Hello out there!
Let's catch up....
Well, we at the A!TLC have been having a very good time, indeed!
First, can we talk about the whirlwind that was our 2nd Annual Fundraiser? We worked hard in the weeks (ok , months!) leading up to this event - we were so eager to give everyone a wonderful experience! On March 8th, 2014, the wings on our wheels were out in full force - a room filled with excellent people, captivating entertainment, lively fundraising activities, and delicious food. And we did not even mention the dance, hosted by our great Core Members! The dance playlist was selected by our A! Leadership Team....Kaitlyn made darn sure that Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was one of the first songs to play! All in all, we had a fantastic time (Ella: "Kelsey, what was your favorite part of the fundraiser?" Kelsey: "OMG, everything!" )and cannot begin to tell you just how grateful we are for such outstanding community support. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!
Following our fundraiser, things did not slow down at the A!TLC....not by a longshot! We have kept up with a real steady routine (we love our regular book club, To do lists, PATH Wednesdays, Techno Thursdays, AND a little thing called Inclusion Cafe!) and new (and old!) things keep on being added to the mix. In the next few months we will be working with Dr Brenda Rossow-Kimball to prepare a workshop on Inclusive Education for the University of Regina's Centre for Teaching and Learning AND will be delivering our classic Barriers and Enablers presentation in Kin 120 on April 10th! There has also been talk about our Student Researchers assisting one of our volunteers with her end of semester presentation, but we will keep you posted on that! Kennen, Kaitlyn, and Rebekah are excited to be attending a profound workshop, "Discovering the Power in Me", that is being put on by the Canadian Paraplegic Association over three sessions on April 16, 23, & 30. Kelsey and Avery have each attended this workshop in the past and highly recommended it to the rest of the ladies!
That's all for now! We would like to close this blog entry by giving a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Kennen Dorgan for finishing up her job at Grenfell High School on March 28th. Everyone is so excited to celebrate with you, Kennen.
Take good care.
Monday, 24 March 2014
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Cheers to Inclusion Cafe!
Hello out there!
It has been a while since we have blogged and what better time to pick it up again than on location at the Owl for Inclusion Café! A big cheers to that, folks!
We had a nice and relaxing Reading Week break (Feb 17 - 21) but were excited to get back at it! The 25th was a huge day for all A!TLC Student Researchers.... Kennen had a big photo shoot session with her photography mentor, Brenda AND her incredibly talented sister, Tanys! The trio snapped some incredible shots and Kennen learned some valuable tips (like "the rule of three"!). Amazing work.
Meanwhile, the rest of the A!TLC went to represent a the U of R's second annual Poetry Slam. What an experience! We were delighted to be invited, and to be in the presence of some truly remarkable poets. Kelsey really did us proud by reading a classic revenge love poem written by all of us in the A!TLC. She got lots of applause and a few laughs! Awesome.
Wednesday was an extremely productive day of PATH work and marked the welcome return of the lovely Avery Ottenbreit. What a pleasure!!!! We were so happy to see you, Avery.
A lovely face that we have been missing this week has been Rebekah's...we have missed you!!!!! Rest up, stay cozy and feel better soon (kick that cold's butt!). And also, congratulations on becoming an auntie yet again. WOW! Congrats to all Lindenbachs, really!
Today is yet another cold day but we are happy to be nice and warm and together at the Owl. Life is goooooood. Thanks for reading and take care. Next week will be major crunch time for our fundraiser happening NEXT Saturday night - March 8th. OMG Super excited! (there are still a few tickets available if you are interested! check out our website http://www.beingastonished.com/)
It has been a while since we have blogged and what better time to pick it up again than on location at the Owl for Inclusion Café! A big cheers to that, folks!
We had a nice and relaxing Reading Week break (Feb 17 - 21) but were excited to get back at it! The 25th was a huge day for all A!TLC Student Researchers.... Kennen had a big photo shoot session with her photography mentor, Brenda AND her incredibly talented sister, Tanys! The trio snapped some incredible shots and Kennen learned some valuable tips (like "the rule of three"!). Amazing work.
 |
| Tanys and Kennen perfect i-Phone camera and remote - see below for the photo they created! |
Meanwhile, the rest of the A!TLC went to represent a the U of R's second annual Poetry Slam. What an experience! We were delighted to be invited, and to be in the presence of some truly remarkable poets. Kelsey really did us proud by reading a classic revenge love poem written by all of us in the A!TLC. She got lots of applause and a few laughs! Awesome.
Wednesday was an extremely productive day of PATH work and marked the welcome return of the lovely Avery Ottenbreit. What a pleasure!!!! We were so happy to see you, Avery.
