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The DDRC's Main Office Gets an Update
Over the last two weeks staff and clients have been noticing some big changes at the DDRC's main office building! On the first floor, the DDRC's Learning and Leadership program has a new space to call its own, and on the second floor we
 | | Shelley Hunt cuts the ribbon for the opening of the new Learning and Leadership Centre. |
have more than doubled our space for clients to work at computers.
On Monday, DDRC client Shelley Hunt officially cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the DDRC's Learning and Leadership Centre. The Learning and Leadership centre will provide training opportunities for both DDRC clients and staff, as well as a range of other people from across the sector.
The new centre is spacious and complete with new chairs and tables and a Learning and Leadership logo to represent the program.
Meanwhile, on the second floor, staff and clients were already putting the new computers to the test. Last Wednesday, movers unpacked seven new work stations for client and staff use. These workstations are located in the second floor foyer and each is complete with a brand new HP hard drive and LG monitor. There are three smaller cubicles for the use of one client or staff member at a time, as well as four larger stations for clients and staff to work together.
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Clients and staff busy at the new workstations. |
Getting access to a computer is often difficult for our clients despite our society's growing dependence on technology for professional and personal use. Providing easy access to up-to-date computer equipment means that our clients will have new opportunities to learn computer skills and will have a safe place to use the internet or type up a resume.
We would like to thank our donors for their generosity, which made the installation of these new work spaces possible!
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Paige Sampson Strives to Make a Difference
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Paige Sampson works with a smile at Dale Carnegie.
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When it comes to work, variety is the spice of life for Paige Sampson, DDRC client and participant in the PACE program. While many of us would find it a strain working two jobs at once, Paige has just recently started at her third part time position doing administration at Dale Carnegie Business Group.
Dale Carnegie is an organization that runs personal and professional development training facilities across the country, so it is no surprise that, according to Paige and her Community Resource Worker (CRW) Andrea Kelly, it is a very positive place to work. Andrea explains: "At Dale Carnegie they see Paige as a colleague without focusing on her disability." The atmosphere at the office is welcoming and encouraging, making it easier for both women to get along with their jobs: Paige with her admin work and Andrea in supporting Paige. "Their business is to give people confidence," says Andrea, and this helps "encourage Paige to be the person that I know she can be: vibrant and independent."
Paige also works at Safeway and Calgary EMS. At EMS, Paige prepares "capsules of life," packets of information that are prepared in case of emergency so that paramedics have immediate access to an individual's medical history and wishes regarding treatment. The life-or-death nature of this work does not faze Paige, "I like to help people," she says.
Although her work keeps her busy most afternoons, Paige still finds time to swim with the Calgary Masters Swim Team three mornings a week and she is looking forward to waterskiing on a local lake as soon as the weather is warm enough. "I've been waterskiing since I was 12," Paige beams, "and I am [skiing] on one ski right now."
Whether the challenge is skimming over the water with only one ski to balance on, or juggling three jobs, Paige is not afraid to give it all she's got.
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Vipond Earl Grey Charity Golf Classic
Celebrates its 32nd Year
In 1969, members at the Pine Valley Golf Course in Woodbridge, Ontario organized a golf tournament to raise money for children with developmental disabilities. The tournament was a testimonial to a friend of the members who had a child with a developmental disability, and this year, the Vipond tournament celebrates its 32nd year.
Registration and sponsorship letters have hit mailboxes, and the DDRC is already getting a great response from those who would like to participate in, and support, this year's Vipond Earl Grey Charity Golf Classic on Monday, June 18, 2012.
The $60,000 raised from last year's tournament helped re-introduce the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Centre to the DDRC, which faced complete funding cuts in 2010. The AAC Centre provides various means of communication for adults with developmental disabilities through speech technology, training, and specialized equipment. Funds raised from the Vipond Tournament over the next four years will continue to allow the DDRC to independently operate and sustain this program.
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Players at the 2011 Vipond Classic.
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The AAC Centre has improved quality of life for DDRC clients, as Community Resource Worker Thom Fielding says, it "has helped [my client] to acquire, program and learn to use her Vantage device. She socializes with co-workers, goes for lunches with them...and was recently recognized for her five years of service." Thom also tells us that this device has helped her "to review her daily schedule, [and] to aid her in completing her computerized timesheet independently."
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 Don't miss the DDRC's annual Stampede Breakfast,
July 12
Save the Date! | |
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