July 30, 1999
The date for the first annual Special Needs Network charity golf tournament has been set for
Thursday, September 16, starting at 12:30 pm. In partnership with the Riverbend Golf and
Country Club, a fantastic day of golf, fun, food, and prizes will ensure a great time is had by all.
Riverbend is suitable for a variety of skill levels, and the tournament format will ensure that both
beginners and expert will enjoy their time on the course. Would you like to know more? Visit the SNN charity golf tournament website.
June 25, 1999
The Ottawa Senators Foundation, represented by Executive Director Marie Olney and Board
Member Brian McGarry, have presented Special Needs Network with a cheque for $5000 in
support of Network 303 programming. The presentation was made in the familiar surroundings of
Dundonald Park (see below). The Ottawa Senators Foundation was started less than one year
ago, and has been overwhelmed with requests for support. The Sens Foundation was also
responsible for providing 40 tickets to SNN client families to enjoy the Ringling Brothers and
Barnum and Bailey Circus. We hope this is the start of a beautiful friendship!
June 25, 1999
Network 303 program participants have been recognized for their participation in the City of
Ottawa's community Adopt-A-Park program. Ray Villeneuve of the Operations Branch and
Councilor Elisabeth Arnold congratulated a group of SNN program participants and staff
members. The enthusiastic group posed for pictures in front of a new sign that has been erected in
their honour at the entrance to Dundonald Park. Located at the intersection of Somerset and Bay
streets, the park has been adopted by Network 303, ACES, and WOWEE participants, who will
keep the grounds in top shape throughout the summer, and do a thorough cleanup in the spring
and fall.
June 23, 1999
Thanks to Ronald McDonald Children's Charities (RMCC), the Special Needs Network is off to a
great start in building a planned information technology literacy (ITL) centre. RMCC is providing
funds for the purchase of three computers and peripherals, which will enable the introduction of
an ITL component for various SNN programs.
June 22, 1999
Mackenzie Financial Corporation has contributed $1000 in support of Special Needs Network
programming. Thank you!
June 21, 1999
The Bronson Community Thrift Centre (BCTC) project is now underway! With funding support
from Human Resources Development Canada, Special Needs Network is leading an innovative
skills development and work experience program for six young adults with develompental
challenges. Supported by a Project Manager and two Program Supervisors, the group will be
engaged in a wide variety of employment and career planning activities over the next 48 weeks.
The team is currently preparing the thrift shop space (located in the lower level of the Bronson
Centre at 211 Bronson Avenue) and getting ready to display a wide variety of donated goods. If
you have items you would like to donate, please contact the BCTC team at 751-0557.
June 2, 1999
The Community Foundation of Ottawa-Carleton has approved funding in the amount of $2000 to
support learning programs related to cooking and nutrition for youth with developmental
disabilities. Through these activities, SNN will be compiling information that may assist with the
future development of a cookbook and/or instructional video.
May 29, 1999
The second annual SNN Great Glebe Garage Sale repeated the unbelievable success of last year's
event by once again raising in excess of $1000. A team of 20 volunteers worked from 7:00 AM to
4:00 PM setting up stock, pricing, bargaining, and manning the barbecue. Dozens of friends and
supporters dropped by, including Mayor Jim Watson and SNN Board Member Holly Pearce. It all
began weeks and months earlier, as SNN members began saving up donations, and some 20 car
loads were dropped off at the sale site on Thursday and Friday evening. Congratulations and
thanks to everyone involved for making this event a success. Proceeds from the SNN Great Glebe
Garage Sale support 2% of the yearly budget for Network 303
independent living skills programs.
May 17, 1999
Special Needs Network is currently accepting applications for summer staff positions, as well as
supervisory positions for a planned work experience project beginning in June. Summer staff
applicants must be attending full-time post-secondary studies in the fall. Supervisor applicants will
be participating in a Youth Services Canada project, and must therefore be under the age of 30.
Resumes can be sent or delivered to SNN headquarters (no faxes please).
May 14, 1999
SNN is organizing a Special Needs Network Charity Golf Tournament. This event will feature a
BBQ buffet lunch, 18 holes of golf, exciting contests and prizes, a roast beef dinner, and award
ceremonies. We are currently seeking a corporate partner, with a tentative date for late
September. If you know of local corporation that might be interested in supporting our Network
303 programs, please call the SNN office with your contact information.
April 28, 1999
What a performance! Thanks to the Tara Players and their benefit performance of the Niall
Williams play A Little Like Paradise, Special Needs Network sold more than 110 tickets
and raised over $600 in support of Network 303 programs. The performers took the audience on
an emotional roller coaster ride, with a powerful reminder of what life is all about: challenge!
