RSCL VIEWSSummer 2013

Seeing beyond disability to ability

Richmond Society for Community Living

Richmond Society for Community Living170 - 7000 Minoru Blvd, Richmond BC V6Y 3Z5

604-279-7040 | info@rscl.org | www.rscl.org

What’s Inside:Inclusion BC ConferenceTreehouse explorationsThank you to supportersCommunity raising funds for RSCLTaste of IndiaYC Outdoor space Celebration

Outstanding Individuals - Jonathon and Melissa

RSCL Quality ImprovementRSCL and McDonalds RestaurantsChanging the world one child at a time

Staff and participants

enjoy the new outdoor space

at Youth Connections

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 2

Inclusion BC conference through the eyes of self advocatesCaroline Holat, Mark Downey, Clark Levykh, Jerry Cheng, Carrie Derickson

As reported to Denise Abegg

This year Inclusion BC (formerly The BC Associa�on for Community Living ) held their annual conference and AGM in

Vancouver at the Sheraton Wall Center. The four days, which included a pre-conference on Wednesday and closed with the

Annual General mee�ng on Saturday, were jam packed with interes�ng workshops and engaging keynote speakers.

The pre-conference contained several focus groups; Clark really appreciated this early forum for discussions. Especially

interes�ng to Clark were discussions on the societal epidemic of isola�on. This topic brought up many ideas for crea�ng be�er

community connec�ons through city planning and global partnerships.

Thursday started with the Inclusion BC naming ceremony in which Mark par�cipated. Mark was excited to be a part of such an

important event. The ceremony set a nice tone for the overall theme of the conference - Community Inclusion and

Empowerment.

Another notable event was the performance given by Canadian poet Shane Koyczan on Friday morning. Koyczan really brought

the spirit of inclusion to the conference with several Vancouver High Schools a�ending to see him perform.

Everyone was posi�ve about the workshops and there were a few clear favorites. Story Lab with InCommon.TV was a highly

recommended by Clark and Jerry. Both enjoyed the opportunity to share their story and to explore expanding community

connec�ons through social media. Clark also enjoyed 'The Hunt for Hospitality: Finding and Crea�ng Welcoming Places'. This

seemed to speak to the theme of the conference as well as the topic of being welcomed into community – a topic Clark is

passionate about.

Carrie really appreciated 'Traveling with a Diversability' and Caroline was excited about the discussions that came about in

'Quality of Life…That's What it's All About'.

Everyone is excited for next year's conference and to witness the posi�ve impact of their voices in the coming years. Thank you

to Inclusion BC for offering such diverse opportuni�es to be�er understand how we can listen and create inclusion in our

communi�es and beyond.

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 3

Con�nuing with our trend of crea�vity and innova�on,

Treehouse early Learning Centre has undergone many changes

over the last 6 months. One of the most no�ceable changes is

our physical space.

The staff took a series of workshops in order to learn more about

beau�fying our environment and we began by emptying a whole

area and slowly restocking it with interes�ng and varied natural

materials. We en�rely redesigned the free play room and

introduced a new homey 'living space' - complete with aluminum

and wood utensils, glass stones, shaded lamps, framed art and

sheer curtains to divide the area.

The children are having a wonderful �me exploring the new

space and crea�ng scenarios - they have held dinners, tea par�es,

picnics, and more. Our parents have also welcomed the changes.

During our most recent work party, they helped to hang curtains

and pictures, and beau�fy our outdoor space with hanging plants

and plan�ng our garden. In this environment the staff and

children play together in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, where

learning is a result of our everyday experiences.

Lori Mountain, Treehouse Supervisor

New Kids Help Phone App

In December, launched “Always Kids Help Phone

There”, Canada's first mobile app connecting

youth to live professional help and support.

The app, designed with youth input, provides a

password protected space for youth to log their

feelings, flip through a ton of youth-submitted

tips, inspirational quotes, and jokes aimed at

helping youth cope with stress.

