Edition 11 - October 9, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE...

1) LOTS OF GREEN AT INAUGURAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
2) ON OUR OWN TOGETHER TOO OPEN HOUSE
3) GETTING ORIENTED, STAYING CONNECTED
4) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2007
5) HAVING A BALL ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
6) UNITED WAY/CENTRAIDE OTTAWA CAMPAIGN

LOTS OF GREEN AT INAUGURAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

The September 25th charity golf tournament hosted by Quelmec Loss Adjusters and O.B. Villeneuve Insurance has raised more than $15,000 for LiveWorkPlay. Special thanks to Marcomm Integrated Business Solutions for contributing to this amazing result as a major event sponsor!

It was a gorgeous day at the Greyhawk Golf Club, with sold out attendance of 144 golfers enjoying the Predator course with four hole-in-one contests. Although no one took home the top prize of a $20,000 automobile from Southbank Dodge or any of the three $10,000 prizes that were also available, the enthusiasm of the LiveWorkPlay volunteers out on the course helped ensure a memorable day for all.

Following 18 holes of golf there was a delicious roast beef dinner, dozens of door prizes, and a brief live auction highlighted by a dinner for eight at Tosca Ristorante. Top prize of the day for the Closest-To-The-Pin contest was a return flight for two courtesy of Porter Airlines.

See http://liveworkplay.ca/GOLF for pictures from the tournament and the banquet.

ON OUR OWN TOGETHER TOO OPEN HOUSE

The On Our Own Together Too (OOOT-TOO) housing initiative was launched with a packed Open House on the evening of September 27th. This new transitional housing program is being supported by the Community Foundation of Ottawa for the next three years. The first two participants to experience two months of supported apartment living are moving in October 13th!

Each participant will receive support and evaluation on an ongoing basis, and a final report upon graduation providing suggestions to help them in realizing their individual future housing goals.

OOOT-TOO follows the success of the OOOT-1 and OOOT-2 group housing projects at Carleton University in 2003 and 2004.

This new initiative is designed not only to give participants the opportunity to spend time living outside the family home, but also to provide an experience similar to that of condominium living, a permanent housing solution that LiveWorkPlay has been supporting for the past year. This includes providing supports to families who have purchased their own condominium units, as well as raising funds to purchase units for those who cannot afford an ownership solution.

In the past year ten SMILE participants have moved out. OOOT-TOO will help mainly younger SMILE participants in their early 20s to learn more about their needs and abilities, and also give their parents the opportunity to experience a different lifestyle of their own! Check out pictures from the Open House at http://liveworkplay.ca/OOOT-TOO-OH.

GETTING ORIENTED, STAYING CONNECTED

The annual Orientation event featured attendance of close to 100 participants and family members! This year there was information presented not only about the upcoming year at LiveWorkPlay but also topics of general interest like the Ontario Disability Support Program and the Community Bus Pass.

The session called Staying Connected was all about how the LWP website is now featuring a Members Only area with tons of information targeted mainly to parents of Journeys and SMILE participants. The Members Only area is accessed at http://liveworkplay.ca/MEMBERS.

To see dozens of photos from the Orientation please visit: http://www.liveworkplay.ca/ORIENTATION.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2007

The Annual General Meeting took place on September 19th. The Board of Directors presented information about their work in 2006-2007, including their efforts to bridge with Journeys families to get a better understanding of their present and future concerns and needs. The Executive Staff reported on programs and events, and reviewed financial information, highlighted by the purchase of two condominium units that are now home to four people with intellectual disabilities. See photos and read the full minutes from the meeting: http://www.liveworkplay.ca/AGM.

HAVING A BALL ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

After six straight sold-out years in the penthouse of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the LiveWorkPlay New Year's Eve party is making a big move. No, the party is staying at the same hotel. Confused? Don't be! Come on down to New Year's Eve In Ottawa - now in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza. We're also please to announce that A-Channel Ottawa is returning as our television media sponsor!

This will make room for another 200 guests, and also for a big stage so live band Sticks 'n Stones can rock the dance floor all night long! Also new for this year the event has its own website with online ticket sales. There is special earlybird pricing available for members and groups, so get your tickets now and save! Read the Frequently Asked Questions and order tickets: http://www.NewYearsEveInOttawa.com.

UNITED WAY/CENTRAIDE OTTAWA CAMPAIGN

On September 21, 2007, United Way/Centraide Ottawa announced its largest fundraising goal ever of $29.7 million for the 2007 campaign. The goal was unveiled at the annual campaign kick-off at the Ottawa Congress Centre. The breakfast event was attended by more than 1,400 of United Way/Centraide’s supporters, volunteers and donors, including LWP volunteer Jenn Ryan and SMILE participant Laura Stewart.

You can direct all or part of your United Way contribution toLiveWorkPlay. Please see http://liveworkplay.ca/UNITEDWAY for a donation form.

We hope you have enjoyed this 11th edition of LiveWorkPlayNews 2007. If you have received this email in error and/or you would prefer not toreceive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe. If you have anydifficulty with subscribing or unsubscribing, send details to Keenan Wellar and ask for assistance.