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Greetings from the Executive Director

 

 
 
 

Welcome to our first quarterly newsletter! We are excited to share the news about our growing population and successful programing.

AIM began providing services in January, 2015. We were honored to welcome Premier, Brad Wall to our grand opening on January 8th, 2015 and pleased with his announcement of government funding. The Minister of Education, Don Morgan, Minister of Social Services, Donna Harpauer, the Mayor of Saskatoon, a number of MLA’s; families, and many other supporters also attended AIM’s grand opening celebration.

The success of AIM is due to the generosity of both in-kind and financial support from government, community organizations, families and individuals.  A community program like AIM is essential for individuals with Down syndrome but cannot be successful without forming partnerships and working collaboratively with parents, government, schools, and community organizations and businesses.  We are looking forward to continue to foster these partnerships in the coming year.

The newsletter is meant to highlight the programming that staff has been busy putting into place, what is being planned for the fall and opportunities to be involved with the AIM Program.

As executive director my plan for the fall is to take time to personally connect with families, partners, and community members by phone or in person.  My door is always open and I encourage people to provide any feedback you may have.  As our mission states, we are here to serve and support our students and their families in their home and community lives.

We are looking forwarding to working with all the families and community in the coming months.

                                                 - Tammy Ives   

 

 
 
 
 

AIM Staff and Space  

We are thrilled to see our program expand so quickly with new staff and a steady growth in family interest. This has caused us to become very creative with our current location. So you may see changes in our set-up over the next couple of weeks.  We have now began exploring our options around finding a new location.  In the interim, we recognize there are some challenges for families in regards to parking and space and appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through this.  We do have some designated spots in the back and will mark them so you know where you can park but unfortunately on program days there may be some challenges.

Our present staff includes:

  • Tammy Ives, Executive Director

  • Abby Holubetz, Administrative Assistant

  • Emily Young, Speech Language Pathologist

  • Sarah Comeau, Speech Language Pathologist

 
 
 

Starting August 31st we are excited to welcome to our staff: 

  • Tracy Baudais, Early Learning Program Teacher

  • Wesley Myers, Literacy and Youth Program Teacher

  • David Ambrose, Occupational Therapist – Consultant for the Early Learning Program

  • Leanne Hoeft, Music Therapist – Consultant for the Early Learning Program

  • Jennifer Lucyk, Support  Staff     

Some of you may have already met Jennifer Lucyk as she had completed a job placement through the Saskatchewan Abilities Council here at AIM.  The placement went great and we were able to offer her a position with the AIM Program!      

 
 
 
 
 

Pictures and bios of all our staff will be posted in the next couple of weeks on our website check us out at.....

www.aimprogram.ca

 
 
 
 
 

Annual Workshop – Discover the Potential: Innovative Strategies for children with Down syndrome throughout the years – Hope to see you there!

AIM is enthusiastic to be hosting our 3rd annual workshop for professionals and parents/care givers.  Please share with your child’s school, and/or anyone else involved in your child’s development that you feel would benefit from a day of discovering the potential!  

When: Friday, November 6th, 2015  9:00am – 4:00 pm (lunch will be provided)

Where: Wanuskewin Heritage Park, RR #4, Penner Road, Saskatoon

Who:  Members of the PREP Team from Calgary who the AIM Program is modeled after will be the speakers.  Click the following button for more information on this event.

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

We have been hosting Family Nights every 2nd Friday for most months and will continue to do this through the year as we have had a very positive response from families who have attended. There are always planned activities for all the children including siblings. We would like to thank all the volunteers who have worked with the children on Family night allowing parents and caregivers to socialize.

Our next family night is September 11th and we are encouraging all families to come out.  A great opportunity to meet the staff, some of our board members, and a time to connect with other families in a relaxed atmosphere.

We have been asking families to contribute to the “family night fund” to assist in costs such as pizza.  We recognize not everyone is able to contribute funds, we would not want this fee to prevent families from coming.  It is not mandatory and there is no set cost per family, we have a donation jar out and everyone may contribute if you are able to. 

To sign up either call: 306.381.6246 ext. 1 to let Abby know or email admin@aimprogram.ca.

 
 
 

September Family Night:

A chance to meet and welcome new AIM staff members

Professional puppet show for the children

Leave the childcare to us and enjoy connecting with other AIM families  

Who: All AIM families, friends and supporters are welcome to join us!

When: Friday September 11th @ 6:00pm

Where:  The AIM Program, 407 Cumberland Ave South (Grosvenor Park United Church)

 

 
 

Volunteers – Thank you!

We would like to thank all the volunteers who have supported The AIM Program in a variety of ways! 

As we grow we will continue to need volunteers for things such as: family nights, events, and committees.  If you are interested, contact us by phone or email.

All volunteers must fill in an application, provide references, submit a criminal record check for the vulnerable sector, and meet with the Executive Director prior to being accepted as a volunteer.

 
 
 

Family Support/Advisory Committee – Volunteer Opportunity

We are seeking individuals to form the Family Support/Advisory Committee to take the lead and work with the executive director on items such as:  

  • Family Night and other family events throughout the year

  • Family fundraiser

  • Collecting toys, etc. for programming

  • Feedback and ideas for things such as mini workshops, resources, etc.

The plan would be to meet initially once a month.  The time of meetings will be determined based on everyone’s availability.  We would like to have representation from all the different age groups and different locations of the province.  We will set up teleconferences to accommodate those that live out of town.

If you are interested in sitting on the committee, you can connect with Tammy Ives, Executive Director.

