Once again Aldor Acres has agreed to stay open one extra day so that we can have the farm to ourselves. Come and see the farm in harvest season, go on a hayride, choose your own pumpkin, see baby animals in their natural environment, and visit the famous hands-on animal display.
If you and your family are planning to attend please RSVP no later than Friday October 30. If the cost is going to be a challenge for you, please let me know and we'll see what we can do to assist. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday November 1!
Shawn Marsolais
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Once again Aldor Acres has agreed to stay open one extra day so that we can have the farm to ourselves. Come and see the farm in harvest season, go on a hayride, choose your own pumpkin, see baby animals in their natural environment, and visit the famous hands-on animal display.
If you and your family are planning to attend please RSVP no later than Friday October 30. If the cost is going to be a challenge for you, please let me know and we'll see what we can do to assist. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday November 1!
Shawn Marsolais
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
As many of you may know, Blind Beginnings has been actively fundraising over the past six months. We are pleased to announce that our efforts are beginning to pay off. We have raised some money through fundraising events and have also received our first few Foundation grants. More funding is needed in order to ensure the delivery of our Provincial programs and services but we are on our way.
As we continue to raise funds, Blind Beginnings would like to establish a volunteer database. We want to be ready to go with highly trained volunteers who are committed to our programs and services as soon as we reach our funding targets.
Blind Beginnings is looking for volunteers in the following areas:
Support Parents - Parents of children who are blind or visually impaired who will be trained to provide support, resources, and information to parents who are new to parenting a child who is blind or visually impaired. (We are looking for parents from all regions of the Province)
Youth Leaders - Youth who are blind or visually impaired who will be trained as leaders, role models and mentors to younger children, and speakers who will assist with blindness presentations in the community. (We are looking for youth from all regions of the Province)
Child/Youth Workers - interested in being trained to work directly with children and youth who are blind or visually impaired one-to-one or in a group setting.
Leadership Volunteers - interested in participating on the Board of Directors of Blind Beginnings
Administrative Volunteers - interested in assisting with bookkeeping, accounting, filing, processing registrations, etc.
Special Events - interested in assisting with fundraising, marketing, and public relations
All volunteers will receive extensive training relevant to the position, at no cost to the volunteer. If you have any questions or would like more information about any of the positions, or would like to inquire about the process to register as a volunteer, please contact Shawn Marsolais by phone at: 604-434-7243 or toll free at: 1-866-736-8620 or via Email: shawn@blindbeginnings.ca.
Please forward this announcement to anyone you think might be interested.
Sincerely,
Shawn Marsolais
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Manager,n Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Shawn Marsolais
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Students: $5.00
Adults: $8.00
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=cjd1WHZ1TVJhN2Q1THhNcFM4clMxZ3c6MA
There will be a concession with popcorn and drinks as well as a 50/50 draw. Please come out and watch a magnificent play with a wonderful team of actors while raising money for a great cause.
Shawn Marsolais
Manager, Programs & Services
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
What Happens After Grad Workshop
(for teens who are blind or visually impaired aged 15 – 19 years)
Preparing for the Journey to Adulthood
(for parents of teens aged 13 – 19 who are blind or visually impaired)
Workshops run simultaneously at Sunny Hill; teens will enjoy the Grad Workshop while parents participate in the Journey to Adulthood workshop. If you are unable to attend with your parent or teen, you are very welcome to come on your own.
Where: Sunny Hill Health Center for Children, main entrance at
When: Monday Evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.
Session 1: Monday, April 27
Session 2: Monday, May 4
Session 3: Monday, May 11
Session 4: Monday, May 25
Note: There will be no workshops on Monday, May 18 due to Victoria Day
Topics for teens in the What Happens After Grad Workshop are:
· Career Exploration - Limitless employment possibilities
· Applying for a Job – Research and Resumes
· Importance of Networking – cold calling and information interviews
· Preparing for the Job Interview – How and when to disclose a disability
· Workplace Accommodations – Assistive Technology and Funding
The teen group will be facilitated by Shawn Marsolais and Liz Charyna. Both Shawn and Liz have experience working with people who are blind or visually impaired in their transition to employment. “We are excited to assist your teens in reaching their potential!”
Topics for parents in Preparing for the Journey to Adulthood are:
· Steps Toward Independent Living
· Learning to Let Go
· Helping to Foster New Friendships
· Mentoring and Career Exploration
· Topics Identified by the Group
The group will be facilitated by Karen Meadows, Social Worker, and Janet Waines, Nurse Clinician, with the Visual Impairment Program at Sunny Hill Health Centre.
“We recognize that this is both an exciting and worrisome time of many changes in families’ lives. Together we hope to be able to connect with each other and to share information and resources.”
To register for either workshop contact Shawn Marsolais no later than: Monday, April 20.
Phone: 604-434-7243 or email: shawn@blindbeginnings.ca
When you register for either workshop please include:
· child’s name
· child’s age
· parent’s name and phone number
· email
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Hi Everybody,
Now that Blind Beginnings is a registered charity we would like to formalize our membership in preparation for our upcoming Annual General Meeting. If you are interested in becoming a member of the organization, you can register on our web site at www.blindbeginnings.ca or you can fill out the attached form and mail it back. You do not have to be a member of the organization to receive services or information. The benefits to becoming a member are: you can vote at the Annual General Meeting, you will not have to pay for workshops or programs offered by Blind Beginnings, and you would be eligible to be elected to the Board of Directors. If you would like to vote at the upcoming AGM on Sunday April 26, please complete your membership no later than Friday April 24.