Thanks again to everyone that contributed by attending and/or selling tickets. The Network 303
Independent Living Club did their usual top notch job in taking tickets and handing out programs.
April 27, 1999
Special Needs Network is pleased to announce that popular Ottawa-based radio station 106.9 The
BEAR has presented SNN with a donation of $500 through the BEAR Children's Fund. SNN
Director of Programs Julie Kingstone took part in the BEAR's Breakfast with Doc and Stuntman
Stu this morning to accept the cheque, which will go towards the purchase of cookware and other
equipment in support of the Loeb and Special Needs Network Family Brunch. For more
information about 106.9 The Bear please visit their website: http://thebear.net.
April 23, 1999
This year's edition of the SNN Great Glebe Garage Sale will be held Saturday, May 29th, at 81
Third Avenue. Donations are appreciated. The sale begins at 8:30 and ends around 2:00.
Barbecued food and cold drinks will be available on site, and SNN is also collecting
non-perishable food items for the Ottawa Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to help with morning
set up, and to take shifts as sales staff. Information: 235-9550.
April 19, 1999
The next edition of the Parental Mental Health Break will be Saturday, May 8th. Hosted by
Marcia Taylor of Brokerage Service, with Special Guest Dr. Chantal Whelan. The topic is
"Transitions from children's services to adult services". The session runs from 10:30-1:30, with
light lunch and coffee provided. Room 304, Bronson Centre (211 Bronson) RSVP appreciated:
737-7791 x 148.
April 17, 1999
It's just a week away! Saturday, April 24th, marks the last Loeb and SNN Family Brunch at the
Bronson Centre (211 Bronson Avenue) until we start up again in September. Please call the office
at 235-9550 and RSVP if you plan to attend. The cost is just $2 per person. The event gets
underway at 12:00 and ends at 2:00.
April 5, 1999
The CHEO Family Forum is hosting a Youth Resources in Ottawa exhibition at the
RMOC Building (111 Lisgar) from 7:00-9:00 pm on Wednesday, April 21st. SNN will be there!
Stop by the Special Needs Network table, which will be staffed by volunteers and members of the
Independent Living Club.
March 25,
1999
It's time for summer fun! Special Needs Network is please to be offering full day summer learning
programs again this year for the months of July and August. ACES (Active Community
Experiences in Summer) is for children with developmental disabilities, ages 11-17. WOWEE
(World of Work Exploration and Experience) is for youth and young adults with developmental
disabilities, ages 17 and up. Both programs will run Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 3:30 with and
hour of pre and post care available. A single two week session is still just $250, and multiple
sessions are offered at a discount. Those wishing to register for ACES/WOWEE need to
complete an intake interview with Julie Kingstone, our Director of Programs. Please call
235-9550 as soon as possible to schedule an appointment, as space is very limited.
March 15,
1999
The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton Health Department has awarded a grant of $5,000
to the Special Needs Network to develop a sexuality education component in association with our
Network 303 programs. This project is being developed in response to overwhelming demand for
a service that addresses issues related to relationships, sexuality, and social conduct.
March 2,
1999
The SNN Parent Support Group invited Iona Quinn from the local office of the Ontario
Disability Support Plan - Employment Supports to discuss the new ODSP-ES application
process. If you would like information about the meeting and/or ODSP-ES, please contact the
SNN office.
February 23,
1999
Get a ticket to paradise! On Wednesday, April 28, Special Needs Network and Tara Players
Theatre of Ottawa are pleased to present the North American premiere presentation of A
Little Like Paradise, by Niall Williams.
Combining comedy and drama in the eccentricities of its characters, this 1995 play portrays a west coast Irish village in which residents search for reasons to look forward to the future in the confines of their isolated hometown.
Proceeds from the performance will support SNN's programs for youth with developmental disabilities. Tickets are just $10, and it is expected the performance will sell out. Please contact the office at 235-9550 to reserve your seats today!
February 17,
1999
All you need is Loeb! Thanks to a newly established
sponsorship, we are pleased to introduce the monthly Loeb and Special Needs Network Family
Brunch. Since the initial establishment of the monthly brunch events in December 1997,
participants from the Network 303 program have worked with
SNN staff and volunteers to cook and serve over 1000 meals. Thanks to the generous
contribution of Loeb/Provigo gift certificates, donations from brunch attendees will now go
directly to assist with the costs of delivering the weekly Network 303 independent living skills
programs.
Most importantly, the Loeb and Special Needs Network Family Brunch can now contribute directly to our program objectives! With gift certificates in hand, it is now possible for SNN staff, participants, and volunteers to pre-purchase items in the days before the event. Planning the menu, preparing a grocery list, and obtaining and purchasing the items are all activities that can now be included as part of our monthly Network 303 life skills programming. We will likely conduct most of our shopping excursions in the familiar surroundings of Loeb Glebe, where we have received food donations in the past, and also filmed a segment of the SNN promotional video. We will also take advantage of other Loeb stores in the area.
