Look Inside for Information on Financial Planning, the Links Program, Great News and More!
ENHANCING POSSIBILITIES - EMPOWERING LIVES
BE - Informed - BE- Involved
Opportunities to Learn, Connect, Collaborate & Build Community
On behalf of our board, staff, volunteers and most of all the people and families we are here to serve, we want to thank you for participating in our first Bid for Belonging Auction.
Together we raised $1050 towards ending social isolation for youth and adults living with disabilities and their families.
To reduce social isolation and create belonging for people with disabilities and their families in Waterloo Region.
We would like to thank all of our bidders and sponsors who contributed to the SUCCESS of Bid for Belonging. Our FABULOUS sponsors include: Adventure Guide, The Busy Hands Quilting Guild of Cambridge, Control Hair, Distinctly Patio, Event Depot, Galt Massage Therapy, Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Hilltop Acres Poultry Products, The Inn of Waterloo, Northfield Pharmacy, Stevanus Family Farm, Sobeys Lorna Aberdein, Monica Burrow, Sue Furey, Ralph Heinrichs, Brenda Pearce, Lauren Pink, Verlyn Rowett, Dian Shannon, and Sandy Shamon. We COULD NOT have done this without you!
If you were unable to participate in the auction, and wish to donate instead please click the Donate Now Button below.
Belonging is a fundamental human need, so why not at work? At Bridges to Belonging we are intentional about creating a culture of belonging, where everyone feels valued, respected, appreciated, and accepted regardless of role or responsibilities. We are all people first!
If you are passionate about youth and adults with disabilities living the life they choose, supported by their families, and surrounded by a community of belonging, we invite you to consider joining our dynamic team of Independent Facilitators.
As an Independent Facilitator, you will affirm the inherent dignity and rights of the people you work with as you “walk with them” and their family to create plans, set goals, explore possibilities and achieve their desires to actively participate as a citizen in their community; build a network of unpaid support; be empowered to express their gifts; overcome social isolation; live free of barriers to inclusion, and find a sense of belonging.
If you are creative and resilient and enjoy working with people in complex and dynamic situations using a grassroots approach; can work well independently and as part of a team; capable of deeply listening to the needs and wants of others; can take direction from the people you are in-service to; understand the balance of power as it relates to vulnerable populations; are gifted with superior relationship development, interpersonal, communication and networking skills; have an excellent knowledge of community-based resources in Waterloo Region, and share our vision for “Communities where people of all abilities belong and are connected through meaningful relationships," we invite you to submit your resume with a cover letter telling us about your gifts and the reason you want to be an Independent Facilitator with Bridges to Belonging to: info@bridgestobelonging.ca
Announcing - LINKS "for youth by youth"
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative for youth experiencing social isolation and barriers to inclusion who self identify as living with a disability or dual diagnosis.
Thanks to funding from the Lyle Hallman Foundation for the Resilience Project, Bridges to Belonging is launching Phase 1 of LINKS for youth ages 14 to 24 beginning in September.
Phase 1 is a series of five virtual workshops over a 5-week period offering a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and community connection via ZOOM. Each youth can have one or two people who they are in a meaningful relationship with and who know them well (parent/guardian, sibling, other relatives/extended family member, friend, neighbour teacher, coach or other community members) participate with them to learn, grow, and build a network of support.
Participants will need access to a computer, laptop or tablet equipped with speakers and a good microphone (or headset); a built-in or external HD webcam and availability of a stable internet connection.
At Bridges to Belonging, we walk alongside individuals with disabilities and their families to have the life they both now and in the future. Future planning is an important element of ensuring a safe and secure future for a loved one with a disability including having Registered Disability Saving Plans (RDSPs).
For more extensive information about the RDSP, please visit PLAN Institute in BC's website. Plan Institute also provides a Hotline to your answer questions about the Disability Tax Credit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan, trusts & estate planning, advocacy approaches, government benefit programs, social network building and more: 1-844-311-7526.
BE-Inspired - Celebrating People, Gifts & Stories
Congratulations Natalie!
This beautiful photograph 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 by Natalie Stevanus earned her the Judges’ Choice Award in the UK Down’s Syndrome Associations' international photography competition “My Perspective." We could not be happier for you Natalie! In a press release about the contest Natalie said: “I like how my photography brings joy to others. When people admire my pictures, it inspires me to take more.” Keep taking them, Natalie! We’ll keep loving them!
Help Improve the ODSP Application Process and you could get a $60 gift card.
The Government of Ontario's Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is making it easier to apply for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). We’d like your feedback to make sure the application process works for clients at every step.
Come and hangout with us. Our virtual space where people are connecting and making new friends is full swing with new people joining in every week. There is no commitment, come and stay as long as you want, participate as much as you are comfortable and you can even turn off your video if you prefer.
BE-Connected is a safe space for people to meet, share in some conversation and hopefully make some new friends.
We would love to have you come and hang out with us. We are online every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Use this ZOOM link to Join our BE-Connected Virtual Hangout .
Support for Families and Caregivers
The Sibling Collaborative is a peer support of adults with a sibling(s) living with a disability. The group meets to build a network of peer support, deepen their understanding of the sibling experience and advocate for change for their families and their communities. If you are a sibling of a person with a disability you may wish to visit their website.
Learn more aboutThe Sibling Collaborative
Service Canada Presents: Update & Questions session for People With Disabilities (monthly session)
First Thursday of every month, 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. EST
Updates and Question Period on Employment Insurance sickness and other special
benefits, Canada Pension Plan Disabilities Benefits, Canada Emergency Response
Benefit and other new measures at Service Canada amid the pandemic
Teleconference Information:
Call in 15 minutes prior, toll-free number: 1-877-413-4790
Attendee access code: 8159277 Use this link to view the presentation live from your computer,
Meeting Number: 164 395 3157
Meeting Password: service
CERB Canada Emergency Response Benefit: Taxable benefit of $2,000/month ($500/week) for up to 24 weeks for workers who have stopped working due to COVID-19 – 15 March to 3 October 2020. ODSP recipients who were also employed will have their ODSP offset but exceeds maximum ODSP by $831 for 4 months. In order to keep receiving CERB, you must reapply each month.
IMPORTANT NEW FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Members of Parliament have voted in favour of a one time tax free, non-reportable payment of $600 to those with disabilities and their families to help navigate the financial challenges of COVID-19. Learn more about who will qualify and how it will be distributed here: https://bit.ly/3g24hi8
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, RESOURCES, SUPPORTS AND SERVICES Information on COVID-19 testing centres Click on the city where you live to find the your nearest testing centre.
Thank you to all of our donors, sponsors, funders, collaborators, affiliates, allies and community for generously supporting people with disabilities to have the life they want with a sense of belonging in community and their families to enjoy peace of mind. WE ARE #Stronger Together