The other purpose of this announcement is a Call for Nominations to our Board. If you are interested in being a member of the Board, please send us an Email stating what skills you bring and why you are interested. Our Nominations committee will be reviewing all applications and presenting a slate of nominees at the AGM. One of the requirements of our Board is that a minimum of 60 percent of the Board must be blind or visually impaired or a family member of a child who is blind or visually impaired. We would love to have more parents on our Board. The Board meets one evening a month, usually the first Thursday. The location of our meetings varies depending on who is able to attend and where we can find meeting space for a reasonable price.
If you are interested in joining the Board, please send your letter explaining your interest and skills to: shawn@blindbeginnings.ca no later than Monday April 20.
Please forward this Email to anyone you think might be interested. Details about the AGM will follow shortly.
Thank you,
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Hi Everybody,
I am very excited to report that Blind Beginnings has finally received charitable status!
This means we are now in a position to actively fundraise because we can now offer tax receipts for donations and apply for grants. The Blind Beginnings Board of Directors has spent the past year developing several creative fundraising ideas which we will now begin to implement. We have also developed valuable programs which will be available to children, youth, and families as soon as the funding is in place.
Please stay tuned for future updates including details about our upcoming Annual General Meeting on Sunday April 26!
Thank you for your patience through this lengthy process.
Sincerely,
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
I am pleased to announce that Blind Beginnings has recently successfully
completed our first Creating Confidence Workshop for youth. We would now
like to offer the same workshop to children age 8 to 12 who are blind or
visually impaired. The workshop will be held on Thursday evenings from 7:00
- 8:30 PM on November 20, 27, December 4 and 11. The location will be
Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce St. Vancouver.
Topics will include:
- how to talk about blindness and make others comfortable
- How to communicate through body language
- How to fit in with sighted peers
- How to make a blindness presentation to your class
There is no cost for this workshop but space is limited. To register please
contact Shawn Marsolais by phone at: 604-434-7243 or via Email at:
shawn@blindbeginnings.ca
Please forward this Email to anyone you feel may be interested.
Regards,
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
I am pleased to announce the next Community Discovery at Aldor Acres in
Langley!
The owners of the farm have offered to open especially for us the morning of
November 1. We will be able to explore the pumpkin patch, visit the petting
zoo, and experience a hayride.
When: Saturday November 1
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: 24990 84th Ave. Langley
Cost: $6 per person
Children who are blind or visually impaired of all ages, along with their
families, are welcome.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Email: shawn@blindbeginnings.ca or
phone: 604-434-7243, no later than Thursday October 30.
We will meet at the farm at 9:30 sharp. I look forward to seeing you and
your family on November 1!
Regards,
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
Blind Beginnings is excited to be offering the following programs this Fall!
1. Community Discovery - for families with children who are blind or
visually impaired
The purpose of the Community Discovery Program is to:
- Introduce children who are blind or visually impaired to concepts through
hands on real life experiences
- Demonstrate to parents and sighted siblings how to make experiences more
meaningful for the child who is blind or visually impaired
- Educate community partners on how to be more inclusive and accessible
- Provide networking opportunities for families with children who are blind
or visually impaired
- Have a great time!
The first Community Discovery Program will be:
When: Saturday September 27 at 2:00 PM
Where: Burnaby Fire Hall - Station 3: 6511 Marlborough Avenue
Why: To have a tour of a Fire Station, meet some fire fighters, learn how
fires are put out, and see a fire truck
If you and your family would like to participate, please RSVP no later than
Thursday September 25.
Blind Beginnings plans to offer a Community Discovery Program a minimum of
every 6 weeks. Tentative plans are being made for a trip to a pumpkin patch
for late October. Stay tuned for more details.
2. Creating Confidence Workshop Series - for Youth who are blind or visually
impaired
The purpose of the Creating Confidence Workshop is to:
- Increase comfort using Non verbal communication
- Learn how to fit in with sighted peers
- Meet other youth who are blind or visually impaired
- Have fun
The first Creating Confidence Workshop series will be:
When: Four Thursday evenings from 6:45 - 8:45 - October 9, 16, 23, and 30.
Where: Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce St. Vancouver
Who: Youth who are blind or visually impaired from 15 to 19 years of age
Topics will include:
- What your nonverbal communication says about you
- Tips to improve your body image
- How to put people at ease about your blindness
- Adopting positive self esteem and self acceptance
To register please contact Shawn Marsolais at: shawn@blindbeginnings.ca or
604-434-7243 no later than Monday October 6. Space is limited so register
early.
3. Blindness 101 - For extended family members of children who are blind or
visually impaired
The purpose of this Workshop is to:
- Introduce family members to the basics of blindness
Topics will include an introduction to:
- Our No-limits philosophy
- Braille and assistive technology
- Orientation/Mobility and Echolocation
- Basic labelling and organization strategies
The first Blindness 101 Workshop will be:
When: Saturday November 8 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Lower Mainland - Exact Location TBA
Who: Any family member of a child who is blind or visually impaired
To register please contact Shawn Marsolais at shawn@blindbeginnings.ca or
604-434-7243 no later than October 31.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Shawn Marsolais
Blind Beginnings
Phone: 604-434-7243
www.blindbeginnings.ca
