NEWSLINE July 2009 - Opal Family Services

NEWSLINE
July 2009
Special People Helping Special Families
Note from the Director…
Hello Families,
Welcome to our second newsletter of this fiscal
year. It’s full of many interesting facts and
resources. My job is to get the Administrative
“stuff” out of the way so you can focus on the
fun stuff!
First, OPAL has been fortunate enough to hire a
Summer Student to create a strategic Marketing
Plan. We have certainly taken advantage of
Melissa Perrin’s expertise and are blessed to be
able to provide a number of fun activities this
summer. Each activity is a fundraiser for OPAL
however the main goal of these summer
activities is PUBLIC AWARNESS. Therefore
these activities are designed to be “family
friendly” and member participation is certainly
voluntary. Many families within the Fredericton
area are still unaware of the wonderful services
OPAL has to offer and are also misinformed
about the disabilities we support; these
community activities will help to change that.
There is a detailed outline of each activity
included in the Newsletter, feel free to contact
the office if you wish to participate in any of the
fun events!
Second, just a reminder that membership dues
run from April-March to follow our fiscal year
and only 22% of our members have actually
paid the $20 membership fee. OPAL depends
on these funds to help with administration cost
of such things as this newsletter. Your
payment can be mailed in or dropped off to our
office and would be truly appreciated! Once a
member you also have voting rights at our
annual AGM.
Third, grab a coffee or a juice box, sit back, and
enjoy the newsletter!
Trish Mersereau
Executive Director
OPAL 2009-2010
Board of Directors
Executives:
Mike Thorne - Chair
Megan Doucette - Vice-chair
Vicki King - 2nd Vice-chair
Tim Kairns - Treasurer
Marie Downey – Secretary
Board Members:
William DeMerchant
Bev Dunfield
Gerry Hill
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
A BIG THANK YOU to:
The Fundy Trail!!
OPAL received a generous $500 cheque
from the Manager of Community
investment, Lisa Gibbs!
The Fundy Trail has donated three Multiday passes. Each pass consists of a two day
visit to the Fundy Trail during the season.
On the first visit, guests will get their pass
stamped and passed back to them for their
next visit. Any amount of people can be in
the vehicle as long as it‟s not a commercial
vehicle [over six passengers].
Fredericton Community Foundation!!
OPAL wants to also thank all the families
who attended the Human rights Meeting on
June 22, 2009 at Fredericton High School in
regards to Accommodating Children with a
Disability in School. There was a lot of
information and discussion, and the families
came away very up to date on the rights of
their children, and who to contact if the need
arises.
Shoppers Drug Mart!!
OPAL wants to thank the Fredericton
Community Foundation for their
donation of $1, 586.50 for a new washer
and dryer for the apartment.
HBC Rewards
Giant Tiger, North Side!!
Also, we want to thank and appreciate the
families who came out to the BBQ on
Saturday, June 27 at the North side Giant
Tiger. We also send out a special
appreciation for 105.3 FM “The Fox” for
coming out and doing a live news
announcement for us!
OPAL is now registered with the HBC
Rewards Community Program; anybody can
donate points to OPAL!!! Simply log online
to www.bay.com, www.zellers.com
www.homeoutfitters.com or www.hbc.com
Donators can link their Hbc Rewards to
OPAL‟s account online by using the Public
ID number, 9848685, or go on our website,
where there will be a section for donating
Hbc points. All points go directly to
programming for our families.
Thank You!!!!!!
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
FADSS had its first Annual General Meeting
March 25/09 and has formed a Board of
Directors. The BOD is as follows:
President
Lori Dicks
Vice President
Janice Price
Secretary
Peggy Fry
Treasurer
Sonia Breau
Members at Large:
Charlene Taggart, Amy
Lawrence, Gord Dicks
Membership: FADSS is compiling its
membership list. Membership is free. Please
contact Lori Dicks 472-3384 or
gl3@nb.sympatico.ca to obtain your form.
Yard Sale:
FADSS had its first fundraising
event May 30/09. It was a huge success. We
would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all
who were involved.
CDSS Conference:
This year’s conference
was in Halifax, May 15-17/09. It was well
attended. Personally, my husband and I found
it very informative and motivating. There was
information for parents of children of all ages. I
encourage others to attend future conferences.
Canada Day Parade: FADSS will be
participating in the Canada Day Parade again
this year. Come along and join us and invite
your family, friends, babysitter, service
providers, etc. We will be meeting on the
Legion parking lot July 1/09 at 3:30 pm. For
more information contact Janice Price at 4582715
Facebook:
We have a facebook page
where you can learn about upcoming events,
view meeting minutes, and correspond with
other members. If you would like to join then
submit a request to be a friend via facebook. In
addition, work is being done to develop a
website
Next Meeting: September 10, 2009 7-9 pm at
the Lakeview Inn and Suites
Lori Dicks
President, FADSS
Moving/Moved?