"Always There" also features offline tipsheets on

a variety of emotional health topics and the app

can connect you directly with a Kids Help Phone

counselor over the phone, or through Live Chat.

The app is available for iPhone, Android, and

Blackberry.

Spending �me at this year's Inclusion BC conference as both

a board member and presenter was both exhilara�ng and

exhaus�ng! This year's conference focused on the power of

stories from individuals, families and other allies which gives

us all an opportunity to reflect on our own stories and the

stories of the people we love.

I have always thought of the Community Living movement as

a peace movement and con�nue to strengthen that view as I

witness people sharing their struggles and their triumphs

with each other and the compassion and passion with which

people react. It strikes me that as we listen to each other

through loving ears and hearts, it strengthens our

connec�ons and reac�ons to each other and moves us away

from fearfulness, toward a community immersed in love.

Authors Peter Block and John McKnight call this "The

Abundant Community". I don't know about you but that's

where I want to live!Shelley Nessman, Board President

Message from the Board

Treehouse early Learning Centre explorations

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 4

Coffee shops are a great place to create and nurture a sense of community. A visit over a cup of coffee or tea is an excellent way to connect with friends or meet people and establish new rela�onships. No where is this more true than at the Blenz Coffee Shop in Garden City Mall in Richmond. Since 2005, scores of men and woman meet daily to discuss life and solve the world's problems while drinking their delicious Blenz coffee or tea. This unlikely group represents a broad cross-sec�on of community both in age and ethnic background. They also represent a range of professions with some beginning their careers while others are re�red. What they have in common - these are good people with their hearts in the right place. They want to make their community a be�er place. In 2009 Larry Langton decided to organize a Blenz Gang Golf Tournament Fund Raiser with a plan to donate proceeds to a selected charity. The group all sprung into ac�on, with support from the Garden City Blenz. The focus of the tournament is two-fold: to have FUN and to raise some funds for charity. The 5th annual Blenz Gang Open took place on Saturday June 8th at Country Meadows golf course in Richmond. Although the weather started off with a li�le bit of rain, the skies cleared and the golfers enjoyed sunshine through the a�ernoon. It was a fun day, everyone enjoyed themselves and there were many highlights. The tournament raised $1680.00 for Richmond Society for Community Living, dedica�ng the funds to Youth Connec�ons. Thank you to the tournament organizers for choosing to support RSCL and congratula�ons to all the trophy winners:

Low Gross.....Robert KearnLow Net.....Nicholas ChanKP Hole.....John Marino

Longest Drive.....Wayne TophamMost Honest Golfer.....Ben (Hogan) NielsenBrian Boyle Sportsman.....Rob Macdougall

5th Annual Blenz Gang

Community raising funds for RSCL

RSCL Infant Development Program and Supported Child

Development Program have been hard at work developing

an improved inventory and storage system for our Lending

Library.

With a recent grant from CKNW Orphan's Fund resul�ng in

the purchase of new developmental toys which will be

loaned to families to help their infant(s) with extra support

needs to promote development. Books on a range of

disability related topics and adap�ve equipment will be

loaned to child care centres and preschools who support

children from age 3 to fully par�cipate in their programs.

Funds raised at our two signature events – The Benefit of

Possibili�es (November) and A Taste of India (April) – also

contribute to this vital service for families and our

community. Thank you to CKNW Orphan's Fund and to all

who a�ended our events.

Thanks to con�nued funding from Coast Capital Savings,

RSCL con�nues to offer the Tuesday Night Social Group

which provides the opportunity for youth who have been

diagnosed with a developmental disability to form peer

rela�onships in a fun and safe environment.

The program will be on hiatus over the summer, returning in

the fall with plans to offer ac�vi�es like bowling, movie

night, karaoke party and much more. This very popular

program is free to a�end, with registra�on required. If you

would like more informa�on about the Tuesday Night Social

Group, please contact Denise Abegg at dabegg@rscl.org.

