Welcoming Summer
While winter seemed to linger, we are finally getting those +20 degree days. We have been enjoying spring so far and welcome summer here at G.R.O.W.
We have missed our backyard breaks and walks in the community!
Dates to Remember
G.R.O.W. will be CLOSED the following days:
- May 22, 2023
- July 3, 2023 (In lieu of Canada Day)
- August 7, 2023
Day Program
STAFF/PARTICIPANT UPDATES
In March, Ami Savio joined our team as a day program facilitator. We are happy to have you!
At the end of April, we said our good-byes to Anna Vaslavskiy. She will be travelling Israel and Europe this summer, and is hoping to get into the O.T. program this fall. Good luck!
Starting in May, Patrick Mart joined our team. He will be spending these next few months getting to know G.R.O.W. before he heads to Gimli this summer to be the Gimli head.
DAY PROGRAM UPDATES
Book Club:
We have almost finished reading the book "Charlotte's Web" as a group. Afterwards we will get to watch the movie here at G.R.O.W. before switching back to Lyric Club!
Art Hive:
Michaela has been fostering creativity with our participants. Michaela has been leading 1-1 sessions as well as group sessions. Recently, they have been discussing how listening to music, including the genre, tempo and time of day can affect your mood. Michaela will be continuing her practicum with us through to the fall.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Participants have brainstormed some ideas of enrichment activities they would like to try out this summer. Some of the ideas include:
- Sports Club
- Arts & Crafts Club
- Photography Club
- Baking
- Geocaching
- Music Club
- Golfing
- Yoga
And many more!
We look forward to taking these ideas and connecting with local programs/clubs within Winnipeg, as well as creating our own!
Outreach
Upcoming Outreach dates:
- May 27th - Winnipeg Trolley Private Bus Tour
- June 10th - Indoor/Outdoor Team Scavenger Hunt & Potluck
- June 24th - Winnipeg Goldeyes Game
- July 6th - Activity T.B.D.
- July 20th - Activity TBD
- August 10th - Activity TBD
- August 24th - Activity TBD
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please ensure transportation arrangements to and from Outreach activities are planned beforehand!
FRIDAY OUTINGS
Some of G.R.O.W.'s most recent Friday Community Outings have included:
- Canadian Museum for Human Rights
- Champions Movie
- GROWS Got Talent Show
- Flying Squirrel
- The Forks
- Escape Room
- BBQ lunch fundraiser and Outlet Mall
DID YOU KNOW...
A number of our G.R.O.W. participants were in the Champions movie filmed in Winnipeg with Woody Harrelson!
Day Program Continued
VOCATION/VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS
Since starting in January, our Vocation Coordinator (Chris Marchand) has assisted many participants in getting job and volunteer placements.
Some of these placements include Safeway, The Winnipeg Humane Society, Windsor Plywood, Kaufman Silverberg Library, M&M Meats, Reading to children at Gray Academy and Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP).
Every Tuesday, Chris leads a vocation focused group work activity.
Chris has also set up opportunities for our participants to tour DASCH. DASCH is a new program in the city that offers vocation preparation and hands-on experience. DASCH offers assistance with exploring potential interests as well as provides job training and support for people with intellectual disabilities.
The five career areas of exploration include:
- Consumer Service
- Business and Marketing
- Processing and Production
- Construction and Industrial
- Computer Technology
G.R.O.W. in Gimli 2023
Summer is just around the corner! That means it is time to pull out the hats, sunscreen and get ready to think about the beach... Gimli Beach that is!
Session dates:
- Sunday, July 2 – Saturday, July 15
- Sunday, July 23 -Saturday August 5
- Sunday, August 13 - Saturday, August 26
We still have 2 spots open. If you know of someone who would be interested please contact Arielle Keith at 204-488-3799 or akeith@growourway.ca
Check out our website for more information on G.R.O.W. in Gimli 2023 including fees and application process.
G.R.O.W. in Gimli Assessment Evening is Wednesday May 17th & Parent Information Evening is Monday June 5th.
In Other News
SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING (S.I.L.)
Amy Tran, one of GROW's S.I.L. Facilitators, is starting a new adventure. She will be moving to British Columbia to pursue Social Work. We wish you all the best and appreciate all you have done for G.R.O.W.
We are currently hiring Supported Independent Living Facilitators!
If you or someone you know is interested in getting more information on S.I.L. opportunities, please contact the G.R.O.W. Day Program Director Camille Ushy at cushy@growourway.ca
POSITION SUMMARY
SIL facilitators provide one-to-one support to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in their homes and the surrounding community. SIL sessions focus on providing assistance in identified areas of need, supporting the individual in meeting self-determined goals and enhancing their overall independent community living skill set.
UPDATES TO DISABILITY INCOME SUPPORTS
Clients who enrol in the Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities program will have access to the same financial, health and other benefits available to EIA clients. The minister also noted that the basic needs amount will be indexed annually to inflation effective April 1, 2023.
Clients enrolled in the program will also receive:
- an assigned financial worker to issue monthly benefits;
- increased benefits of approximately $100 per month;
- laundry and phone allowances automatically added to budgets;
- ability to earn up to $12,000 per year before benefits are impacted; and
- access to health benefits for two years after a file closes.
For more information on the Manitoba Supports for Persons with Disabilities Program and an online portal for submitting documents, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/fs/manitobasupports/index.html