We are trying desperately to go
paperless! For those members who
currently receive everything via
“mail”, if you have a contact email
could you please call the office to
join our “email” list.
Also please let us know if you have a
new address, telephone number, or
email. We want to have your “upto-date contact information” in
order to keep you informed!!!!!
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
Memorial Gifts/Donations
 As of 2006 the disability rate in
New Brunswick was 17.2%, the
second highest Province in
Canada AND higher than our
national average of 14.3%.
 In 2006, roughly 4.6% of
Canadian children
aged 5 to 14 had one or more
disability.
 Over 40% of children in foster
care are children with
disabilities due to the lack of
family support.
 70-80% of adults with an
intellectual disability are either
unemployed or underemployed,
although capable of working if
properly supported.
 ONLY 33% OF CANADIANS
support inclusive education for
students with an intellectual
disability… …DO YOU????????
OPAL has been extremely fortunate
to receive donations from many
families, friends, and organizations
over the years. Every gift we receive
is greatly appreciated and helps
OPAL keep their doors open.
Web Site
Check out our „Members‟ section on
our web site. It is now officially up
and running!
You can log on to post information,
discuss topics with fellow members,
or write up your own blog and
connect with other families.
There will also be an events section
that will be posted to keep you up to
date with OPAL‟s activities and
fundraisers, and information about
resources.
You can also share photos, and
comment on what you would like to
make the web site more informative
or helpful for you.
(Premiers Council on the Status of Disabled
Persons)
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
Upcoming summer events
FUNDING SOURCES
FOR
OPAL FAMILY SERVICES
2009-2010
WHEN: Saturday, July. 25, 2009
WHERE: The patio at the new “Better
Living” furniture store, located at 1040
Prospect St. (Where „Mike‟s Restaurant‟
was formerly located; beside Shoppers.)
12%
1%
5%
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
25%
57%
Government
United Way
Memberships
Donations and Fundraising
EVENTS: „OPAL Fun Day‟ consisting of a
Flea Market, Bake Sale, BBQ‟d hotdogs,
cotton candy, popcorn, and face painting.
Deficit
Last year alone
OPAL Family Services
provided over 50,000 hours of
services to local families with
dependants who have
intellectual disabilities –
primarily through volunteers
and all services are FREE!
Please help support
OPAL Family Services.
Please contact the office if you are able to
help us by lending tables, or donating items
or baked goods for us to sell. We will be
accepting items all day on Friday, July 24th,
and early Saturday morning on July 25th. If
you would like to arrange an alternate dropoff time, or know of anyone who would be
willing to have their house as a designated
drop-off place, please contact the office at
457-9520.
Thanks, and hope to see you all there!!!
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
Bowl-a-Thon
When: Saturday, Aug. 15th
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Registration starts
at 1:30 p.m.)
Location: Kingswood.
We have included the pledge sheet for the
Bowl-a-thon with this newsletter, which will
be collected along with all monies the day of
the event. We will be giving out top prizes
from local businesses (to be announced
later) to the 3 participants who collect the
most pledges. Also, everyone who collects
at least 3 pledges will be entered into a draw
to win great prizes donated by Kingswood!
If you would like to sponsor a lane for this
event, please contact the OPAL office.
Sponsorship of a lane is $50, which provides
5 participants with 2 hours of bowling and
rental shoes for free! A 11x85 banner will
be placed by the lane to recognize the
sponsorship  To register please contact
the office – 457-9520
A Big Thank You to
Lynne Richard!!
As noted at our recent AGM, Lynn
Richard‟s term as Board Chair concluded
this spring, after four years of extraordinary
progress at OPAL.
Lynn‟s dedication to OPAL, and her
constant effort from Day 1 to help our
organization grow and prosper were truly
inspiring.
Lynn put in countless volunteer hours, every
week, for four solid years, as OPAL went
through a comprehensive process of change
and development. She led our Board in
meeting and overcoming a number of
complex challenges during this period, and
we salute her deep commitment to the
organization, our staff, and our families.
On behalf of everyone involved with OPAL,
A Very Big Thank You, Lynn ….from
your colleagues on the Board of Directors.
Special Donation
Hi everyone! My name is Jill Shaw, and my
daughter Richelle has autism. The support
we receive from OPAL is very important to
our family!
We all know that OPAL is in need of
fundraising, and with your support, I can
help. Every family needs protection from
the sun‟s burning and aging rays. Mary Kay
has many Sun care options, with SPF 15 to
SPF 30. I will donate 20% of all sales
from Mary Kay‟s SPF products to OPAL.
For more complete information on the
products, visit my web site:
www.marykay.ca/jshaw1 where you can
shop on-line at 24/7, or e-mail me at
jillshaw@nb.sympatico.ca. I can also be
reached at 363-5198(H), or 470-1568 (cell).