 
 
 

 AIM Volunteer Board of Directors – Volunteer Opportunity

The Board is actively recruiting for positions on the board.  If you would like to learn more about the role of a board member, contact Ben Roberts, Chair of the AIM Program board at ben.roberts@aimprogram.ca or Tammy Ives, Executive Director at tammy.ives@aimprogram.ca .

 

 
 
 
 

Update from the Speech and Language Pathologists

 
 
 
 

AIM’s speech and language programming has been a success so far! We have had the opportunity to meet over 60 families in the last 7 months and provide them with individual and/or group therapy, based on each student’s specific need. Here’s a summary of the programs we’ve offered since opening our doors in February, 2015:

AIM 1- Infant Group was offered to students aged 0-2 years old and their caregivers. Goals of this group included imitation, sound play, attending, waiting, early play skills and exploration. Feel free to browse our monthly newsletters  find speech and language goals and activities you can try at home!

 
 

AIM 4- Pre-teen/Teen Group was offered twice a month, targeting social communication skills in a group setting. During the summer months, AIM 4 was offered weekly. We had great attendance and participation for this group!

AIM Summer Camps took place once a week for four weeks. Each student’s specific speech and language goals were targeted throughout camp with the added benefit of group interaction. We had the opportunity to explore many fun themes, including beach, bugs, and camping.

 
 
 

Fall Programming

We’re excited to introduce the Discovery & Bridge programs to AIM. By collaborating with other professionals, we’re looking forward to providing an enriched opportunity for our youngest students. The Discovery Group is a program for kids under the age of 2 1/2, and their caregivers. The Bridge Program is offered to students aged 2 ½ - 5. Both groups target communication, speech, language, social skills, self-help and other early-learning skills.

AIM still has room in their Bridge Program! We are currently looking for children between the ages of 2 ½ and 5, to join the group! This is an unique opportunity for your child to receive specialized services, while engaging in fun, age-appropriate activities with a group of same-aged peers. If you or someone you know is interested, please call our front desk at 306.381.6246 ext.1 for more information.

 
 
 
 

Thank-you to the following funders whose support made these programs possible:

  • Government of Saskatchewan

  • Community Initiatives Fund

  • Saskatoon community Foundation

 
 
 
 
 

The AIM Leaders group will be offered to our oldest students who are working to be leaders in their communities. We’re looking forward to collaborating with the teacher, students and families, to offer a rewarding experience for all participants.

Individual speech therapy continues to be offered to students of all ages! The typical session lasts 45 minutes and is offered anywhere from weekly to every few months. Parents are active participants in these sessions. Speech and language goals are always changing to address the needs of the student.

 
 
 

The Literacy Program We at AIM will be offering reading programs for all age/grade levels.  Literacy is a key component to all levels of education and is comprised of many components.  Please consider utilizing our literacy intervention programs as we believe reading should not only be educational but enjoyable!  More information will be coming soon.

 
 
 

Annual Registration fee

There is an annual registration fee of $100 per family.  The AIM Program`s annual year is from September 1st to August 31st.  Therefore, we had informed families that we would not start invoicing until September 1st, 2015.   The registration fee allows families to be part of the AIM Program which includes access to individual and group programming, resources, play groups and family events. We want to ensure all families who want to be part of the program are able to.  We do not want the $100 to be a barrier; therefore, we will make arrangements to accommodate families who are not able to afford it at this time. 

A letter and pamphlet outlining the services that AIM will provide for families and their children with Down syndrome will be sent out in the first week of September.

 
 
 

Donate to The AIM High Campaign:

AIM needs your support! The AIM High Campaign is dedicated to securing $500,000 over the next three years.  This will ensure that AIM can continue to expand the services for individuals with Down syndrome and their families in a most timely manner while maintaining a top-quality level of professionalism and expertise.

Geographically Saskatchewan is a large spacious province.  In order to support families across the province from one centralized location, AIM will endeavour to meet the needs of families in a most cost effective manner while exploring creative ways to stay connected to families from the more remote areas of the province through technology.

AIM has committed to progressive programming.  This requires a commitment to excellence on AIM’s behalf which in turn will benefit the children with Down syndrome in Saskatchewan and their families, their educators and other professionals who support individuals with Down syndrome.  With the ongoing support and mentorship of PREP, AIM is fortunate to take advantage of the knowledge has gained over the last 25 years.

Let’s join together to make a difference in the lives of Saskatchewan children with Down syndrome.

If you have suggestions or would like to explore opportunities around raising funds, contact Earl Scott, Board member and chair of the Fundraiser Committee at admin@aimprogram.ca

 
 

 

The AIM Program

Grosvenor Park United Church C
407 Cumberland Avenue South
Saskatoon SK S7H 2L3

To learn more about our program go to www.aimprogram.ca like us on our facebook page

For general inquiries, staff directory or to set up an introductory meeting, please call: 306.381.6246 or email admin@aimprogram.ca.

 

 
 
 

Thank- you

The AIM program is able to support children with Down syndrome reach their potential because of the generosity of many people and organizations. A sincere thank you to the following organizations for providing and/or in-kin services:

 
  • Butler Byers Insurance

  • Community Initiatives Fund

  • Government of Saskatchewan

  • Kinsmen Foundation

  • McDougall Gauley LLP

  • Medallion Pipe Supply

  • MGM Communications

  • Miners Construction

  • Northridge Developments

  • Odely! Graphic Design

  • Saskatoon Community Foundation

  • SaskTel

  • The PREP Program

  • RBC Foundation

  • Victory Majors Investment

  • VIPond Riverside Golf