Dates to Remember
G.R.O.W. will be closed:
- September 2nd – Labour Day
- September 30th & October 1st – Rosh Hashanah
- October 9th – Yom Kippur
- October 14th – Thanksgiving Day
- November 11th – Remembrance Day
- December 25th to January 1st (Back on January 2nd)
Tuesday 3pm Closures:
- Tuesday, September 3rd
- Tuesday, September 17th
- Tuesday, October 15th
- Tuesday, October 29th
- Tuesday, November 12th
- Tuesday, November 26th
- Tuesday, December 10th
Disability Vote Matters
Disability Matters Vote (DMVote) is a non-partisan public awareness campaign. This campaign is a joint initiative of Abilities Manitoba and Barrier Free Manitoba, but this campaign is all about YOU.
Your support will help us reach these three goals:
- To ensure all Manitobans with disabilities can participate fully in election activities and those who are eligible to vote can do so.
- To promote priority attention for disability issues in the provincial election.
- To support Manitobans in making informed voting decisions
One of the primary goals of DMVote is to raise issues that are most important to the quality of life and human rights of people with disabilities in Manitoba and to ask the political parties and candidates to provide clear positions and commitments. Based on discussions with thousands of Manitobans over the last few years, and feedback from our survey, DMVote has selected the five key issues to highlight in the Manitoba provincial election.
- Dignified income for people with profound, long-term disabilities
- Timely access to services
- A fully accessible Manitoba
- Fair wages for Direct Support Professionals
- Unleashing employment potential
G.R.O.W. Day Program
Where to GROW from Here
In 2017, G.R.O.W. and local musician Lindsey White, were the recipients of a Winnipeg Arts Council’s WITH ART public art grant. Over the past two years, Lindsey White worked alongside G.R.O.W. participants to write, record, and perform a collection of songs. The group wrote and recorded four original numbers at Bedside Studio: Elevator to Nowhere, Gravity, To Begin Again, and the instrumental song, Atmosphere. On June 19th, 2019, G.R.O.W. released Where to Grow from Here with a performance at the Berney Theatre.
Check out the "Where to GROW From Here" or the following links to download our album from ReverbNation, and to watch our Elevator to Nowhere music video on YouTube.
Specialty Groups
In addition to our life skills curriculum, the day program participants spent the summer learning more about their special interests. Participants divided into three groups based on their interests in golf, cooking and sports. Throughout the summer, the groups met one afternoon a week and explored their chosen areas of interest
The golf group received private lessons at the Tuxedo Golf Course from instructor Jim Steep, and finished off the summer with two games of golf and participated in a golf tournament. The sports group both practiced and learnt the rules of lawn bowling, archery, baseball, basketball, soccer baseball, and bowling. Our cooking group treated the program with homemade pretzels, pesto, cinnamon buns, and jam.
GROWL Dog Treats
GROWL Dog treats continue to be available for order at our G.R.O.W. offices, as well as at the following retailers: Scrap Came Back, Hip Pooch, Humane Society, and Baked Expectations. Small bags (approximately 15 to 18 treats) of Peanut Butter & Pumpkin, and Apple Cheddar are available for $5. We take special orders for large bags of 90 treats at $25.
Our next event is Paws for the Season on December 1st from 12pm to 4pm at the Humane Society.
Keep an eye on our social media to see our pop up events over the next few months!
Manitoba Marathon
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 2019 Manitoba Marathon! We had great weather and saw some personal bests from our participants and staff!
Great-West Life 5km Walk – Allie Klowak, Adam Milne, Erica O’Brien-Klewchuk, & Mikhail Cheater
Great-West Life Super Run – Rachel Nickel & Megan Peterson
GoodLife Fitness 10km Run – Jordan Lazareck, Matthew Loewen, Ade Olorundare, Emilie Britton, & Camille Ushy
B’nai Brith Camp
This summer participants from the day program returned to BB Camp, located in Kenora, Ontario. Participants spent three days and two nights at the camp and took part in rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, and campfires. Thank you so much to the wonderful staff at BB Camp for making it a memorable weekend! We look forward to returning next summer!
G.R.O.W. Vocation
Parian Logistics
In April of this year, Parian Logistics, a Canadian warehousing and distribution provider, created a partnership with G.R.O.W. They have played an important role in assisting and expanding the employment prospects for our participants. Their proactive approach and commitment to inclusive employment has offered our G.R.O.W. team a few vocational opportunities. Matthew has worked as an employee since June of this year.
Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) in Manitoba. We continue to seek vocational placements for our participants. If you are aware of any potential employment opportunities, please let us know. G.R.O.W. appreciates the organizations who have hired our participants and created a supportive and inclusive environment for success - Thank you!
Feel free to contact Lucy, our Vocational Coordinator, at lbotelho@growourway.ca for any inquiries related to vocation.
G.R.O.W. in Gimli Program
We cannot believe all the learning, fun, and friendships that were made during the three sessions at Gimli. Participants had the opportunity to work on personal goals, learn new skills, cook for others, and explore what many activities Gimli has to offer in the summer. We have been fortunate to be around for activities such as Canada Day festivities, Gimli Film Festival Gimli Farmers Markets, and the Icelandic Festival.
Gimli Staff
- Natalie Johnson, Gimli Supervisor
- Alexandra Rea, Gimli Facilitator
- Jennifer Caryk, Gimli Facilitator
- Jess Martens, MOT2 Student Session 1 & 2
- Tess Rowson, MOT2 Student Session 3
G.R.O.W. Outreach Program
We have finished up our outreach for the summer months. Outreach participants were able to experience new activities such as Activate Gaming Experience, a Goldeye’s Game, Grand Prix and had a backyard movie and BBQ to wrap up the session. We will be taking the month of September off from Outreach but look forward to seeing you all in October! Contact Camille at cushy@growourway.ca with any questions!
Fall Session Dates:
- Saturday, October 5th
- Saturday, October 19th
- Saturday, November 2nd
- Saturday, November 23rd
- Saturday, December 7th
- Saturday, December 21st
Supported Independent Living
G.R.O.W. continues to support six participants who are living independently in the community. Thank you to all of our SIL facilitators who work hard to support these participants. Please contact Megan at mpeterson@growourway.ca if you are interested in learning more about SIL or would like to get involved.
Since starting G.R.O.W. SIL, it has allowed me to become more independent. I have been able to meal plan, go grocery shopping, and on fun community outings with little help from staff. I am also able to do self-care at home now without any assistance!
Dusty Leipsic
G.R.O.W Day Program Participant
Incoming SIL Facilitators
- Janelle Fontaine, MOT2 Student
- Derek Freier, MOT2 Student
If you would like to include anything in the next quarterly newsletter, please feel free to send a write up or pictures of any adventures you may want to share!