Thank you to recent supporters

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 5

th thOn Friday, April 5 , 2013 RSCL hosted our 13 annual mul�cultural dinner and dance – A Taste of India at South Hall in Vancouver. In addi�on to a tradi�onal Indian banquet and dance, a�endees of the event were treated to live entertainment, and the opportunity to bid on silent and live auc�on items.

More than 300 people a�ended the event which included exci�ng casino ac�on thanks to our partnership with the River Rock Casino Resort and Great Canadian Casino. Comedian Sunee D hosted the event and guests were treated to a performance by the Senior Belly Dance Company at Urban Dance Company. A special thank you to RSCL parent Heather Morovic who shared some of her family's journey since the birth of her daughter Kaitlyn.

Together we raised more than $10,000 in support of our RSCL Lending Library which provides specialized toys and adap�ve equipment for infants and children with developmental disabili�es. Fund raised will also benefit our Family Resource Program which provides informa�on, resources and support to families that face the extraordinary circumstances that come with having a loved one who has a developmental disability.

Thank you to all our donors and supports who helped

to make the event a success.

Melanie ArnisJason Athwal

Audi of RichmondGail Bains

Satwant BainsBC FerriesLisa Cowell

Daniel Hospitality GroupFairmont Empress Hotel

Fairmont Vancouver Airport HotelSue Graf

Land Rover RichmondLickerish Lounge

Jag NijjarDeb PierceJulie Porter

River Rock Casino ResortVancouver Aquarium

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 6

In the Spring of 2009 Richmond Society for Community Living began the largest fundraising campaign in our organiza�on's history – to raise funds to renovate the outdoor space at our Youth Connec�ons program. The outdoor space serves as a social mee�ng place and recrea�on area for children, tweens and teens that a�end the YC program. This newly designed outdoor space provides a balance of physical, sensory, and social development while also crea�ng both ac�ve and passive areas that provide a variety of sensory experiences including sight, sound, smell and touch.

thOn Tuesday, June 18 RSCL a garden party to officially unveil the space and to celebrate the comple�on of the campaign.

Janice BarrBlenz Gang Golf Tournament

BC Ferries - Deas Pacific MarineCity of Richmond

CKNW Orphans FundLisa Cowell

Nancy DavidsonDalbir Dhaliwal

Dr. Barend Zack Inc.Theresa Edmondson

Johanne EnemarkPaul Flesher

Miyoko HamadeFaye Ho

Coulson HoogveldMaria LavothaLeanne Martin

Eva MayMinistry of Housing and Social Development

Nenad and Heather MorovicSusan Nishi

PNE PlaylandJulie Porter

Safe & Sound Security Systems Ltd.Daniel Tam

United Way of Greater TorontoVancouver Foundation

Westwind Elementary SchoolKatherine Yeo

Vancity

RSCL would like to thank our donors February 15, 2013 to June 15, 2013

Youth Connections Outdoor Recreation Space - Grand Opening Celebration

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 7

It is outstanding team members like Jonathan Square-Briggs that has helped the HandyCrew Coopera�ve have one of its best years ever. A member of HandyCrew for the past two years, Jonathan is a friendly young man with a huge smile and inquisi�ve spirit.

Jonathan has also personally had a great year, full of new undertakings and accomplishments. He has progressed in his landscaping skills to the point where he is now responsible for one of our regular landscaping contracts. When not landscaping, Jonathan delivers HandyCrew flyers in the community to help create more business for the team. He is a valued member of the HandyCrew Co-opera�ve and at our recent AGM, was honoured with an award for “Most Improved Member”. We are told that he has taken charge of lawn-mowing at home too!

Jonathan also performs a HandyCrew contract to deliver the Richmond News to local businesses along No. 3 Road. This job combines Jonathan's love of the outdoors, mee�ng new people and being involved in his community. Way to go, Jonathan! Your hard work is much appreciated by Richmond News and Richmond HandyCrew Co-opera�ve!

