Richmond Society for Community Living 604-279-7040 | …

1 RSCL VIEWSS pring 2016 Richmond Society for Community LivingRichmond Society for Community Living170 - 7000 Minoru Blvd, Richmond BC V6Y 3Z5604-279-7040 | | this issue:possibilitiesbene t a communityaffairof2015 Family Resource ProgramHoliday Par es 2015 Yes! Youth Evening SocialRSCL Board of Directors 2015-2016 Community Living Benefits us all! - Message from the EDBusy Days at TreehouseValue Village Dona on Bin ProgramKindness Commi ee coordinates Food DrivePeer AwarenessI am pleased and honoured to once again serve as president of the Board of Directors for RSCL. Since my return I have found that the adage the more things change, the more they stay the same holds true for RSCL. Staff have changed, new programs have started, staff are playing musical chairs with offices, new contracts, new self-advocats.

2 Change is constant. But no ma er what, the staff's commitment and dedica on is unwavering. That always stays the same. At every func on I a end I am gra fied at the level of the staff and the professionalism they have. I have been at informal barbeques and picnics, fundraisers, and more formal mee ngs. Every event reminds me how lucky my daughter is to be affiliated with RSCL and how lucky I am to volunteer with the board and other commi ees and to be a part of this organiza on. I want to thank the staff for all their efforts. I also would like to thank the past board members who have just finished their terms, we are apprecia ve of your me and exper se, and the present board members who give of their me and help me run this stellar organiza on. I will con nue to take pride in my Arnis, Board PresidentBoard of Directors 2015-2016 RSCL s Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers dedicated to our mission and ArnisParent, Richmond School District Educa onal Assistant, Returning RSCL Board MemberLynne ParkesParent, Richmond School District Educa onal AssistantLorraine ShikazeParent, Richmond HandyCrew Coopera ve Board Member, Returning RSCL Board MemberJim ThomsonParent, Pilot, Returning RSCL Board MemberSally Mar nRe red Social Worker, Richmond HandyCrew Coopera ve Board Member, Returning RSCL Board MemberRosemary LoveRe red College Instructor, Returning RSCL Board MemberCindy McPhersonParent, EntrepreneurCoulson HoogveldSelf-advocate, City of Richmond employeeKaren RobsonParent.

3 Former Dea lind Services Society Board MemberEllen FaustmanFormer Director of Interven on Programs at Dea lind Services Society , Former Dea lind Services Society Board MemberMac McCallumFounding member of RSCL, Re red entrepreneurSanjeet RanaPor olio Manager at Vancitythe more things change, the more they stay the sameO en when I sit down to write my contribu on to the newsle er I have already formulated in my mind what I will write. Not this me! Certainly, my lack of inspira on regarding what to write had nothing to do with a lack of events, ac vi es, changes or good things happening at RSCL. Quite the contrary, o en there are so many good things happening at RSCL it is hard to decide what to include. However, this me I took my inspira on from the number of Community partners, friends of RSCL and companies that are represented in the newsle er.

4 Whether it is contribu ng to or a ending one of our events, dropping off clothing at one of our dona on bins, hiring a person with a disability or volunteering, each contribu on makes a difference to people with a disability and the Community at large. I am frequently asked why RSCL doesn't serve individuals and families outside of Richmond . The answer is quite simple; our mission is to help the people with a disability become included and involved in their Community as well as provide service. As an organiza on, we need to be a part of the Community in order to help the people we serve become connected and included in their Community . If RSCL is spread over many communi es providing service, we have less energy and resources to develop our connec ons and rela onships in the Community . For RSCL, suppor ng people with a developmental disability and their families has never just been about providing services.

5 It is about providing services in a well-connected, inclusive Community that we have helped to develop. And, a well-connected, suppor ve and accep ng Community benefits us all. Community Living improves everyday life for everyone Living in Richmond . This newsle er is a wonderful example of the ways in which our Community helps to fulling the larger mission of RSCL and the dreams of the people we support. Enjoy!Janice Barr, Execu ve DirectorCommunity Living Benefits Us All!RSCL Views page 2 Busy Days at Treehouse!Over the last few months the children have been very busy in our program. We learned about different cultural celebra ons and tradi ons including Diwali, Dia de Los Muertos, and our annual Mul cultural Potluck lunch in November. We also had our annual holiday celebra on party in December with a special visit from are off to a good start with the Seeds of Empathy program this year and the children have been enjoying ge ng to know baby Suvi and her mother Eveliina over the last several months.

