October 2015 - North Shore Connexions Society

Summer
through the eyes of our Self Advocates
Making opportunities
happen………
Project New Capilano House – Complete!
North Shore ConneXions
Society (ConneXions) is a
non-profit organization that
supports families and serves
children and adults living with
a developmental disability.
Our vision is a community
where all people with
disabilities have equal
opportunities to lead active,
fulfilling lives and are
recognized as contributing
members of the community.
October 2015
ConneXions 59th Annual General Meeting
Bonnie Cadman
Cheri Dawn Carey
Shirley Clarke
Micheal Hall
Ryan Hall
Carole Harkema
Mark Kilian
Heather Lohn
Lorraine McLatchie
Jerry Miachika
Linda Sellars
Len Slade
Tom Tupper
Deborah Wanner
Apple Awards
Special Recognition Awards
Sandra Huynh
Alysha Brooks
Katherine McKay
Pam McLeod
Sherelyn Kanyamuna
Marnie Shumka
Blair Mercer
Laurie Baird
3P Naturals
West Vancouver Secondary
Self Advocate
Employee
Community Member
The front of the newly built Capilano House
Community Member
Employer
Happy Community Living Month!
Although October is Community Living Month,
ConneXions celebrates community living
twelve months of the year. This past year we
have supported individuals to:
■ become employed in the community
■ perform in a large community
production, Mingle of the Jingles
Sonia Dhir and Blair Mercer
Justine Taylor and Laurie Baird
Thank you Marnie Shumka for providing your
interior design skills for our new home!
Community Member
Community ConneXions
Newsletter
Edited by: Sonia Dhir
1070 Roosevelt Crescent
North Vancouver, BC
V7P 1M3
T: 604.984.9321
F: 604.984.9882
www.nsconnexions.org
the intention of generating income for the
Society. The clients are excited about their
new home and have been busy moving boxes
and settling in.
We would also like to congratulate our award winners:
Sherwood Park Elementary
Sponsored by
began several months ago. We now have
a new, fully accessible house which will
allow our residents to age in place. A two
bedroom suite has also been included with
We hosted our Annual General Meeting on September 23, 2015. At this
meeting, our 2015-2016 Board of Directors was elected and the Apple
and Special Recognition Award winners were recognized. ConneXions
employees and members would like to thank our board members:
Sherwood Park Elementary
Other contributors
in this issue:
Desi Diebel
Nathalie Callender
Wendy Padwick
We are delighted to announce the completion
of our new Capilano House! Following years
of planning, the ground was broken and the
construction of the new Capilano House
■ attend North and West Vancouver
recreation day camps
■ volunteer
■ raise funds for Red Cross International
■ travel outside of Canada
■ run a community kiosk
■ make and sell products to the
community
■ gain independence in the community
■ actively participate in their
community everyday
Alysha Brooks and Carole Hawthorne
ConneXions with Community Protection
The West Vancouver Police Department
(WVPD) has proudly served the North Shore
for over one hundred years. With a century of
public service behind them, it is not surprising
that the agency has come to embrace
community partnership and engagement
as a core value. It’s a commitment that we
see being put to action through community
safety programs and participation in the
many fundraising campaigns they support.
And, while it is typical of police forces in the
region to undertake these types of initiatives,
the WVPD has taken commitment to their
community a step further and inside their
headquarters.
In December 2014, the WVPD was approached
by North Shore ConneXions Society, curious
about whether the organization would be
interested in working with the Customized
ConneXions Program. It was explained that
the program assists people with disabilities
gain and maintain meaningful employment
in their community and that an employment
specialist would provide training, assist the
department integrate their new hire, and offer
ongoing coaching until both the employer and
employee were feeling confident. As anyone
who has ever been in the job market can
attest, just getting your foot in the door can
often be the most challenging part of landing
a new job. For those faced with disabilities,
mental health issues and other barriers to
employment, that hurdle can be much greater.
Fortunately the WVPD, familiar with the
benefits of inclusive hiring, was open to the
idea of working with Customized ConneXions
and in March of this year offered a civilian
position to one of the program’s job seekers.
Since that time the police department’s new
hire has been hard at work as a Facilities and
Equipment Assistant ensuring the grounds,
buildings and equipment are in proper
condition and regularly maintained. It’s been
a seminal partnership for the employment
program. It’s the first time in the program’s
history that a job applicant has found
employment with a police force and, perhaps
more exciting, the first time a job seeker
has secured a unionized position. As Raman
Manhas, ConneXions Employment Program
Manager, points out… “Most of the success
we have is working with small, independent
businesses… working with the WVPD has
been such an encouraging experience. It
has shown us that unionized environments,
whether in the public service or other large
organizations, do have the capacity to work
with and participate in supported employment
program.” It’s a success that surely wouldn’t
have been possible without the WVPD’s
dedication to their community.
Jordan and Moe enjoying the last few
warm and sunny days of the year
Janet was eager to sell some VE cleaner at the AGM
Mingle of the Jingles Wed Dec 9, 2015 • 7pm
Holiday Variety Show with Special Guest Valdy
Kay Meek Centre – 1700 Mathers Ave, West Van
Where is Valdy now?
“Juno winner and Canadian legend whose genuine
kindness and humility allows the audience to share a
connection rarely bridged between artist and fan”
• Peter & Lou • Yes I Can • Play Me a Rock & Roll Song
Tickets and more ...
www.mingleofthejingles.com
For more information about North Shore connexions society, Our programs, volunteering or donations
please visit www.nsconnexions.org or call 604.984.9321 today!
All proceeds to
The Summit
North Shore
Connexions