SNAPS Newsletter - Summer 2008
President’s Message:
My name is Lorraine Forsen and I am returning as
president of the Foothills Special Needs Association for Parents and
Siblings (SNAPS). I have been married for fifteen years to my best
friend Kevin, and we are the proud parents of twin daughters, Jessica
and Stephanie. Our daughters are twelve this year, and entering Grade
Seven, they were born very premature, at 26 weeks, and with that came
the many challenges of dealing with all the medical issues that created.
We became well aware of the struggles facing parents with children with
special needs as we worked our way through the systems getting the best
available assistance for our girls as they faced many hurdles medically,
physically, and emotionally. We never took no for an answer when it came
to the needs of our children.
We continue to offer family support, Coffee Chatters and Food for
Thought. I would like to speak to a pilot project that SNAPS is involved
in as a collaborating partner. This project focuses on the need to
promote well families through social support as identified in the United
Way High River Partnership Needs Assessment. Recognizing that employment
concerns for both employers and employees may lead to financial and
emotional stress for families and individuals, the Foothills Special
Needs Association for Parents and Siblings, Literacy for Life and the
Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society have designed a project called “Work a
Day in my Shoes”. Work is the best way to lift families out of poverty,
to raise incomes and to open doors. SNAPS is offering support to
families as well by providing evening sessions through Food for Thought
to families as they look at employment for their family member.
I am a strong believer that when it comes to our children they should be
able to access whatever programs, specialists or funding that is
necessary to allow them every opportunity to grow and become valued
members of our community. As the continuing president I will take this
philosophy forward as I speak on behalf of SNAPS with other stakeholders
and community groups.
Let me introduce you to the rest of our dedicated and hard working
board.
Lorraine Forsen from Cayley, Deanna Leis from Black Diamond, Susan
Kirsch from High River, Carol Hamm from High River, Kathy Reinders from
High River, Sandy Rhodes from Nanton, Connie Kjinserdahl from Nanton. We
look forward to serving you for the 2008-2009 term.
I would like to bring it to your attention that SNAPS will be moving to
a location of their own. They will be moving to 335 B Macleod Trail High
River, as of September 15th.
Please drop in and see us!
Lorraine Forsen
SNAPS President
Annual General Meeting
President Report
(Summary)
May 2008
Foothills SNAPS has had a very exciting year as we have
now been in our office space for almost two years and have experienced
the opportunity of being more involved in the High River community. As
president this past year I have seen first hand the impact that SNAPS
has had on the many families in the Foothills and Nanton area.
Foothills SNAPS hosted and participated in many events, workshops and
public awareness opportunities. The Annual Charity Christmas Concert,
the “Show the Love” Heart Art Gala, Safeway WE CARE Program, Little
Britches Parade are just a few.
Foothills SNAPS continues to bring the parent voice to the Foothills
Special Education Advisory Committee, WestView Student Health Initiative
Program, Inter Agencies across the Foothills, 4C, Family Voices and to
Alberta Association for Community Living. The communities we serve had
access to the continuation of the following programs offered through
SNAPS: Family Support, Coffee Chatters, Food For Thought and the
beginnings of a new collaborative project through the High River United
Way called Work a Day in My Shoes.
As I reflect on a personal level this past year, I have become more
aware of the importance of our organization and how much families in our
area depend on this kind of support. Foothills SNAPS is truly a way to
“Connect the Dots” for many of our families to help them hook up with
the right agencies for their family member.
Respectfully submitted by Lorraine Forsen
(full report here...)
Updates:
The 5th Annual
Connecting-The-Dots....Conference
Putting your "Energy into Education and Employment"
The Connecting the Dots conference was
held on May 31, 2008 at Highwood High School, High River. There were
attendees from Cochrane to Claresholm and many communities in between.
The day began with greetings from Sandra Rhodes a director on the Board
of Foothills SNAPS. The conference day was facilitated by a friend of
Foothills SNAPS, Mr. Gord Otto of Calgary who kept things moving
smoothly and succinctly.
There were presentations on Education, Advocacy with a session on Post
Secondary by the U of C Varsity Ed Program and a session on ‘Preparing
for Employment” by guests from Calgary, Nanton, and High River. There
was a session on “Reserving Your Energy” for those on this journey of
life and special needs provided by Anne Scappaticci, Calgary Health
Region, and a session on Family Advocacy by Jim and Diane Reid of
Calgary.
The day also provided those in attendance opportunities to be aware of
who is out in the community as there was a Resource Fair with attendees
from Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD), Wild Rose Community
Connections, Literacy for Life, Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society, Usborne
Books and Alberta Association for Community Living/Family Voices.
We thank everyone for their part in the success of the 5th Annual
Connecting the Dots Conference.
Office Move
We are moving September 15th to 335 B
Macleod Trail, High River, the phone number and mailing address will
remain the same! Drop by to see us!
High River Little Britches Parade
Once again we participated in the High River Little Britches Parade.
Hi-Way Service donated vehicles and staff who not only helped with the
decorating but also donated their time to drive and ride along on the
float and caravan of equipment entered in the parade. The day was
wonderful and lots of fun. Thank you to the volunteers and to the staff
of Hi-Way Service, High River.
Sibshops Celebration Day!
Watch for future Date!!!
An Evening about Autism!
The first evening was held in June where Maureen
Bennie Director of Autism Awareness Center in Calgary came to Okotoks
with not only her knowledge but also a wonderful display of resource
materials for those in attendance.
The second event will be held on October 7th, 2008 at Dr. Morris Gibson
School. It will begin at 6:45 for viewing of resources with the
presentation to begin at 7:30 to 9:15. The topic will be on
feeding/eating issues and Social Skills. For more information please
contact Orvella at 403-603-3232.
Upcoming News…
• Work a Day in My Shoes - Ongoing
• Food For Thought – Lets Talk – a new line up for fall! Stay tuned
• Coffee Chatter – September 9th Nanton – 10:00 to 11:30 AM and in
Okotoks on September 16th, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM See you there.
• Don’t forget we have four library sites now – Okotoks Healthy Family
Resource Centre in Okotoks and Parent Link Center in High River, Nanton
Quality of Life, and SNAPS resource center.
• Remember we are here for your questions, concerns or to listen –
contact us either by phone or email.
• Connect to our website for regular information and updates.
Work of the Board
The work of the board continues to work under the guidance of the Vision, Mission and Values below. Foothills SNAPS has seen growth in awareness over the past year and is looking forward to a very busy year of support to families and community.
Vision:
A community support network for families.
Mission:
Foothills SNAPS will provide to families access and awareness through
various means: referrals, one to one contacts, workshops, conference
events, communications, and resources.
VALUES:
Inclusion, Opportunity, Truth, Knowledge, Commitment, Confidentiality,
Empathy, Respect
Foothills SNAPS-403-603-3232 or contact@foothillssnaps.com
Community Funded by: Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley, MD of Foothills and Nanton FCSS, High River United Way Partnership and Okotoks United Way Partnership, Okotoks Safeway We Care, Donna Kaye Music Inc.