It's our honour to introduce the North Shore Connexions Society Board of Directors for the 2011-2012 year. In no particular order, Bev Baldwin, Bonnie Cadman, Shirley Clarke, Lynda Fownes, Alan Guantlett, Mike Hall, Mark Kilian, Heather Lohn, Jerry Miachika, Des Price, Linda Sellars, Len Slade and Gordon Ward Hall.
We would like to take this opportunity to once again sincerely thank all our Board Members for volunteering their time and remaining so passionately committed to making opportunities happen for those we support.
17th Annual Apple Award
These awards acknowledge educational professionals who stand out for making opportunities happen for individuals with a disability and for promoting the overall vision of North Shore ConneXions Society.
Kathy Moscrip
She is an instructor and co-coordinator of the Access Work Experience Department at Capilano University. For almost 30 years, she has worked with students who live with learning difficulties. She is a longtime advocate for equal learning opportunities and education provision.
Dave Demare
This nominee was a resource coordinator, mentor and role model at St. Thomas Aquinas. He was instrumental in setting up social groups for his students who were facing isolation and anxiety. He helped to facilitate a safe and comfortable place for students to flourish and form personal relationships with peers. He has modeled for the students how to embrace differences and accept people for who they are.
Barb Swankey
She has been referred to by her colleagues as an exemplary model of a kind, positive and dedicated master teacher. She creates an environment that sets the children up to succeed. She contributes 'hundreds' of extra hours to create programming, planning, IEP writing, supporting transitioning, creating and adopting materials so all students can be included. She was nominated for this award not once, but ten times by colleagues, SEA's, Physiotherapists, parents of children with special needs along with the principal of the school.
17th Annual Special Recognition Awards
These awards acknowledge those individuals and community members who have helped to advance the objectives of North Shore ConneXions Society. The goal is to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions and who have, in some way, made opportunities happen for people with special needs.
Community Member: Marji Wallace
A community volunteer who has, for the past two years, run the Hawaiian Dance class at The Summit and participated in our Annual Mingle of the Jingles show. She is a kind and caring person who is dedicated to creating unique opportunities and making an inclusive class experience for all abilities.
Employer: Blitz Auto Spa
This employer has developed a workplace environment that promotes an exemplary model of inclusion, highlighting the individual's skills. This culture creates a team atmosphere that allows all individuals an equal opportunity to succeed as a productive member of the work force.
Self Advocate: Barb Goode
To learn more about this recipient please read our 'ConneXions Award Recipient Profile'
ConneXions Employee: Barbara Bendera
Barb has been noted by families, service managers, employers and participants alike for her outstanding achievements with those she has assisted in the past year. Her effort to connect job seekers with employment opportunities is commendable.
On behalf of the society, we want to thank all of our nominees for their commitment and efforts to promote inclusion within our community.
Congratulations!