Suzanne Jackson, Employment Specialist

Jonathan and Rob at the Richmond News

Outstanding Individuals - Jonathan

Outstanding Individuals - Melissa

Congratula�ons to Melissa who is proudly displaying her well

deserved paycheque from Boston Pizza on Ackroyd Road. Melissa

helps this upscale, fun establishment during the lunch rush. She

makes sure the server sta�ons sparkle, cutlery is spotless and

ensures that there is a good supply of assembled pizza boxes. Her

bright smile and bubbly personality make her a great addi�on to

the BP team. Make sure to stop in for a delicious meal and fun

�me at Boston Pizza soon. It's a great place to watch your

favourite sports!

Also – please remember to remit your bill to your server who will

add it to the BP Team Rebate Program. Just let your server know

you'd like to support RSCL and Boston Pizza will donate 10% of

your bill to RSCL.

RSCL would like to thank Vancouver Founda�on for their on-going

financial support for our Youth Employment program which helps

individuals like Melissa to contribute to her financial

independence and social inclusion through securing real work for

real pay. Thank you!

Melissa with her first paycheck

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 8

As part of RSCL's Quality Improvement Program, we produce

an annual Outcomes Management Report which summarizes

how well we are doing our job. The informa�on and analysis

derived from the Outcome Management process is used to

highlight areas of strengths and iden�fy areas requiring

improvement. Families, Individuals and other stakeholders of

RSCL o�en get surveyed or interviewed in an a�empt to

gather feedback about how we do the work that we do. The

response rate for surveys given to families was 40.69% which

is above the industry standard.

We gather informa�on in all program areas (Infant

Development, Supported Child Development, Treehouse,

Youth Connec�ons, LIFE Day Services, Employment Services,

Residen�al Services, Support Living, and Respite). For each of

these program areas, we set goals and collect informa�on

about:

Sa�sfac�on – what the people using our programs

think about RSCL and the services they receive

Effec�veness – how well things work compared to the

results we expect

Efficiency – how well we make use of the resources

we have

Service Accessibility – how easy it is for people to get

the services they need

In 2012, the average level of sa�sfac�on across the

organiza�on was 100%. Thank you to all of the families that

we support. This number tells us that we are doing our job to

your sa�sfac�on.

RSCL began formally collec�ng program outcome informa�on

ten years ago. Since that �me, we have refined our surveys,

and determined other ways to collect informa�on and

feedback about our programs and services. We are

con�nually improving our Outcome Mangement System and

will be doing this again in prepara�on for the 2014 calendar

year. Many of our goals (Outcomes and Indicators) have been

refined and adjusted to further challenge and promote service

excellence.

As a result of the informa�on gathered and analyzed over the

last ten years, we have:

1. Improved personal planning processes and followed

through on established goals set by individuals and

their families;

2. Established an Employment Service Department,

including Supported/Customized Employment and

the Richmond HandyCrew Coopera�ve;

3. Advocated for the expansion of early interven�on

supports for families, and explored alterna�ve

funding sources for children's services;

4. Modified programs to accommodate the unique and

changing needs of the people we support, e.g.

renova�ons, extra staffing, hours of service, etc.;

5. Created and sustained regular communica�on with

families and stakeholders, e.g. RSCL Newsle�er,

Program Specific Newsle�ers, RSCL website, e-zines,

Facebook, etc.;

6. Deve loped a be�er understand ing o f the

demographics of the people who access our services.

This has helped us reach out to different ethnic and

cultural groups, e.g. translated material, changes in

hiring prac�ces, etc.;

7. Shi�ed the priority within residen�al services

towards developing and maintaining rela�onships for

the individuals outside of paid support.

