LiveWorkPlayNews 2007 - April 25 - Edition 6

IN THIS ISSUE...

1) APRIL EDITION OF THE BUZZ NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
2) RMHC SUPPORTS COMPUTER LITERACY
3) THIRD ANNUAL ROGER DODGER JUNE 1-3
4) VISIONING DAY FRIDAY JUNE 9
5) SUMMER BLAST-OFF BBQ POOL PARTY SATURDAY JUNE 10
6) ENGINES OF SUCCESS BANQUET WEDNESDAY JUNE 20

APRIL EDITION OF THE BUZZ NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE

Those on the LWP mailing list should already have their copy in hand, but those who are new to LiveWorkPlay or would prefer to read it online can go to http://liveworkplay.ca/BUZZ and view the current edition as well as a selection past editions. There are a dozen stories in the current issue featuring lots of great photographs.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES SUPPORTS COMPUTER LITERACY

Ronald McDonald House Charities has announced a grant of more than $13,000 in support of technology upgrades and additions to the LiveWorkPlay Internet Centre (LWPIC). The improvements will include the purchase of LCD monitors as well as replacement of some computer towers that are more than five years old. The LWPIC continues with heavy use from SMILE participants but is now frequented on Friday nights by Journeys enthusiasts.The computer centre will also be a part of the ACES summer learning program starting in July. For the first time ACES participants (ages 13-20) will have LiveWorkPlay email accounts that they will be able to access onsite but also from home. This supports self-advocacy for participants by providing them additional means to keep track of their schedule and new developments with lesser reliance on parents and staff.

THIRD ANNUAL ROGER DODGER JUNE 1-3

The third Annual Roger Dodger Volleyball Tournament is set for Friday, June 1 - Sunday, June 3, once again at the Tay River Tent & Trailer Park in beautiful Perth, Ontario (see www.taypark.com). The tournament benefits LWP, but the entire affair is organized and managed by volunteers without involvement of LiveWorkPlay staff. The event name comes from Roger Albert, grandfather of Sarah Albert, a SMILE participant at LWP. LWP family, friends, staff and volunteers are invited to participate by putting together their own teams, or enjoy watching the games from the bleachers, and tuck in to mac and cheese with baked beans. Contact rona@magma.ca to register!

VISIONING DAY FRIDAY JUNE 9

First on the June event schedule comes Visioning Day on the morning of Saturday, June 9. Attendance is crucial for participants and family members who want to contribute to the continuing improvement of the LiveWorkPlay organization. RSVP forms should arrive at every household by the end of this week. Please complete them and return them to the office asap to help staff organize the event appropriately.

Last year's Visioning Day provided critical information about LiveWorkPlay progress with respect to self-advocacy, and one important outcome was the Self-Advocacy In Action conference in November 2006. Positive outcomes from the conference are still being reported. Find out more about Visioning Day at http://liveworkplay.ca/VISIONINGDAY

SUMMER BLAST-OFF BBQ POOL PARTY SATURDAY JUNE 10After the intensity of Visioning Day, this is a day for nothing but fun. There's no agenda, and no reports will be issued. Enjoy a swim, take part in a cannonball contest, or just chill on a lawn chair enjoying delicious barbecue favourites. It's up to you! Please return the RSVP form so the right amount of food and drinks will be on hand. Find out more about the Pool Party at http://liveworkplay.ca/POOLPARTY

ENGINES OF SUCCESS BANQUET WEDNESDAY JUNE 20

The Engines of Success Recognition Banquet was developed as a means of including the entire LiveWorkPlay community and all of its supporters in a celebration of the year's achievements. For program participants it is an opportunity to practice public speaking and take the spotlight to share their accomplishments in front of peers and family. It is also a rare opportunity to give a public thank you to the many dedicated LiveWorkPlay volunteers who contribute their time and energy to LWP programs and events.

For private sector, public sector, and non-profit partners it is a chance to see firsthand what their contributions mean to the LiveWorkPlay community and to be recognized for their important role in making it all happen.

As with last year, there will be some short films released for the first time. Last year's "Out Of The Box" video was a huge success, and has been downloaded from the LWP website thousands of times by individuals and organizations across the world. Will this year's video releases be just as popular? Come on out on June 20 and be the first to see them. Please RSVP as soon as possible, as seating at Lakeside Gardens is limited. Find our more about the banquet at http://liveworkplay.ca/ENGINES

SUPPORT LIVEWORKPLAY: MAKE A DONATION

LiveWorkPlay is working hard to help people with intellectual disabilitiesenjoy a better quality of life. Please help support these efforts with acharitable contribution to LiveWorkPlay. Donate online with 0%administration fees at:http://canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=76323&Language=en(if the above link does not work please use: http://tinyurl.com/63m8u)You can also direct all or part of your United Way contribution toLiveWorkPlay. Please see http://liveworkplay.ca/UNITEDWAY for adonation form.Donation cheques can be addressed to:LiveWorkPlay153 Chapel Street, Suite 300Ottawa, ON K1N 1H5Telephone contributions:Julie Kingstone, 235-9550 x 222 Thank You

SMILE = Skills and More for Independent Living and Employment (ages 21+)
SMILE-TOG = SMILE - The Original Generation (older SMILE participants)
SMILE-TNG = SMILE - The Next Generation (younger SMILE participants)
ACES = Active Community Experiences in Summer (ages 13-20)
Journeys = ages 13-21 and still in school

