JANUARY— APRIL 2008 CHINESE • ENGLISH • HINDI • TAMIL • PUNJABI • URDU
COMMUNITY LIVING YORK SOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPANT HORSES AROUND
WHAT’S HAPPENING
My name is Brock Bontje and I work at the Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (CARD). I have been riding at CARD since 2000 and volunteering at CARD since 2005. I have been doing my work experience from Markville Secondary School since September 2007. My responsibilities are: mucking stalls, washing water bowls and feed tubs, helping with feedings and sometimes preparing feeds, laundry, moving horses around, sometimes helping in the program if needed (sidewalking or leading). Also any other jobs I am asked to do. I like it there because I get to be with horses and I have a good time with the horses, staff and volunteers. I like helping people learn to ride and helping other people with disabilities. Before I began working at CARD, I was going to Community Living York South's March Break and summer camps. Sometimes I went in the winter as well. I had a lot of fun at camps. I made new friends, saw some old friends from school. We went on some great trips. I learned how to cook, take the bus. I taught my counselors how to use the Viva bus system. Going to camp is great and everybody should try it!
SEE POP.YORKREGION.COM OR YORKTOURISM.COM FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF YORK REGION EVENTS. MAY f On-going Community Coping Skills Workshops designed to help you take control of your life. 10155 Yonge St. Tuesdays, 4—6PM Register w/ Dee 905-884-9110 VM 604 f First Week of May Richmond Hill Youth Week 2 “Richmond Hill’s Got Talent” talent showcase 7—10PM; $5 registration fee 3 3-on3 Basketball Tournament; 10AM—4PM; $20/team Info on activities and age eligibility, auditions, registration deadlines, prizes, etc.: 905-882-4295 X 3154 or youth@richmondhill.ca f April 24—May 25 Vaughan’s 2nd annual juried art exhibition featuring works by selected Vaughan and GTA artists 1000 New Westminster Drive Mon, Wed, Fri 12—7PM; Sat & Sun 12— 5PM (closed May 18 & 19) Info: 905-832-8585 X. 3127 or 7312 3 Vaughan Youth Pursuit 1st annual 10KM race for prizes. Start @ 50 Ansley Grove Rd 10AM—3PM; $20 team registration (April 25 deadline)
For more information about Community Association for the Disabled visit www.card.ca.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ... Providing information and resources for individuals with an intellectual disability and their families
Supporting people with an intellectual disability to live, learn, work and participate in the community.
SENECA STUDENT FUNDRAISES FOR COMMUNITY LIVING YORK SOUTH BY NISHA DAMANI
ON OCTOBER 15, 2007, I hosted and organized a fundraising event which was held at my school, Seneca College’s King Campus. The funds raised were directed to facilitating programming for individuals with a mild intellectual disability (MID) who are currently being supported through Community Living York South. Falun Dafa, an organization which uses a high-level cultivation practice to promote a holistic lifestyle, came out and engaged the audience with several outstanding performances and demonstrations. The event also included a belly dance demonstration by one of my
friends, a henna artist and delicious foods from many cultures. My goal was to promote multiculturalism, raise awareness about Community Living York South and its programs as well as bring inclusive awareness to Seneca students and the community. By organizing this event, I learned about all the “big” and “small” aspects are a part of event planning in addition to how team work, cooperation and support is essential in the success of any event or initiative. I would like to thank all the contributors, my group members, performers, and most importantly, Ritu Bhasin and Brenda Crouse from the Community Living York South Development team who helped me facilitate this event successful for all those involved.
Chinese New Year Chinese New Year is the most important traditional holiday celebrated by the Chinese worldwide. It is the
The Year of the Rat
FEBRUARY 7,2008 – JANUARY 25 2009
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first day of the Lunar calendar, so it is called the Lunar New Year. It is also referred to as the Spring Festival, since it is the beginning of the Spring term. Each year is named for an animal and 2008 is the Year of the Rat.
CANCELLED due to low registration
FUNDING FOR FAMILIES QUOTE FROM LOGATHASAN SUBRAMANIAM
“Thank you for the all the support and
help from Tamil Community Support Co-ordinator. My family was happy to receive the Flex fund for my son Satsarupan Logathasan. My son is 28 years old and never stayed out without us and this is the first time he is going to stay out over the weekend at the Weekend Respite Program. I hope, he will gain more confidence, develop language skills, and learn more life skills and, most of all, make friends through this program. Our family is very excited for our son and we are looking forward to Weekend Respite.”