8. Offered a variety of assistance and support in the

areas of l i fe-ski l ls , le isure and recrea�on,

volunteerism and job placements, with a focus on

community and social inclusion;

9. Redeveloped Adult Day Services and created LIFE

Services where individuals have a home site and will

par�cipate in varying ac�vi�es moving from program

site to site and/or community loca�ons depending on

their personal goal based schedule;

10. Created the Youth Employment Program in

partnership with the Richmond School District.

Part of the Outcome Management Report is a summary of the

demographics of the people we support. In 2012, RSCL

served a total of 982 individuals. The following charts

breakdown the age, diagnosis and ethnicity for the agency

overall. Please note: The diagnosis totals do not necessarily

add up to the 982 individuals served as some individuals may

have more than 1 diagnosis.

If you would like to see a copy of the full 2012 Outcome

Management Report, drop by Head Office.

Richmond Society for Community Living’s Quality Improvement

RSCL is the “agency of choice” for families and is considered the “agship community organization” Laney Bryenton, author of the External Stakeholders section of

RSCL’s 2012 Outcome Management Report.

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 9

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 10

Staff Changes:RSCL Infant Development Program is pleased to announce

Annie Hung as our new IDP Coordinator. Annie has been a

consultant in IDP for 5 years and has taken over the

Coordinator posi�on in February.

We are also excited to introduce a new consultant to our team.

Jessica Hamm worked for RSCL for the past four years as a

Recrea�onal Counsellor at Youth Connec�ons and as relief

staff at Treehouse early Learning Centre. Jessica has a B.A in

Psychology with a specializa�on in prenatal and infant

development. Jessica is also an Art Therapist with a Graduate

Diploma from the Vancouver Art Therapy Ins�tute. She has

done art therapy with adolescents with developmental

disabili�es and with mothers and their toddlers. Jessica

enjoys travelling the world and has recently returned from a

trip to Western Africa. She is looking forward to ge�ng to

know the IDP families.

Treasure baskets:We live in a world where plas�c toys dominate the shelves of

toy shops. While plas�c ra�les may look different, each

smells, tastes and feels the same making them uns�mula�ng

for babies.

Parents o�en ask how they can help their young child develop

and learn. The Infant Development Program has started to

learn about/promote the concept of Treasure Baskets,

originally developed by Elinor Goldschmeid in the 1980s. A

treasure basket is a shallow, sturdy basket containing a

collec�on of everyday items, few or none of which are plas�c.

Most of the objects are in everyday use by adults and are

made of natural materials. The items vary in weight, size,

texture, color, taste, temperature and sound. The use of

treasure baskets promote heuris�c play – which describes the

ac�vity of babies and children as they play with and explore

the proper�es of objects in the 'real world'. Heuris�c play

s�mulates all of the babies' senses, crea�ng a rich learning

experience.

The treasure basket can be used with babies from the �me

they can sit unsupported un�l around 16-18 months. The

basket itself should be a low sided round basket filled with the

'real world' objects. It is through handing and exploring these

objects that a baby develops contact with the outside world,

and begins to make their own choices and decisions.

Items in a treasure basket: Some items that could be used in a

treasure basket include: spoons, a lemon, clothes pins, paint

brush, pumice stone, leather purse, bells, empty boxes

(objects that are natural, metal, leather, paper, brushes or

wooden). Parents should introduce new items gradually, this

way a child can find their favorite objects and no�ce when

something new is presented. Aim for variety!

For the treasure basket to be an effec�ve tool in the play and

development of babies, parents and caregivers need to

provide a relaxed atmosphere and be available to the child

during their play and explora�on. The adult's role is to sit near

by and be a�en�ve, responsive and unobtrusive. Babies need

to explore the baskets at their own pace without being shown

things and 'how' to use them. There is no right or wrong way to

explore or use the materials. The baby needs to be able to

make their own choices about which objects they are going to

pick up and how they are going to explore them without

interference.

To be safe, ensure that the basket is strong, durable and

without jagged edges. Objects should be washable,

disposable and replaceable. If an item is painted or varnished,

be sure it is non-toxic and ensure that the objects are large

enough so that the child will not choke.