6 The family visits that happen every three weeks give the children a chance to connect with Suvi, to observe her development, and label her feelings. In this way the baby is the "teacher", which the Family Guide uses to help children iden fy and reflect on their own feelings and the feelings of others. We are always excited to see the many changes in Suvi as she grows and learns new ways to connect with her mommy and the world around her. In January we hosted an evening parent social which had a great turnout and was enjoyed by everyone. It was a fun evening and a nice way for our families to connect and get to know each other a li le bit be er. As we start the new year we look forward to more learning together with our special celebra ons and fun ac vi es that include Pyjama Day, Valen nes Day, and our Chinese New Year party & s r fry lunch!

7 Lori MountainTreehouse SupervisorDID YOU KNOW?RSCL has a Family Resource Program?The Family Resource Program provides informa on about supports and services available both locally and provincially for individuals with developmental disabili es and their families. Funded wholly by dona ons and grants from the City of Richmond and BC Gaming Commission (Direct Access), the Family Resource Program aims to assist families through periods of transi on that are not limited to mes of crisis. The program provides family-to-family networking, training and informa on sessions for family members and individuals with a developmental disability in the Community , as well as opportuni es for parents to share their experiences and important informa on with the coming months, RSCL will partner with partner agencies to offer the following workshops for families:On March 24, the Family Support Ins tute is coming to do a presenta on on Representa on Agreements.

8 Caring Place room 3406:00-8:00 pm On April 26, PLAN is coming to discuss Wills and Estate Planning. Caring Place room 3406:30 9pmFor more informa on about the RSCL Family Resource Program, please contact Sarah Scully604-219-3411 or Views page 3 Adult Services Holiday Party 2015 Everyone was excited to purchase their ckets and celebrate the holiday season together. Everybody found their table and began to mingle. It was nice to see old friends and meet new friends. Some people came with a friend or friends, and some people came by themselves. Although the food was great, some people waited a long me for it to be served. A er dinner was served, people were wai ng for dessert, yet we wanted to get the party started. We thought we would get grooving to the music and dance with everyone! Estephan got the party started when he jumped up on stage and started dancing.

9 He was so happy that he made everyone in the room happy. Our DJ, Chris had a great selec on of popular music. We had a great me. It was fun to see all different people dancing with each other. We danced un l the very end, un l it was me to go home. We had such a great me that we decided that we want to have another dance - maybe in the spring or summer. One year is too long to wait for such a fun me! Paige, Marni and Linus Children Services Holiday Party 2015 November 28, marked RSCL Children's Services' 21st annual holiday party at the South Arm Community Centre. Our theme was Santa's Vaca on and the gym was decorated like a tropical luau with a seasonal twist. RSCL families enjoyed cra s, face-pain ng, a beach themed play area, and more. A visit from Santa was the highlight of the a ernoon. Santa, wearing his sandals and Hawaiian shirt, had his photo taken with many of the eager special thank you to our generous donors who helped make this year's party memorable for everyone.

10 Thank you to Imperial Landing Starbucks for much appreciated coffee and hot chocolate; to Market Crossing Tim Hortons for their tasty Timbits; and to Richmond Superstore for a variety of delicious snacks and Tuesday, November 10 RSCL hosted a record-se ng Benefit of Possibili Community Affair at the Pacific Gateway Hotel. Our Great Gatsby themed event featured a gourmet dinner, live entertainment,a unique silent auc on featuring baskets contributed by all of RSCL's programs, and an exci ng live auc on. During the evening, we awarded our Community Living Awards to Thompson Community Associa on ( Community Partner), ADESA Auto Auc on Richmond (Corporate Partner), Emily Lee (Outstanding Individual) and Board of Directors Past President Tanis Reimer (Outstanding Contribu on).We are grateful to our Community partners who helped to make the evening a success.