THE VISION NEWSLETTER
WEEKEND RESPITE
WHAT’S HAPPENING
“I am enjoying myself so much, don’t pick me up. I want to stay here!” This statement comes from Fazal-ul-Haq, an individual who has never been away from his family for a weekend before. Many participants are having an amazing time at the weekend respite program. that are right for our kids,” says one parent supporting someone diagnosed with a mild BY CHERI EVANS intellectual disability, “He would like that program (weekend respite) because he wants BEGINNING LAST YEAR Community Living to live on his own. He could see what it is York South began its new and improved like.” weekend respite program. Since then over Heather said that weekend respite would 45 people have spent the weekend, enjoying be perfect for her daughter as she could get all that the weekend offers. “I hope she away from the cliques at school, Facebook wants come to home!”, said one of the and MSN and do something fun and “normal” parents who got a weekend of relaxation for the weekend. Heather feels it would help while her daughter spent the weekend at the with her daughter’s social skills and life skills apartment. and, overall, sounds like a great program. “I think the program is great. They go Andrea had this to say about her with a friend or someone the staff think they weekend: “I had a lot of fun! I brought would like and then the kids come up with movies and we stayed up late. The staff what they want to do for the weekend. They helped us make breakfast.” Andrea’s friend do some cooking, they clean the apartment Lori who she went with said, “I went to a and they get to see what living on their own dance and danced a lot. We stayed up really would be like. It’s great. When my daughter late and had fun. It was good!” went they went to the beach and had a picnic A senior parent supported by York (one of the days), she had a great time!” says South said, “We could really use the break. Barb whose daughter has come to the new We love having [our daughter] at home, but weekend respite program. After hearing this, we need a break from helping her all the 3 other parents signed up for Family time. She needs a break from us too. ” Memberships to Community Living York If would like to book a weekend for your son South in order to benefit from the $50 or daughter, please call one of Community discount you receive on a weekend Living’s Community Support 1-877-737registration. 3475. Weekends book quickly so call now! “There are not a lot of respite programs
WHAT’S NEW WITH WEEKEND RESPITE
For more info: 905-832-8500 4th Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Christian prayer celebration. 9019 Leslie St 7AM; $25 (includes breakfast) For more info: 1-877-700-3130 8 Queen Victoria’s Cream Tea Signature dessert teas enjoyed at the Gardenview Room. 19 Church St, N 1PM and 2:30PM; $6/person RSVP: 905-780-3802 16-17 Family Camp-in Bring your tent and camp out while the town provides the activities— campfire songs, ghost stories, sports and more! 9350 Hwy 48 4PM Fri—12:00PM Sat; $10/child, $15/adult or $40/family of 4 Info: 905-294-4576 23 Diverse-A-Thon Dance Marathon Dance your way to inclusion with Community Living York South! 7755 Bayview Ave 6:30—10:30PM; $10/person Info: 1-877-737-3475 ysacl.on.ca/diverseathon 31 Family Star-Gazing Night Come as a family to see the night sky through hi-powered telescopes 9350 Hwy 48 7—10PM; $4/children 12-; $6/adult; $5/senior or teen; $15/family of 4. Info: 905-294-4576 6
JUNE 4 Fast Forward Through a Child’s Eyes Exhibit Influences shape childrens lives 14732 Woodbine Ave 10AM—5PM Info: 905-727-8954 or townofws.com/museum
Weekend Respite Program A unique community based Respite Program not available anywhere else in York Region! Activities customized to your son or daughter’s individual interests. BOOKING right now to September 30, 2008* Weekends: Friday 6 p.m. to Sunday 5 p.m. (excluding long weekends) LOCATED IN THE HEART OF RICHMOND HILL
Eligibility:
• •
18+ years of age
•
The ability to perform daily living activities with minimal support (i.e. hygiene, dressing, etc.)
The ability to participate safely in apartment and community settings
YOUR CHANCE TO GET AWAY AND TRULY RELAX, WHILE YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER ENJOYS QUALITY SUPPORTS!