“Babies given safe, s�mula�ng and suppor�ve opportuni�es

will use their senses to learn about objects they encounter. In

doing so the will enter into a world of discovery, puzzlement,

social encounter and communica�on…As babies suck, grasp,

touch and feel objects they rehearse behaviors which foster

their earliest learning.” (Goldschmied, 1989).

Heuris�c play part I - The treasure basket: Li�le acorns to

mighty oaks. (n.d.). Li�le Acorns to Mighty Oaks. Retrieved

April 10, 2013, from

h�p://www.li�leacornstomightyoaks.co.uk/ar�cles

Star�ng point: Treasure baskets. (2012). Na�onal Blind Children's Society . Retrieved April 10, 2013, from h�p://www.nbcs.org.uk/star�ngpoint/treasure-baskets/747

Bergan Rosebush, IDP Consultant

Infant Development

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 11

Thank you:

RSCL and the Infant Development Program would

also like to thank Green Shield Canada and the United

Way of the Lower Mainland for generously

suppor�ng our parent par�cipa�on programs in

2012/13. The grants received have made it possible

for us to run our weekly Playgroup where parents can

meet each other and ask ques�ons for visi�ng

professionals.

IDP also ran three sessions of “You Make the

Difference”, an educa�on program for parents and

children that focus on helping parents learn how to

foster and enrich their child's social, language and

literacy development. One session of “You Make the

Difference” was in partnership with Touchstone

Family Associa�on's CAP-C program offered in

Mandarin. This spring we were also able to provide

infant massage classes for parents to learn the

strokes and benefits of massage and nurturing touch.

Marla

I am happy because I have a nice place to live and I to go to my program – Quantum. I have a lot of friends and

I like the staff.

I volunteer for seniors, eat healthy meals and enjoy music.

I also work for Richmond HandyCrew Cooperative. We are the best workers

and team players.

In May, Melody Edgars took her annual Alaskan cruise vacation, along with key worker Gullali Sediqi. Melody had a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying the natural scenery from the ship.

Discover the Possibili�es

Almost everyone knows yoga makes you feel good. When you leave a yoga class, you come out feeling stretched, relaxed, and have a clear head. We also know that yoga is done mostly in group se�ngs and is rarely accessible for people with special needs. That is a real shame, especially when the benefits of yoga apply to everyone regardless of age, physical & mental ability, diagnosis, etc.

It is a universal truth that the human body is meant to move. We feel be�er when we move in certain ways! A�er a long day at work, I know my body feels be�er if I go for a walk and do a gentle yoga prac�ce. This usually results in an improved mood as well. My head is clear, I can be more focused on everyday tasks, and I have less stress. I have even gained strength and flexibility in certain areas that I never thought possible.

What would it be like if a person with special needs could have that experience as well? Is more focus possible? Be�er mood? Less stress and anxiety? Feeling good in their body? Moving in new ways? Less pain? Absolutely!

People with special needs were born with a nervous system that may have some disconnec�ons. Certain movements are difficult or not tolerated at all. Perhaps walking is not possible, maybe verbal communica�on is challenging, simple func�ons are challenging, etc. What we now know about the brain is that it has the poten�al to change and learn new things. It has been demonstrated that disconnec�ons in the brain can become connected when challenged in the right way, and func�ons can be learned, or re-learned in the case of trauma�c injury.

Knowing this, I get excited about the poten�al that can be unlocked for people with repeated exposure to appropriate movement and stretching with a therapeu�c yoga prac�ce. We can help people with special needs feel as good as we feel a�er a yoga class, AND we can also help some of the disconnec�ons to become connected - new movement can be learned, focus and a�en�on can improve, pain levels can be relieved.