A lovely face that we have been missing this week has been Rebekah's...we have missed you!!!!! Rest up, stay cozy and feel better soon (kick that cold's butt!). And also, congratulations on becoming an auntie yet again. WOW! Congrats to all Lindenbachs, really!
 |
| Brenda is so pleased with her portrait by 'sister photographers' Kennen and Tanys |
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
This and that and this!
Hello out there!
Hope that everyone is keeping warm (or doing their very best!)!
Lots to do with our to-do lists....lots of fun things! Rebekah is excited to have some Spanish lessons on her list - to learn at least four words/session with the lovely tutor Silvia (with some help from the wonderful Spanish speaking Gabi!). Kennen is busy searching for some photographic inspiration (and coming up with some great ideas!) and Kelsey and Kaitlyn have some major work to do with their Kin 120 presentation on February 13th. It will come together nicely, we are sure!
Today was filled with PATH work and also some epic tangents - ever wonder how everyone at the A!TLC got their name? We no longer have to! :) And now that we are name experts, Adam and Brit, if you are looking for any suggestions, we are ready for ya!
We also learned that there is a yogabiebs classs offered in Toronto - Yes, this is yoga inspired by the soothing pop hits of Justin Beiber. Thanks, but no thanks. We will have to pass on this one!
This week is a bit of an Inclusion Cafe dry spell....we are caught between the fifth Thursday of January and the first Thursday of February....looking forward to some pub fun next Thursday, February 13th.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Hope that everyone is keeping warm (or doing their very best!)!
Lots to do with our to-do lists....lots of fun things! Rebekah is excited to have some Spanish lessons on her list - to learn at least four words/session with the lovely tutor Silvia (with some help from the wonderful Spanish speaking Gabi!). Kennen is busy searching for some photographic inspiration (and coming up with some great ideas!) and Kelsey and Kaitlyn have some major work to do with their Kin 120 presentation on February 13th. It will come together nicely, we are sure!
Today was filled with PATH work and also some epic tangents - ever wonder how everyone at the A!TLC got their name? We no longer have to! :) And now that we are name experts, Adam and Brit, if you are looking for any suggestions, we are ready for ya!
We also learned that there is a yogabiebs classs offered in Toronto - Yes, this is yoga inspired by the soothing pop hits of Justin Beiber. Thanks, but no thanks. We will have to pass on this one!
This week is a bit of an Inclusion Cafe dry spell....we are caught between the fifth Thursday of January and the first Thursday of February....looking forward to some pub fun next Thursday, February 13th.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Friday, 24 January 2014
Finishing up UN day questions (at last!)
WRITTEN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Hello out there!
We have had a wonderful week at A!TLC and are happy to report that we finally had the chance to finish part two of Kennen's PATH! We have a lot of work ahead and a whole lot to look forward to. The A!TLC crew is so excited to help you reach all those great goals you set, Kennen!
It's that time again! We have an Inclusion Cafe today....rough lives, we know! Rebekah, we will miss you as our server today! BUT before we head down to the pub, Kelsey and our awesome winter 2014 practicum student, Angel are going to teach us a lesson for our Techno Thursday!
And one more thing!
As promised, here are the last of our UN day questions:
What types of programs does Astonished! have?
We offer 4 programs, including this one - The A!TLC....
Here, Astonished! staff work to support each Student Researcher as they each determine and navigate a PATH (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope) unique to them. Here, young adults with complex physical disAbilities are leadersand work with faculty, students, and the wider community in research, learning, and teaching about inclusion.
The Astonished! Social Club:
The Astonished! Social Club is a monthly recreation, leisure, or social gathering for Core-Members, families, and friends. Astonished! contracts with a 5 member team of vibrant young adults with and without complex physical disAbilities to plan and carry out inclusive, social, recreational, and cultural events for young adults with complex physical disAbilities and the wider community. The Social Club offers a wide variety events, such as an upcoming Spa Night on January 31 and Cougar Hockey Games on February 7 & 8!
Communication Technology and Literacy:
Our Communication Technology and Literacy program works to to enhance inclusion opportunities with young adults who do not have easy spoken language.
On June 18th, 2013 we began a summer pilot program to explore the literacy strengths, dreams, and needs of our Astonished! Core Members. This Literacy Program was a great success...and FUN! The Astonished! Team is looking forward to offering this program again in summer 2014.
Mentorship for Employment:
Astonished! is partnering with public funding organizations to support the employment dreams of our core members. Our first initiative was with our Face Book manager, Ryan Ross and we are establishing a process for further mentorship opportunities.
Why did you choose Astonished (to come to the A!TLC)?
"It seemed like the right fit for me".
"The A!TLC tries to give you the foundation you need to help you do the things you want to do".