April 2 - Edition 5

1) 3 DAY COUNTDOWN TO RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
2) LIVEWORKPLAY DAY AT CORA'S GETS RESULTS
3) SMILE MINI-BANQUET CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS
4) LIVEWORKPLAY OPEN HOUSE & FAMILY SHOWCASE

3 DAY COUNTDOWN TO RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

With just 3 days remaining the MBNA Recipe for Success Culinary Adventure & Charity Auction is building up for the opportunity to be the greatest ever! The incredible program detailing more than 100 silent auction packages and 30 live auction items is now online at http://liveworkplay.ca/AUCTION

A small selection of the these items were previewed on the A-Channel on Tuesday morning, and you can see that on video. A preview of the gourmet delights to come was revealed by Gay Cook in her Ottawa Citizen food column. Check out the video and article, both available from http://liveworkplay.ca/AUCTION

Those attending this event (Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 PM at 87 George Street) are encouraged to arrive early. It will take a few minutes to process everyone at the door, but patience will be rewarded with a an amazing loot bag and the opportunity to enjoy delicious food, take part in the balloon bust, bid in the silent and live auctions, and contribute to a great cause!

LIVEWORKPLAY DAY AT CORA'S GETS RESULTS

On Wednesday, March 28 the Cora's Breakfast & Lunch locations at 1545 Merivale and 1971 St. Joseph contributed 25% of proceeds to LiveWorkPlay, resulting in a donation of more than $1000! The LiveWorkPlay community turned out in large numbers at both locations, for both breakfast and lunch.

On the Tuesday before LiveWorkPlay Day, the A-Channel spent the morning on location, follow this link http://tinyurl.com/3cdttu to see some of the broadcast on video. On Monday, Leanne Cusack from CTV Ottawa was on site at LiveWorkPlay to get an update on recent developments in housing and also to share information about LiveWorkPlay Day at Cora's. Follow this link http://tinyurl.com/2makm8 to see some video from the two News at Noon segments.

SMILE MINI-BANQUET CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Just short of 100% of participants turned out for the SMILE mini-banquet on March 28th at the Lone Star. After enjoying a meal together the group shared individual accomplishments by taking their turn at the microphone. The mini-banquet concept started in 2005-2006, with these events scheduled in December and March as a way to close out the fall and winter sessions, but also to offer an opportunity to practice public speaking in anticipation of the "big banquet" which is known as "Engines of Success" and is held in June. There was some extra pressure on all the speakers as the crew from CBC TV's Moving On rolled tape for a future episode that will focus on participants who are making the transition to life beyond the family home.

Pictures and video from the March 28 mini-banquet event will be available soon at http://lwp.bz/SMILE/MINIBANQUET and watch for information about Engines of Success 2007 at http://www.liveworkplay.ca/ENGINES

LIVEWORKPLAY OPEN HOUSE & FAMILY SHOWCASE

Friday, March 30 was a very busy day at LiveWorkPlay. First came the public Open House from 2:00-4:00 PM. LiveWorkPlay staff and SMILE participants were on hand to offer tours and answer questions. It was a perfect opportunity for teachers, parents, potential participants, and others to get the inside scoop on the LiveWorkPlay community.

The first hour was slow but steady, and things got very busy after 3:00. Jennifer Harris managed the computer lab, taking visitors on a tour of the LiveWorkPlay website and featuring videos from http://liveworkplay.ca/self-advocacy. Amanda Manuel and Caroline Matte greeted visitors near the starting point of the tour and talked to them about LiveWorkPlay events, using photo displays on the walls as a backdrop. Check out a short video slide show from the Open House at http://liveworkplay.ca/OPENHOUSE

Just a few hours later more than a dozen SMILE participants were on duty at 7:00 PM as presenters at the Family Fun Night Showcase event. There were six stations set up to share information about Journeys and to get into the details of what SMILE participants have been learning. This included presentations about the Ontario Disability Support Program, voting in the recent municipal election, and the meaning of intellectual disability. Since September SMILE participants have worked very hard to understand more about the ODSP system, and have also learned how to better explain the meaning of intellectual disability and express their own needs and abilities to others.

The Family Fun Night Showcase represents a significant self-advocacy outcome for LiveWorkPlay, with the Friday night volunteer and staff team contributing in a support role, and participants taking on leadership roles of increasing intensity. Feedback from the evening was overwhelmingly positive, with many first-time attendees to the Showcase expressing surprise and admiration at the degree of difficulty managed by the participants in making their presentations.A short video slide show from the Family Fun Night Showcase is available at http://liveworkplay.ca/FFN

SUPPORT LIVEWORKPLAY: MAKE A DONATION

LiveWorkPlay is working hard to help people with intellectual disabilitiesenjoy a better quality of life. Please help support these efforts with acharitable contribution to LiveWorkPlay. Donate online with 0%administration fees a http://tinyurl.com/63m8u

SMILE = Skills and More for Independent Living and Employment (ages 21+)
SMILE-TOG = SMILE - The Original Generation (older SMILE participants)
SMILE-TNG = SMILE - The Next Generation (younger SMILE participants)
Journeys = ages 13-21 and still in school