The Star Online - Spring 2009
Events & News | Information & Resources | Stories | Opinion
Events & News
DDA at GM Place!
Star Employees at Starbucks
Invitation: Leisure Fair 2009
You Asked, We Delivered
It's Mom's Time to Relax
Open House Thanks
DDA at GM Place!
By Jason Smith
Saturday March 7th 2009, a cold sunny day in Vancouver, and a perfect day for a hockey game, but not just any hockey game, a Hockey Night in Canada game featuring the Canucks versus the division leading San Jose Sharks! Amongst all the excitement of this game, the Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA)was kindly invited by GM Place and the Vancouver Canucks to host the Canucks Community Corner at section 111. Six DDA employees volunteered to set up a table at the Community Corner giving away brochures, donation bags, and fridge magnets while showcasing DDA’s newest bottle donation bins. Our bins were well received by everyone with plenty of Canuck fans asking if our bins would be around for future games.
The DDA crew clad in their bright white "Got stuff you don’t want?" t-shirts not only got to meet with fans, but also got to be fans in the right rear corner behind the San Jose net. The seats gave the group a great view of Vancouver’s first two goals; one scored by Alex Edler blasting a puck by the Sharks’ goalie on a delayed penalty and a few minutes later another beautiful goal as the Canucks’ RPM line went to work with all three players touching the puck before Mats Sundin put the puck in on his backhand. The Canucks never looked back as they knocked off the Sharks 3 - 1.
Overall, the night was a great success. The Canucks won (we would like to attribute part of this success to our cheering and the good luck that the DDA bottle bins brought), the fans were able to recycle their bottles during the game, and our charity was brought one step closer to fulfilling our mission of enabling people with developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential.
Star Employees at Starbucks
By Victor Tang
Starbucks Coffee Canada has won the 2008/2009 Jobs West Employer of the Year Award. This award commemorates an employer that has made significant effort to support and employ people with developmental disabilities. Starbucks has earned this award by not only proactively seeking and employing people with disabilities, but also by supporting them through developing specific training programs and tailoring individual jobs to suit their abilities. Starbucks currently has employed 3 individuals with developmental disabilities in Vancouver and is still interested in hiring more. A lunch and award presentation was held on March 19th in honour of Starbucks Coffee Canada for winning the Jobs West Employer of the Year Award and to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day which takes place on the 21st.
Kirsti Inglis, Assistant Director of Jobs West Employment Services at the Developmental Disabilities Association says, "Employing people with developmental disabilities can be very beneficial. They’re able to increase a company’s overall efficiency through job carving, tend to have flexible work schedules, low turnover and are hardworking and reliable."
Jobs West is the supported employment program provided by the Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) that assists job seekers and employers to find potential matches.
Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and the Developmental Disabilities Association would be delighted if you could join us at our upcoming Leisure Fair!
This event is a great opportunity for you to explore the displays and demonstrations of recreation resources available that welcome children with disabilities in the Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and Richmond communities.
What: Leisure Fair 2009
When: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Thursday, May 7, 2009
Where: Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children
3644 Slocan Street, Vancouver, B.C.
Gym and Multipurpose Room (2nd Floor)
(please enter via the 21st Avenue entrance)
Photos will be taken at this event. Please see a staff member if you have concerns regarding photo consent. If you require more information about this fair, please contact: Terry Schenkel, Developmental Disabilities Association tschenkel@develop.bc.ca or 604-233-5433.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 Leisure Fair!
In the last issue of The Star, we included a survey that determined what you wanted to see more of in upcoming issues of The Star. In response to those survey results, we’re trying to incorporate more of what you wanted. Changes need time, but we have started making these additions with this issue.
We were asked to put more articles about services, programs, and information for adults with developmental disabilities, so as a start, in this issue we have included several pieces with information targeted towards adults, including the article Persons with Disabilities Benefit.
Some of you wanted a more significant section for your thoughts, stories and submissions. Starting this issue, we have included a Speak Up! section where you may submit photos, responses or articles to us, and we will try to publish them in future issues of The Star. Keep in mind, we may not publish every single submission we receive, so make sure to read The Star to see if your submission comes up!
In response to wanting to see more Developmental Disabilities Association profiles, we’ve also responded with a profile on the President of our Board!
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled to see other suggestions realized in the issues to come. We want to make The Star your Star.
In our fast-paced life, it seems that the needs of caregivers are often overlooked. May 2009 will be extra special for a fortunate group of people. A relaxing "Be Kind to Yourself" spa day is planned for all you hard working caregivers.
Tickets are only $13.65, but get yours soon because space is limited!
DDA AND SAJE NATURAL WELLNESS ARE PLEASED TO OFFER
"Spa Day for Caregivers: A Special Time Out for Special Women"
May 3, 2009 from 1:00pm - 4:30pm
DDA’s Vancouver Office
3455 Kaslo St. Vancouver V5M 3H4
The following affordable mini spa packages are available:
Package A: Includes a ten minute chair massage where the back, neck, head and arm areas are massaged incorporating the stress relieving, energizing, or immune building benefits of Aromatherapy. Plus a free ten minute chair massage coupon and rejuvenizer coupon to be used at one of the Saje stores. Cost $13.65 including tax.
Package B: Includes a ten minute chair massage where the back, neck, head and arm areas are massaged incorporating the stress relieving, energizing, or immune building benefits of Aromatherapy, this package also includes a choice of a beautiful Aromatherapy product, plus a free ten minute chair massage coupon and rejuvenizer coupon to be used at one of the Saje stores. Cost $24.79 including tax.
In addition to your chosen package, you will experience: a mini aromatherapy seminar, mini touch treatments, footbath and foot massage, and also a hand treatment and arm massage, and also healthy snacks.
Due to limited spaces, package certificates must be purchased and paid for in advance. Method of payment: cash or cheque payable to "Saje Natural Wellness." Certificates for your chosen spa package are available after April 1, 2009. A certificate can be purchased at DDA Vancouver Office, 3455 Kaslo St. Vancouver, BC. Please come to the reception desk. For more information call Rayanne at 604-448-1625 or Rachelle at 604-264-1240.
In December 2008, we had our Annual Open House Event! Thanks to all who came out. The Developmental Disabilities Association head office was bustling. Rooms were packed with people browsing the lovely variety of crafts, jewelry and food available at the tables. There were fantastic prizes given away at the raffle, delicious food and tons of fun. With everyone’s generous support, we managed to raise one full van of food for the Richmond Food Bank. For those who could not make it this time around, be sure to keep an eye out for the 2009 Open House. We hope to see you this year!
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