We are all working together for this very
worthwhile cause, and I want to thank you
in advance for supporting this Opal
fundraiser! This will run from July 15-31.
-Jill Shaw
Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant.
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
Involvement.
The Value of
Relaxation.
Respite gives
families peace of mind, helps
them relax, and renews their
humor and energy.
Enjoyment. Respite allows
families to enjoy favorite
pastimes and pursue new
activities
Stability.
Respite improves the
family’s ability to cope with daily
responsibilities and maintain
stability during crisis.
Preservation.
Respite allows
families to become involved in
community activities and to feel
less isolated
Time Off. Respite allows
families to take that needed
vacation, spend time together
and time alone
Enrichment.
Respite makes it
possible to make for family
members to establish individual
identities and enrich their own
growth and development.
Care
(UNB)
Respite helps
them preserve the family unit
and lessens the pressures that
might lead to
institutionalization, divorce,
neglect, and child abuse.
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
Recognizing our Workers
and Volunteers!
(Volunteers)
Norman Allain (2004)
Jennifer Bent (1993)
Theresa Bird (1991)
Kelsey Chiasson (2008)
Krista Gilliss (2009)
Valeria Hamende (2005)
Noah Hay (2008)
Ron & Virginia Jackson (1998)
Brad James (2008)
Jane Menzies (2002)
Stacey McGee (2002)
Trisha Mowatt (2008)
Matt Parlee/Jennifer McCumber (2007)
Mike & Sheila Ross (1984)
Allan Seara (2008)
Meaghan Smart (2006)
Mary Ann VanGaal & Gary Hughes (2001)
BEST BUDDIES (Start every October)
(Paid Workers)
Madeline MacKillop (2007)
Melissa Bonner (2006)
Stephanie Cole-McKimm (2006)
Elizabeth Burgess (2006)
Robert & Sharon Stewart (2004)
Jessica Bartlett (2006)
Wanda Gadd (2003)
Christine McCarty (2004)
Bill DeMerchant (2002)
Louise Brooks (2003)
Phillip & Sharon Black (2003)
Jackie Colford (1998)
Sarah Wasson (2003)
Elizabeth Jones (2008)
Paula Allan (2008)
Iain Robertson (2008)
Ronald Myshrall (2008)
Jodi Wall (2009)
Tanya Spencer (2007)
Cristina Sivitilli (2008)
Aline Savoie (2002)
Suzanne Pike (2007)
Brenda McLaughlin (2007)
Mary Ann DeWitt (1984)
Thank you, for your dedication
and hard work, you all truly are
“Special People!”
OPAL STAFF
Trish Mersereau
Executive Director, 457-9524
director@opalfamilyservices.ca
Jennifer McCumber
Caseworker
457-9526, jenn@opalfamilyservices.ca
Jill Sparrow
Caseworker
457-9525, jill@opalfamilyservices.ca
Candice Robichaud
Director of Human Resources, Finance &
Office Administration
457-9520, opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Melissa Perrin
UNB Marketing summer student
457-9520
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca
Special People Helping Special Families
Art Therapy News…..
The Chair
ANNOUNCING A NEW CREATIVE
PROGRAM FOR SEPTEMBER 2009!
We are selling tickets here at the office for a
beautifully crafted Adirondack chair, made
and donated by Mike Thorne from Flexiway
Products. You can purchase tickets by
calling, or stopping by the office, tickets are
$2 each, or 3for $5.The draw date is July 7th.
The Art Stars
Program
A CREATIVE RESOURCE FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
The Art Stars is a weekly Art Therapy
program for your Child or Youth to make art
and friends in an expressive and
empowering environment!
A unique, folding chair made
of Eastern White Cedar and
finished with an oil-stain.
Great for the home, cottage
or RV. Easy to transport and
store!
Art Stars I is for children ages 6-9 (1.0
hour)
Art Stars II is for youth ages 10 – 14 (1.5
hours)
Art Therapy uses art making and a supportive
setting to enhance self esteem, social skills and
the expression of emotions
FALL SESSIONS BEGIN THIS
SEPTEMBER -MORE INFORMATION
COMING SOON!
Ryan Chase, Youth Director, Fredericton YMCA,
506 462-3112 Andrea Savoie, Art Stars Program
Facilitator, Art Therapist
506 292-7789
THANK YOU FLEXIWAY PRODUCTS!
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect Street
457-9520
www.opalfamilyservices.ca
Check out our new Facebook page!
Search “OPAL Family Services”, and
request to join our group!
art_therapy@andreasavoie.ca
OPAL Family Services
944 Prospect St. Fredericton, NB E3B 9M6
Tel: (506) 457-9520 Fax: (506) 454-3660 Email: opal@opalfamilyservices.ca