THE Friend 2 Friend Social Learning Society recently received the 2012 Family Services grant from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. in support of its new Play Centre located in East Vancouver.
They are honored to be the only B.C. organization to receive a family services grant, worth $10,000, from the foundation, says North Vancouver resident Heather McCracken, founder and executive director of Friend 2 Friend in a press release.
The society is a non-government-funded, nonprofit charity and the support of organizations like the Flutie foundation makes it possible for staff to provide state-of-the-art services to children with autism and their families at a fraction of the actual cost, ensuring all children with autism can access high-quality, research-based programs, says McCracken.
The Friend 2 Friend Play Centre opened in September 2012 and offers a safe haven where marginalized children with autism and other types of special needs can come to play and make friends under the guidance of highly trained professionals. The centre is the first of its kind to feature the award-winning Integrated Play Groups, SCERTS and F2F models, which help children improve social communication, emotional regulation, and imaginative play - the cornerstones to healthy development and lifelong relationships.
McCracken, a parent of three, including a son who has autism, founded the society in 2002 and the nonprofit charity provides innovative social, communication, peer play and friendship programs to children on the autism spectrum and with related needs throughout B.C., Canada, the United States and internationally. Friend 2 Friend works primarily in schools throughout the Lower Mainland and has provided programs and services to more than 150,000 children and 30,000 adults. Info: friend2friendsociety.org.
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North Vancouver resident Valerie MacGregor was one of 13 B.C. residents who received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation from Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, at a ceremony in Vancouver Dec. 12, 2012.
The commendation is presented to individuals who have contributed to the care and well-being of veterans and to the remembrance of their contributions, sacrifices and achievements. It is intended primarily for veterans, but in some circumstances may also be awarded to non-veterans.
MacGregor is a member of The Royal Canadian Legion and is currently the North Shore and Howe Sound Zone Commander. She is also a member of the public relations and marketing committee for the B.C. and Yukon Command. From 2005 to 2009, she served as president of Legion Branch 60 in West Vancouver and, from 2009 to 2011, she served on the Legion Foundation's board of directors. She is the chairwoman and coordinator of the committee for the North Shore Candlelight Tribute and is currently a director at the New Chelsea Society, which provides affordable housing for veterans and seniors in Vancouver. She supports the North Shore Cadet Corps and the West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation, and is involved in promoting the remembrance of veterans within West Vancouver schools.
To date, more than 700 individuals have received the commendation. Nominations may be submitted at any time and are reviewed annually by an advisory committee. Info: veterans.gc.ca.
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