Please note that we are a little behind on our December edition because we wanted to include links to photos and video from our New Year's Eve celebration!
IN THIS ISSUE...
1) A NEW YEAR'S EVE TO REMEMBER
2) DUELING CHEFS 2010: FEBRUARY 22
3) HEADING FOR THE BEACHES AND NYC
4) FABULOUS FESTIVE FAMILY FEAST
5) RDSP & ESTATES FEBRUARY 27
6) SELF-ADVOCACY NEWS
7) ANNUAL CONFERENCE MAY 26-29
8) COOKING UP A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
9) YOUR SUPPORT APPRECIATED
A NEW YEAR'S EVE TO REMEMBER
The eleventh annual LiveWorkPlay New Year's Eve in Ottawa party went back to its roots with a members-only blast at the Delta Ottawa. There was deli
cious food (people are still raving about the roast beef) and DJ Carlo was a huge hit as well. Nobody could remember the dance floor being packed so early - it was barely past 9pm when things got jumping!When the clock struck midnight there was a crowd of 80 on the floor to share hugs and kisses and best wishes for 2010. As the night wore on Carlo called "last dance" at least 3 times before the formal festivities closed down. Many LiveWorkPlay members spent the night at the hotel, and there were bus pools, car pools, and taxi pools organized to get everyone else home safely.
The spirit of the evening was captured with photos and video! What does next year hold? LiveWorkPlay is wide open to your suggestions!
JOIN US FOR DUELING CHEFS 2010
Thanks to Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar LiveWorkPlay will be the bene
The chefs of Juniper and Castlegarth will go head to head with a three course tasting menu paired with showcase wines.
On arrival guests will enjoy canapé creations by Juniper prior to the main event. Diners will also have the opportunity to influence the panel of celebrity judges in determining the winner. Talk about a win-win situation - great food and great fun, with up to $5000 going to support the important work of LiveWorkPlay!
Make your reservations asap by contacting Juniper directly at 613-728-0220 or click here for more information.
HEADING FOR THE BEACHES AND NYC
LiveWorkPlay youth and adult members have been saving up for the opportunity to enjoy international travel.
2010 will be the first time youth members will be crossing international borders on a LiveWorkPlay trip and they are very excited to be flying to New York City! Their trip will launch July 12.
The United Way of Ottawa contributes to the LiveWorkPlay costs of supporting the youth trip, including the planning week where members come together to make decisions about the activities they want to enjoy.
International travel. Airports. Public transportation. The safety issues! The costs! The risks! You may be wondering...why do we do it? That's a good question, and it has many answers. Click here to learn more.
FABULOUS FESTIVE FAMILY FEAST
After many years of the popular Family Fun nights, December 18 was the launch of a new LiveWorkPlay tradition: Family Feasts! The Festive Family Feast drew a surprising crowd of 130 people to share a delicious meal, listen to a series of updates and announcements, enter contests, win prizes, and enjoy holiday songs performed by Maureen Moloughney.
Some highlights of the night included the preview of a movie being developed by adult members called "The Date." The most amusing moment of the evening probably came when Daniel Harris presented a video reminder to parents to "call the hotline" (LiveWorkPlay provides weekly updated telephone hotlines). As some of the potential consequences of failing to call the hotline were reviewed in a humorous fashion, more than a few feasters in the room blushed and were heard to say "I think he's talking about me!" Click here for photos and video from this event.
Other announcements on December 18 included: more than 1100 hours contributed by the volunteer team since the end of August, several new employment positions being enjoyed by adult members, and the opportunity access support to plan for the holiday season.
Next up is the Spring Fling Family Feast on March 26. Attendees can expect another delicious meal, and we'll once again finish up with music. Performer Dave Milliken will be on hand with voice and guitar as we emerge from hibernation and embrace the joys of the spring season! Register early and take advantage of a 25% discount. A reminder that although the Feast is a members-only event, members are welcome to bring friends and extended family.
RDSP & ESTATES FEBRUARY 27
LiveWorkPlay will host a one day conference on February 27 with the morning dedicated to Wills, Trusts, and Estates and an afternoon for learning about the Registered Disability Savings Plan. This is the second in a series of one day conferences, the first being the Question of Safety workshop in November.
Our expert for the day is Brendon Pooran, principal lawyer at Pooranlaw. The morning session will be supported by The Law Society of Ontario and the afternoon by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The afternoon session will be immediately followed by the opportunity for brief individual consultations. Click here for more information and registration (limited seating).
SELF-ADVOCACY NEWS
As reported last issue, at the invitation of the Canadian Association of Community Living (and on the occasion of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities) Caroline Matte made a presentation to the Parliamentary Press Gallery of Canada. In addition to a newspaper article published by Canwest News Service on December 4, Community Living Leaders published two articles later in the month that explored the story with particular attention to Caroline's life journey.
In other self-advocacy news, LiveWorkPlay youth and adult members spent an evening with representatives of the Ministry of Community and Social Services on December 8. Some of the hot topics of the night included challenges with the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) income supports. For example, Amanda Manuel talked about how scary it was to get a letter about benefits being cut off as a result of a mistake made by a Ministry worker. Cooper Gage expressed concern for people with intellectual disabilities who are working in sheltered workshops where they are paid only a few dollars a week.
Although much of the discussion ranged beyond the normal scope of work for MCSS representatives Mary Jelinic and Marcel St. Jean, they were open to all topics and have facilitated new relationships for LiveWorkPlay and ODSP staff.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE MAY 26-29
The 2010 Annual Conference of Community Living Ontario takes place May 26-29 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel (Richmond Hill). LiveWorkPlay will be offering financial support to up to four adult members who would like to attend (details to follow).
Although registration for the conference is not yet available, if you plan to attend without applying for LiveWorkPlay financial support please click here for more information and reserve your hotel room as soon as possible, as space is limited.
COOKING UP A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
The annual Recipe for Success Culinary Adventure and Annual Auction event is the most important LiveWorkPlay fundraiser of the year. The 2010 edition is tentatively scheduled for April 8, and we are thrilled to announce that Bank of America has once again agreed to be the main event sponsor.
It doesn't take much for this event to be successful, it just takes everyone doing their part. In addition to helping with donors and sponsors, one of the easiest and most important ways to contribute is to invite and accompany members of your extended networks to the event - neighbours, co-workers, and friends! And after all the excitement generated by this addition last year, core LiveWorkPlay supporters are once again being asked to provide their home-baked goodies (appetizers and desserts). There will be many more details ironed out throughout the month of January, and LiveWorkPlay supporters will soon receive their auction package. The package provides the tools necessary for recruiting donations and selling tickets. But you can start now by preparing a list of businesses to contact for donations and people to invite to the event!
YOUR SUPPORT APPRECIATED
If you would like to make a donation to LiveWorkPlay, please click here to donate online or use our new PDF donation form, which now has options for credit card and pre-authorized withdrawals. You may also specify how you would like your donation to be used.
We are no longer in United Way Ottawa/Centraide campaign season (but of course donations are appreciated throughout the year) and this is a great time to contribute to LiveWorkPlay and any other charities that you support. You can download a United Way donation form that already has the LiveWorkPlay information included. The United Way supports LiveWorkPlay youth services!
We hope you have enjoyed this 37th edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. Click here for the web page that can be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews. Feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe. Send story ideas to Keenan Wellar.
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