Think of the possibili�es if a child that couldn't ini�ally even talk, could move their arms to communicate. Or have a clear head to get the words out. Or have less pain in their body so they could have the a�en�on, focus, and energy to par�cipate. Think of the possibili�es if a child who would wake up every 2 hours in pain, gained the strength and ability to turn herself over in bed and can now sleep through the night, going to school ready to learn. Or the child who could not sit in her wheelchair due to back pain is now able to sit for hours, is learning to stand without pain, and can now interact with her peers. I've seen it happen and it is totally possible.

These people have wonderful gi�s, which can be missed due to s�ffness, pain, & strain. If you are interested in exploring the possibili�es for your child or yourself, give me a call. Remember, it is possible.

Robyn Emde, Occupa�onal Therapist & Yoga Therapist

www.yogabilitytherapy.com

778-989-3847

Robyn Emde is am Occupa�onal Therapist & Yoga Therapist who works with our

Supported Child Development Team and has offered lunch�me yoga to staff at RSCL

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 12

RSCL and McDonald's restaurants

In the past couple of years, Earleeray Holdings Inc has

become increasingly involved with RSCL. You might not

recognize the company name, but you'll probably recognize

their presence in the community. Earleeray Holdings Inc,

owned by Bob and Chris�ne Campbell, operate four

McDonald's restaurants in Richmond (loca�ons include

Alderbridge Way, Blundell Centre (No 2 Rd), Steveston and

Ironwood Plaza).

For the past three years, RSCL staff have par�cipated in thMcHappy Day. On Wednesday, May 8 SCDP Consultant

Susan Garcia-Wong and Employment Specialist Suzanne

Jackson joined Lisa Cowell, Manager Fund and Community

Development to sell “smiles”, pour coffee and even

assemble Big Macs to help raise money and awareness for

www.rscl.org

the construc�on of the new Ronald McDonald House in

Vancouver.

RSCL staff was keen to par�cipate due to the support Bob

and Chris have shown for RSCL efforts to raise awareness

about the importance of community inclusion for people

with disabili�es. An employer through our Youth

Employment Program, they support our mission of seeing

beyond disability to ability.

They are both ac�ve in the community and believe in giving

back. Beginning on June 1, the spare change collected in the

coin boxes at all four loca�ons will be donated to RSCL in

support of our Lending Library. Next �me you are visi�ng

McDonald's, spare some change. It's for a good cause!

Virginia Chiu has been volunteering with the

Richmond Supported Child Development

Program (SCDP) since June 2012.

V i rg in ia first star ted work ing as a

Behavioural Interven�onist in 2007

providing behavioural therapy for children

with au�sm. Besides receiving her BA

Psychology from UBC and her Behaviour

Analysis Cer�ficate program at University of North

Texas, Virginia also completed the Diploma program

for Infant Development Program/Supported Child

Care at UBC. Virginia came to the Richmond SCDP to

gain more experience in the field and to help those in

need.

Volunteering has given her a be�er understanding of

the SCDP program and it has helped the consultants

with having an extra pair of hands once a week.

Virginia speaks Cantonese fluently and

can also speak Mandarin which has been

a very strong asset when working with

SCDP families. Virginia has been more

than generous with her �me when it

comes to contac�ng families that we

support who have limited English,

without her help, communica�on can be

difficult. She has done numerous joint

visits to families homes and Virginia is always

available when needed outside her once a week

scheduled volunteering.

Richmond Supported Child Development

Program and Richmond Society for Community

Living would to thank Virginia for volunteering

her �me and energy.

Susan Garcia-Wong, SCDP Consultant

RSCL Volunteer - greatly benefit the work we do

'No duty is more urgent than that of

returning thanks'.

~James Allen.

'The smallest

act of

kindness

is worth

more than

the grandest

inten�on.

~ Oscar Wilde

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 13

The first thing you no�ce when you enter Dino Mites Preschool is how big and bright the classroom is. Tables and centres have been set up with interes�ng ac�vi�es, encouraging the children to move around with plenty of space to explore. The teachers are welcoming and ensure the children transi�on comfortably when they arrive; gree�ng parents and helping with goodbyes. They remain engaged with the children facilita�ng, teaching and playing together.

