Meadows Recycling Society to continue the supported work program that employs 25 people in Maple Ridge.

"We are pleased that Community Living BC has made this longerterm commitment to this important program," said Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin.

"This program is essential for the 25 folks who work as part of the program and the support workers who work closely with them. These people deal with a wide variety of challenges in their lives, and this job allows them the opportunity to do meaningful work, interact with the others in our community and have a stable, welcoming work environment. I know that there has been a huge shift in the attitude toward this program in the last year and I want to thank Community Living BC, on behalf of the community, for providing a longer term commitment to the program."

Daykin also thanked MLAs Marc Dalton and Michael Sather who "worked passionately with us to advocate for this program."

Community Living BC announced in September 2011 that they weren't continuing the program after several decades. But after the families of the developmentally delayed workers, mayor and council, and others protested the ending of the program, it was reinstated.

"The supportive work program is an important part of the way that Ridge Meadows Recycling Society operates," said the society's executive director Kim Day. "This spring we celebrated our 40th anniversary as an organization. The supported work program has been in place for almost 20 years and has become part of the fabric of how we do business in the community."

The program provides employment for 25 people with developmental disabilities and three support workers who work with the staff and families. The funding announcement will also allow the program to look at new referrals.