The Loeb and Special Needs Network Family Brunch takes place the last Saturday of each month, with the exception of December, when it is held earlier in the month (there is no brunch event from June-August). If you would like to take part, please call the office at 235-9550 at least 7 days in advance of the date when you would like to attend. All are welcome.
February 16,
1999
Executive Director Keenan Wellar was interviewed at SNN headquarters by CJOH-TV for a story
about post-21 education that aired the following evening. Mr. Wellar expressed concern for the
continuing situation of injustice whereby most persons with developmental disabilities are
prevented from pursuing their education beyond age 21, while most other persons can continue
taxpayer subsidized studies for an indefinite term.
February 10,
1999
Executive Director Keenan Wellar appeared on the Daytime show at
Rogers 22. After a brief discussion of the
Special Needs Network and its mandate, SNN's new public service announcement was aired (see
the December 21 news item for more information).
February 5,
1999
You deserve it...take a Parental Mental Health Break! Through a partnership with the Brokerage
Service, the SNN office (Room 304 in the Bronson Centre), will host a monthly series of informal
information sessions on Saturdays from 10:30 - 1:30 (coffee and light lunch provided). The
Parental Mental Health Break is an opportunity for parents caring for a person with
developmental disabilities and/or mental health issues to come together to share concerns and
solutions in consultation with special guests from the community. The session dates are February
13, March 6, April 10, May 8, and June 5. Call Marcia Taylor from Brokerage Service for further
details: 737-7791 x 148.
February 2,
1999
The newest SNN initiative, the Bronson Community Thrift Centre (or "Bizzy Tizzy" for short) is
starting to pick up steam. Located in the basement of the Bronson Centre, the centre will sell a
wide variety of new and used donated items at low cost. The Bizzy Tizzy is being developed as a
work experience project for SNN clients. We are hopeful that funding requests in support of this
initiative will allow the project to move ahead in the spring.
Drop by the picture gallery to see some of the hard work that has been going on. Donations are now being accepted, and a dedicated group of volunteers has been working every Thursday to sort through the boxes and bags as we look ahead to an April grand opening. If you would like to make a donation, contact us today at 235-9550.
January 26,
1999
The Special Needs Network website has just won its first award! Drop by the Website news area for details.
January 18,
1999
The latest and greatest issue of SNNCONNECTS, the quarterly print newsletter of the
Special Needs Network, is now available. SNN members will
receive their colour copies in person or by mail within the next week. Photocopied versions will be available at SNN headquarters and at the next Family
Brunch. We can also fax you a copy, just >contact the office.
December 31, 1998 - December 31,
1999
What a blast! The first annual New Year's Eve Gala was the last SNN event of 1998, and one of
the best ever. 75 guests were in attendance for the start of the evening at the RA Centre in the
Canada Room, but numerous "crashers" drifted in from other parties taking place in the complex.
Many were no doubt lured by the enticing sounds of Dave Kalil's piano. After we all polished off a
delicious four course meal, Dave got everyone pumped up and ready to party with a solid hour of
crowd-pleasing tunes. Then "DJ Doug" took over as we worked our way to the big countdown. This was no group of "Cinderellas"
however...partygoers ages 8 to 78 helped us close down the building, as we waved goodbye to
RA Centre staff just before the clock struck two! The SNN New Year's Eve Gala will be back for
the big 2-0-0-0 next year. The event might be a bit bigger, but could it be any better? We shall
see! Thanks to Dave, Doug, and the RA Centre for a special evening. (Update: reserve now for the 1999-2000 Gala party).
December 21,
1998
Special Needs Network received a $15,000 grant from the Rogers Community on Display Fund to
produce a public service announcment and promotional video. The video was completed today,
thanks to the efforts of Diorio
Productions and Flying Colour Productions. The video would not have been possible without
the assistance of the many participants, parents, staff, partners, and volunteers who took part. The
program is based on unscripted interviews supported by text and visual imagery. In other words,
it's really cool! If all goes well, you will see the PSA on local TV in 1999. (Update: As of
February 2, the PSA had been spotted on both the New RO and CBOT. Update #2: A transcript
of the video is now available).
December 14,
1998
Julie and Keenan appeared on
the Noon News with Cyndi Edwards at the New RO (Channel Six) to promote the SNN New
Year's Eve Gala. Call 235-9550 and reserve your tickets now! The gala will feature a four course meal, cash bar, live entertainment, DJ, dance, and more.
(Note: This news page began with the above news item. For previous news items contact the SNN office for copies of the hardcopy SNNCONNECTS newsletter).