This has been the rhythm at Dino Mites Preschool for more than 15 years and was my first impression when I made my ini�al visit to the program last spring. Located on the corner of Francis and No. 1 Road in St. Anne's Church, this is a neighborhood preschool that is clearly well loved by the families who a�end.

When SCDP consultants work with a child care se�ng it is not only about suppor�ng the child in the centre, it is also about building a respec�ul rela�onship with the teachers who work there. This is especially true the first �me the centre welcomes a child with addi�onal support needs. Last Fall Dino Mites enrolled a child with significant support needs and began a new rela�onship with me and with RSCL Supported Child Development Program.

Knowing that this was going to create a new dynamic at the centre with frequent visits with healthcare professionals, consultants and mee�ngs, I arranged a mee�ng with the family and as many of the early interven�on team members as possible. This also allowed the staff to get to know the child who would be part of their centre for the next 2 years. Without hesita�on the Dino Mites team - Sue Hunt, Marian Durrant, Tricia Booker and Carmen Lam – has welcomed the family, therapists, healthcare professionals, SCDP consultants and even the media into their centre for what has most definitely become a busy and dynamic preschool year.

When asked about their experience having a child with extra support needs in their centre, Sue responded, “Before this we didn't know any different, it [has been] invigora�ng and sparked a challenge in our program”. This centre has welcomed each visitor, carefully listening to feedback and sugges�ons. Staff offer encouragement to the family and ensure they are available for mee�ngs, even staying a�er hours to par�cipate. As they have become more comfortable with the support needs of the child, they have suggested their own adapta�ons and materials to ensure that he is included in every way possible. They love sharing his successes with us all, “He is on the ball and keeps up with what he is capable of and what he knows…he keeps us on our toes!”

It has been such a pleasure working with the Dino Mites team. I have enjoyed ge�ng to know them and being able to watch them grow and share the experience of teaching and suppor�ng this young child. The experience has been inclusion at its best and I am confident that the partnership with Supported Child Development Program will con�nue for many years.

Margret Hanke, SCDP Consultant

Changing the world one child at a �me…

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 14

RSCL would like to thank Safe and Sound Security Systems Ltd and

owner Doug Fraser who sponsored a charity soccer match

benefi�ng RSCL on Saturday, April 6 at Sportstown Sports th

Complex in Richmond. The event included a post-match pub night,

raising $1,500 which was topped up to an even $2,000 by Fraser.

Many thanks for your support. We hope we can count on you again

next year!

Your organization has been a vital partner in the Richmond Public Library's success. Together we have offered an impressive variety of programs that have engaged, informed, and assisted the residents of Richmond and now we're looking to accomplish even more.

To answer the question of how Richmond visualizes the library of the future, we've put together a new website where people - both library users and non-users - can provide feedback on how to improve the library, offer opinions, upload photos, and more: www.yourfuturelibrary.ca

Because of the support and enthusiastic participation of your organization, your involvement in publicizing the website will be essential to gathering meaningful input from the Richmond community. If you would like to assist us in this process, please feel free to share the link to our new site in your newsletter, emails, or on your website, and use the attached images and social media posts as you see fit.

The more feedback we get, the more successful we will be. The Richmond Public Library belongs to the entire Richmond community and everyone deserves to have their say. Let's build a better library together!

If you would like to learn more about our public consultation, please do not hesitate to email us at future@yourlibrary.ca or call us at 604-231-6422.

Sincerely,

Richmond Public Library

RSCL VIEWS Summer 2013 pg 15

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Annual Family PicnicThursday August 15, 2013King George Park4-7pmCome dressed as your favourite Superhero!

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THURSDAY August 15, 20134-7pmKing George Park4100 No. 5 Road, Richmond

Games Prizes BBQ Friendsand a whole lot of fun!

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