Caring Network for Challenged Kids

September 2008

 

Yet another summer has come and gone! Where does time go?? I know everyone has been busy going back to work and getting the kids back to school. Phew! Always sounds exhausting but routines are good too.

Announcement! Interesting news, Ellie Arruda, our treasured treasurer is now a grandmother. Jessica, her daughter and son-in-law Nelson, are the proud parents of Julia , 8 pound baby girl born August 27th. We wish them all congratulations !

 

Picnic 2008

Our summer picnic was yet another success. I think all families, former and new, enjoy networking with other families. This is what we do,  to bring families together to enjoy each other, our beautiful children and make new lifelong friends. Again, we’d like to recognize and thank Mike and Armanda De Sousa for their continued dedication in hosting the picnic on their farm Sunrise Acres in Milton. Every year the sun comes out on our event to make it a continued success. As well, I want to thank the executive members of the Caring Network for shopping and gathering all we needed for the picnic.

 

Mark your calendars:

 

DSAO Provincial Conference 2008: Together in Community

October 24-26, 2008 Holiday Inn, Toronto, Yordale.

Down Syndrome Association of Toronto is hosting this year’s DSAO Provincial Conference with many informative and exciting speakers. Please see the DSAT website for details and registration at www.dsat.ca.

 

Bowling Night:  November 6th 2008.

To celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness week of November 1st to 7th, our family fun bowling night will be Thursday, November 6th at our usual location of  Streetsville Bowl at 6pm. All are welcome, RSVP .  Francesca 416 509 1094 or email bellfrancesca@sympatico.ca   so we know how much pizza to order

 

Fall Activities

 

Special Olympics Bowling

Five pin bowling. Team name: Strikes R Us

When: Here is a bowling opportunity held on Sunday and Tuesday nights beginning on September 14th and 16th respectively, 6:30 pm.

Location: Center Bowl, 400 Cawthra Rd. Below the Polish Community Center.

The sessions usually run around 30 weeks for the year at a cost of 8.00$ per time (about 250.00$ for the year) and includes the shoe rental, trophies and 2 parties. If interested called Mary Turi at 905-277-5707.

 

Special Olympics Swimming

Mississauga Swim Crest Club

For children of all ages. Starting September 28th. Two swim times Sundays, 9:45am and 10:45am

Location: Terry Fox Pool, Mississauga Valley Community Center

Address: 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd.

Contact: Mel Owen at : 905-625-4290.

 

New Learning Opportunity for students 21 years of age and up.

CalTech Learning Centre is a centre designed to give students a place to continue their academic learning when they are finished in the public educational system, but not finished learning.  Students must be able to work in a small group setting, but do not need to be at any particular grade level for any subject.

We will cover subjects in all areas of student interest, and we provide this in a comfortable and positive setting focused on personal best. 

Please check us out at www.caltechlearningcentre.com for more information and an application form. Susan and Kevin Longley

 

Important : For Your Information

RDSP: Registered Disability Savings Plan

What is it? The Registered Disability Savings Plan is one of the most significant pieces of legislation affecting people with disabilities in recent history. As parents of a son/daughter with a disability we are concerned about the quality of life they will have after we die. The federal government has introduced the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) as a new way for families to save money for a member that has a disability. The main features of the RDSP are as follows:

 

1)     The federal government will issue annual grants of between $1,000 and $3,500 for the first $1,000 or $1,500 contributed each year;

2)     Amount of annual grant is based on family income;

3)     Maximum lifetime grants are $70,000;

4)     Grants will issued until the end of the year that the beneficiary reaches age 49;

5)     Maximum lifetime contribution is $200,000.

For detailed information see www.plan.ca

This is a great, new opportunity for parents with a son/daughter with a disability and will be available in 2009. For more information please call your bank, financial advisor or Kevin Longley at 416-622-9969, ext. 36, or by e-mail at klongley@gpwealth.ca.