A Stroke Of Art Inc. instills creative confidence in children and youth through a unique learning experience offered in a progressive environment. The studio advocates the important role that visual art has in the development and individual growth of children and youth. www.astrokeofart.ca 905.264.8992
Space is limited so book now! 1-877-737-3475
JANUARY—APRIL, 2008
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of a vibrant parade, global fashion show, and delicious food fairs. Ritu Bhasin, Community Support Coordinator for YORK UNIVERSITY CELECommunity Living York South, BRATED MULTICULTURAL WEEK attended with placement stufrom February 4—7 2008. dent, Nisha Damani, to build The week-long event celeawareness about our services, brated various cultures and respite programs and mediatheir respective contributions tion work: “At every corner to Canadian society. This was you experienced a different an opportunity to embrace cultural dynamic.” our nation’s diversity and “Get In July 2007 York UniverCultured.” Many of the unisity reached out to the South versity’s student groups, as Asian community by hosting a well as their alumni associa5-day conference called tion, participated and shared ‘Shades of Brown’—the univertheir unique cultural persity’s first symposium for sepctive. The event consisted South Asian teachers.
GETTING CULTURED AT YORK UNIVERSITY
Approximately 400 organizations were represented at the event—14 of which were asked to make presentations to the group, including Community Living York South. Coordinators Ritu Bhasin and Kula Kulasegaram had the honour of speaking about our agency’s initiatives to support people with an intellectual disability in their right to live a fully inclusive life—to love, to go to school, to work, to play and to live in our community. The conference was a huge success with over 300 people in attendance from the community, school board and agencies.
SUMMER CAMP ‘08 MARKHAM • RICHMOND HILL • VAUGHAN
9:30AM – 3:30PM DAILY JULY 7-11 JULY 14-18 JULY 21-25 JULY 28-AUGUST 1 AUGUST 5-8 AUGUST 11-15 AUGUST 18-22 AUGUST 25-29 BOOKING & INFO:
1-877-737-3475 MEMBERS $175.00/WEEK* NON-MEMBERS $192.50/WEEK* * Please speak to your coordinator if in need of one-to-one support; additional fee applies.
“
Our children who are non-verbal and have autism participated in the Saturday Kids Club in Fall 2007. The program provided exciting art projects and instruction in a number of mediums that would spark creative expression in anyone. A relaxing environment and excellent support staff made the experience wholly enjoyable and I recommend it highly. —ROSE RUSSO, Parent
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Submit your 300 to 500-word article or story to
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COMMUNITY LIVING YORK SOUTH 2008 DANCES 101 Edward Ave., Richmond Hill 7:00–10:30PM $3.00 Admission (includes coffee and cookies) • Pop is $0.25
Fridays
Vaughan Markham and Richmond Hill Saturdays Vaughan Markham and Richmond Hill
7-9PM 6-9PM 2-4PM 1-4PM
For booking and information on programs in: Markham: Anita Leung 905-889-5239 Ext. 267 Richmond Hill: Cheri Evans 905-884-9110 Ext. 640 Vaughan: Ritu Bhasin 905-771-0011 Ext. 523 EDITORIAL STAFF f HEAD OFFICE: 101 EDWARD AVENUE, RICHMOND HILL MARKHAM OFFICE: 144 MAIN STREET #5-6 RICHMOND HILL OFFICE: 10155 YONGE STREET VAUGHAN OFFICE: 136 WINGES ROAD #6
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FEBRUARY 9 MARCH 15 MAY 24 JUNE 28 SEPTEMBER 20 OCTOBER 25 DECEMBER 13
Valentines Dance St. Patrick's Day Dance for Special Olympics Elizabeth's 50th Birthday Party! Summer Dance Blue Jay's Dance Halloween Dance Christmas Dance
Anita Leung Community Support Coordinator aleung@ysacl.on.ca
Kula Kulasegaram Community Support Coordinator kkulasegaram@ysacl.on.ca
Anna Baldussi-Lato Senior Outreach Coordinator alato@ysacl.on.ca
Ritu Bhasin Community Support Coordinator rbhasin@ysacl.on.ca
Cheri Evans Community Support Coordinator cevans@ysacl.on.ca
Sarita Wiggan Community Support Coordinator sarita@ysacl.on.ca THE VISION NEWSLETTER