"It is great to see all of the opportunities that A!TLC can provide me with"
The A!TLC provides programming that aims to be truly individualised.
The content and activities that take place in the A!TLC are age-appropriate and aimed at helping each Student Researcher reach their goals. The A!TLC sees great value in the importance of being social....a chance to go for coffee or to the University pub for Inclusion Café is a vital part of the post-secondary education experience!
For Kennen, Rebekah, and Kelsey - How did you become mentors in SW 479 for the fall 2013 semester?
Kaitlyn led the way! We were all impressed with Kaitlyn's experience as a mentor in fall 2012. Kaitlyn was able to deliver a presentation, make some great friends, and even make a little money in her mentorship role! We were offered the gig by SW 479 prof. Randy Johner . Randy was wonderful and quick to set our minds at ease and make us feel good about being mentors.
Everyone did good work...and a huge shout out goes to Rebekah for going to the front of the class to deliver a presentation for the very first time!
Hello out there!
We have had a wonderful week at A!TLC and are happy to report that we finally had the chance to finish part two of Kennen's PATH! We have a lot of work ahead and a whole lot to look forward to. The A!TLC crew is so excited to help you reach all those great goals you set, Kennen!
It's that time again! We have an Inclusion Cafe today....rough lives, we know! Rebekah, we will miss you as our server today! BUT before we head down to the pub, Kelsey and our awesome winter 2014 practicum student, Angel are going to teach us a lesson for our Techno Thursday!
And one more thing!
As promised, here are the last of our UN day questions:
What types of programs does Astonished! have?
We offer 4 programs, including this one - The A!TLC....
Here, Astonished! staff work to support each Student Researcher as they each determine and navigate a PATH (Planning Alternative Futures with Hope) unique to them. Here, young adults with complex physical disAbilities are leadersand work with faculty, students, and the wider community in research, learning, and teaching about inclusion.
The Astonished! Social Club:
The Astonished! Social Club is a monthly recreation, leisure, or social gathering for Core-Members, families, and friends. Astonished! contracts with a 5 member team of vibrant young adults with and without complex physical disAbilities to plan and carry out inclusive, social, recreational, and cultural events for young adults with complex physical disAbilities and the wider community. The Social Club offers a wide variety events, such as an upcoming Spa Night on January 31 and Cougar Hockey Games on February 7 & 8!
Communication Technology and Literacy:
Our Communication Technology and Literacy program works to to enhance inclusion opportunities with young adults who do not have easy spoken language.
On June 18th, 2013 we began a summer pilot program to explore the literacy strengths, dreams, and needs of our Astonished! Core Members. This Literacy Program was a great success...and FUN! The Astonished! Team is looking forward to offering this program again in summer 2014.
Mentorship for Employment:
Astonished! is partnering with public funding organizations to support the employment dreams of our core members. Our first initiative was with our Face Book manager, Ryan Ross and we are establishing a process for further mentorship opportunities.
Why did you choose Astonished (to come to the A!TLC)?
"It seemed like the right fit for me".
"The A!TLC tries to give you the foundation you need to help you do the things you want to do".
"It is great to see all of the opportunities that A!TLC can provide me with"
The A!TLC provides programming that aims to be truly individualised.
The content and activities that take place in the A!TLC are age-appropriate and aimed at helping each Student Researcher reach their goals. The A!TLC sees great value in the importance of being social....a chance to go for coffee or to the University pub for Inclusion Café is a vital part of the post-secondary education experience!
For Kennen, Rebekah, and Kelsey - How did you become mentors in SW 479 for the fall 2013 semester?
Kaitlyn led the way! We were all impressed with Kaitlyn's experience as a mentor in fall 2012. Kaitlyn was able to deliver a presentation, make some great friends, and even make a little money in her mentorship role! We were offered the gig by SW 479 prof. Randy Johner . Randy was wonderful and quick to set our minds at ease and make us feel good about being mentors.
Everyone did good work...and a huge shout out goes to Rebekah for going to the front of the class to deliver a presentation for the very first time!
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Pizza Party Eve
Hello out there!
Pizza party eve, you ask? We answer - we are so happy to have won the RQHR World Aids Awareness Day competition! The prize? A pizza party happening tomorrow afternoon in A!TLC. !!! It will greatly add to our first PATH Wednesday, where we will help Student Researcher Kennen set some goals that will help her reach all of her big dreams!
We also took some time to answer more of your UN day questions! Here are a few to consider....
What are some of the biggest barriers that Astonished!
faces?
