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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Conference: "On the Job": Advancing Vocational Opportunities for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Addressing vocational and employment issues for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), this conference will be held in Toronto on February 2 & 3, 2012. It will identify current practices, resources and opportunities for vocational development in ASDs. The aim is to inform practice in Canada, and advance vocational opportunity for persons with ASDs. Keynote speakers are innovative international leaders who have created vocational success for persons with ASDs.
Beyond these keynote speakers, the conference will include presentations about leading programs, post-secondary innovation and support, and vocational research from across Canada. More information can be found at www.sickkids.ca/cme and registration is now open.
Stepping Stones to School - this is a 4-week program for families who have not yet started school or have just started school this year. It will take place on Wednesdays - February 15, 22, 29 & March 7th from 6:30 - 8:30pm. Stepping Stones has been designed to provide families of kids with disability the information they need for school, including IEPs & IPRCs, building relationships with the school, and building vision & values for their child. It includes speakers from the various school boards and community partners involved in the school, as well as a panel of parents who have been through this before.
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Become a Friend of Our Kids |
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Have an interesting story of hope and wish to share how Grandview has changed your life? Let us know.
newsletter@grtc.ca
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Save the Date!
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Send this email to a friend by clicking the forward email link at the bottom of this page!
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Season's Greetings from Grandview |
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 It is the season to celebrate at Grandview! Our friends at The Citizen Durham Region's Diversity Newsletter reminded us there are many special days being celebrated throughout
the late fall and early winter.
Grandview agrees that whether you're celebrating Diwali, Eid, Hannukkah, Christmas, Glaedelig Jul!, Thai Pongal or Chinese New Year, each of these special holidays gives thanks and the symbol of light, of hope is central to nearly all of them.
It is in the spirit of that hope and light that I wish each and every one of you a wonderful celebration this season.
2012 is going to be a year filled with hope at Grandview as we prepare to launch our New Strategic Plan in April. The dedication and commitment of all of us here at Grandview to continue to serve Durham Region's Children and Family with excellence has been overwhelmingly evident during our strategic planning sessions. We will be seeking feedback early in 2012 through focus groups and other sources of feedback to ensure what we are planning meets the needs of our communities. Please watch for an opportunity to provide us with your thoughts.
All the best for a wonderful holiday and health and happiness for 2012!
Lorraine |
 Staff at Grandview recently held their annual Holiday Gift Exchange, but in the spirit of the season, all the presents will be donated to children in need through Durham Regional Police - East Division, Clarington. How is this possible? Every year, Grandview's creative Staff Social Commite organizes a "Secret Santa" gift exchange. All staff members who choose to participate receive the name of another participating staff member along with an age from 0 to 12. The Secret Santas then choose a gift that the receiving staff member would have liked when they were that age. Staff members gather together with hot cider and baked goodies and open all the presents -- and then donate every single one of them to charity. It's a lot of fun for a wonderful cause. Happy Holidays from Grandview! |
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New resources available at the Family Resource Centre |
 Thanks to the generous donation by RBC Foundation, Grandview Children's Centre Family Resource Centre has been able to purchase additional adult resource books and special needs children's books. The children's books feature special needs children and characters that Grandview's Children will be able to directly relate to while exploring such topics as friendship, worries, toileting and special needs acceptance. For example, - Rolling Along with Goldilocks and the Three Bears
- My Big Boy Potty
- When My Worries Get Too Big
- Don't Call Me Special
The adult resource books include various popular topics such as parenting, special needs, and autism. Thank-you to all our families for returning the books within 3 weeks and the DVD's within the one week time frame. This gives all families the opportunity to learn from and enjoy the resources offered by Grandview's Family Resource Centre. |
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I'm writing this at home surrounded by presents in colourful wrapping and ribbons. But these are not nearly as exciting to me as looking forward to spending time with my family.
I feel so very fortunate that both our sons, as well as our new daughter-in-law will be here for Christmas. My husband, Martin and I emigrated to Canada in November 1973 - so this is our 39th Christmas here. We always reflect - particularly at this time of year - on how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful country!
In recent years, I've added Grandview to my list of things to give thanks for - how this wonderful place helps children and their families. But, while I think having Grandview in our community is something to celebrate, the celebration is muted for me - because the wait lists are far too long.
I imagine there are hundreds of families who wish Santa Claus could fast-track admission to Grandview, so their child could receive the therapy services they so critically need. So do all of us at Grandview!
While the Centre is doing all it can to serve as many children as possible, the Foundation is ramping up - growing and developing - with your help, so that we can be Santa for the many hundreds of children on the wait list by increasing our funding of the Centre.
Thank you for all that you are doing to help this vision become a reality - together we can help all Durham Region to dream, learn, succeed and belong.
Warmest wishes for a very Happy New Year!
Vicky
PS Our Holiday Help Our Kids Campaign is 81% towards reaching the $200,000 goal!
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| Holiday Help Our Kids Campaign |
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 Have you seen our new video yet?
Thanks to lots of creativity and some really great kids, we were able to create a video that highlights the dreams that our kids have.
Your help is needed to help make dreams come true this holiday season.
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| Durham College/UOIT and Koodonation "wipe out" or Grandview Kids |
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Durham College/UOIT joined the students at  Grandview Children's Centre and Campbell Children's School to demonstrate some moves that gave them the winning edge in the Wipeout-style obstacle course competition recently hosted by Koodonation.
The college students competed to raise funds for Grandview Children's Foundation.
Thanks from Our Kids.
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