The awareness barrier. Although we have been on campus at the U of R for one full year now, there are lots of people who do not know who we are or what we do here. We have come a very long way in a year and there are many friendly faces and friends of the A!TLC in the hallways, but we would like to do much more. Kin students Jenny and Chelsea were a great help to helping to break this barrier during the Fall 2013 Semester, as they represented and presented Astonished! in classrooms and in the community at large. Thanks so much, ladies! The more awareness that is raised around campus, the less stigma there will be. We at the A!TLC are happy to contribute to the diversity on campus and show that the average person who would like to learn in a wonderful place like the University of Regina comes in all shapes and sizes. The stigma is only as big as you make it. Be patient and be kind.
Thanks so much for reading and take care!
Thursday, 9 January 2014
New Year! New A!TLC Semester! New (to us!) questions....
Hello out there!
We are back! And thrilled to be here. The A!TLC Winter 2014 Semester is filled with many things to look forward to. And tough work, this is our first Thursday back but it being Jan 9th is the second Thursday of the month....making it an INCLUSION CAFE today! We are headed to the pub shortly.
But before we head out - we have some business! We have been promising since (last year!) December 3rd, 2013 to answer YOUR questions from the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Here's one: What are some of your favorite recreational activities?
Kelsey: Shopping!
Kennen: Getting out and doing stuff! I love fishing...and ice fishing!
Kaitlyn: Being social! Hanging out with friends and being out and about.
Rebekah: Hosting parties and serving. Riding my bike at the Field House.
And another:
How can I adapt my lesson plans to reach students with disabilities?
Ask us! Talk to us to find out what our individual needs are. There is a way to make it work. Be willing to explore the situation and offer accessible office hours. We are happy to work with you!
Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the rest!
We are back! And thrilled to be here. The A!TLC Winter 2014 Semester is filled with many things to look forward to. And tough work, this is our first Thursday back but it being Jan 9th is the second Thursday of the month....making it an INCLUSION CAFE today! We are headed to the pub shortly.
But before we head out - we have some business! We have been promising since (last year!) December 3rd, 2013 to answer YOUR questions from the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Here's one: What are some of your favorite recreational activities?
Kelsey: Shopping!
Kennen: Getting out and doing stuff! I love fishing...and ice fishing!
Kaitlyn: Being social! Hanging out with friends and being out and about.
Rebekah: Hosting parties and serving. Riding my bike at the Field House.
And another:
How can I adapt my lesson plans to reach students with disabilities?
Ask us! Talk to us to find out what our individual needs are. There is a way to make it work. Be willing to explore the situation and offer accessible office hours. We are happy to work with you!
Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the rest!
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Holiday cheer...and then some!
Hello out there!
It is the final day of the A!TLC Fall 2013 Semester and we cannot believe it. It has been a pretty epic few months! We have done so many things and feel like a great team. We are also so excited to see what the next semester (starting on January 7, 2014!) will bring. But for now, let's all stop and enjoy our holiday break....
Today the A!TLC will be going off campus to celebrate and to get a little bit festive! :)
We will begin by toasting one another over lunch and then head to the Southland Mall to do some of that Christmas Shopping that we mentioned in our last blog entry. This is Christmas giving in real time - we will have half an hour to seek out the perfect gift for whoever we have been assigned to be a Secret Santa for. Then, everyone will meet up to do the big exchange. As we are a bunch of extremely thoughtful (and modest!) people, this Secret Santa gift exchange is a pretty big deal to us and we are so excite to see the look on our lucky gift recipient's face as they tear into their present! Good vibes all around and a very high note to end the Semester on. Huge thanks to everyone who made this Semester possible, and to our brilliant and ever-so hardworking Student Researchers. It is a beautiful thing to get to work together like this each day.
We would all like to wish you (yes, you!) a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year! HO HO HO!
All the best,
The A!TLC
It is the final day of the A!TLC Fall 2013 Semester and we cannot believe it. It has been a pretty epic few months! We have done so many things and feel like a great team. We are also so excited to see what the next semester (starting on January 7, 2014!) will bring. But for now, let's all stop and enjoy our holiday break....
Today the A!TLC will be going off campus to celebrate and to get a little bit festive! :)
We will begin by toasting one another over lunch and then head to the Southland Mall to do some of that Christmas Shopping that we mentioned in our last blog entry. This is Christmas giving in real time - we will have half an hour to seek out the perfect gift for whoever we have been assigned to be a Secret Santa for. Then, everyone will meet up to do the big exchange. As we are a bunch of extremely thoughtful (and modest!) people, this Secret Santa gift exchange is a pretty big deal to us and we are so excite to see the look on our lucky gift recipient's face as they tear into their present! Good vibes all around and a very high note to end the Semester on. Huge thanks to everyone who made this Semester possible, and to our brilliant and ever-so hardworking Student Researchers. It is a beautiful thing to get to work together like this each day.
We would all like to wish you (yes, you!) a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year! HO HO HO!
All the best,
The A!TLC
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