Detail of Grand River mural at Woodview in Brantford. |
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Hi there,
Has it been a busy start to the new year for you too? Our staff dove right back into providing much needed support to children, youth, adults - and their families. We've also been preparing to roll out an exciting new Entry to School program that's coming to Woodview in March! There's a lot to share, so let's get to it!
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Zachary Michalski, 12, and mom Ashley, of Brantford, check out the Smilezone transformation at Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services on Park Road North. Photo by Robyn Sharpe |
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Woodview becomes 300th Smilezone in Canada! |
Woodview was again the recipient of another Smilezone Foundation transformation! The Smilezone crew renovated our main location in Brantford at 643 Park Road North over the course of a weekend! The stunning Smilezones feature gorgeous murals, bench seating, bright colours, sensory touches & more!
THANK YOU to the amazing team at Smilezone Foundation for their continued support of Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services. This beautiful transformation has created a warm and welcoming space for the individuals that we serve! Thank you to the generous Donors who helped make this transformation possible: Bell Let's Talk Community Fund, Bank of Montreal, Rotary Club of Brantford, and The Harold E. Ballard Foundation!
Stay tuned for a new date for the Grand Opening event in the Spring!
Read more about why there are plenty of reasons to smile at Woodview in the Brantford Expositor.
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Families Come First at Woodview |
On January 27th, a profile on Woodview and our services was featured in the Mental Health Matters special section of the Brantford Expositor. “We want families to know that they don’t have to go through these tough times alone,” says Flora Ennis, Director, Services/System Planning (Brant). Woodview has been working hard to build more flexible options into its programs and responding to community needs by collaborating with youth and families. |
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On January 27th, Dave Carrol, Host of #BrantLife on RogersTV, interviewed Nicki Straza, Youth & Family Engagement Lead at Woodview, to chat about our programs and to celebrate the one year anniversary of Brantford Autism Services!
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New Entry to School Program:
Starts March 2022!
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An exciting new - and fully MCCSS funded - autism program is coming to Woodview this March! The Entry to School Program, a new initiative from the Ontario Autism Program is for children who will be starting Kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time! By incorporating the successful Early Start Denver Model & ABA principles, children with autism will benefit from learning and developing the necessary skills before entering the classroom! |
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Caregiver Mediated Early Years - Project ImPACT: Immediate Openings Available
Have you received your invitation to participate in the OAP Caregiver Mediated Early Years program? ☎️ Call 289-527-5306 or email us - we have immediate openings available! Build your confidence, reduce parenting stress & feel empowered! We're pleased to partner with Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK) to offer Project ImPACT! |
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Walk-In Mental Health Clinics: Brantford-Brant
Sometimes talking to a mental health counsellor 'today' can prevent a problem from getting bigger.
Call 519-752-5308 and press ‘0’ or
Text 226-920-4427
We will book you an appointment with a Woodview counsellor! It’s free, confidential, and no referral or health card are needed. No wait list.
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Woodview in the Square: Virtual Drop-In
Youth aged 12-18 are welcome to drop in on Zoom and hang out! We have activities and games, and if you need to chat about mental health, we’re here for you! Days & times remain the same, just use the Zoom link on our website to join!
- Tuesdays 5-7 pm 2SLGBTQQIAA+
- Thursdays 5-7 pm
- Fridays 5-7 pm
- Saturdays 1-3 pm
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Autism Webinars: Now Available On-Demand
We’re pleased to offer free webinars for families registered in the Ontario Autism Program on a variety of topics including:
◌ Navigating School
◌ Daily Routines
◌ Emotional Regulation
◌ Picky Eating
◌ Teen Years
◌ Toilet Training & more!
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Hamilton Day Program for Adults with Autism
We have immediate openings available in the L.I.F.E. (Learning, Independence, Friendship, Education) day support program! This unique program is offered to young adults (18-30 yrs) who have a diagnosis of autism and helps develop life skills, academics for everyday life, outdoor & physical activity, community activities, and day trips! Learn more about LIFE here. Please contact us at (905) 527-9771 ext. 180 or email hamiltonautism@woodview.ca. |
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Celebrating Black History Month
Woodview celebrates, honours, and learns from Black voices. Follow us on social media as we continue to work through the Periodic Table of Black Canadian History by sharing stories of historical and present-day leaders in the Black community. We're committed to building an inclusive culture and environment where the people that we serve, our staff, and partners can feel safe, welcome & accepted.
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Diversity & Inclusion Award Nomination
On February 2, the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant announced the Finalists for the 2022 Business Excellence Awards. Woodview was named a Finalist in the new Diversity & Inclusion Award Category. We are honoured to be nominated alongside Brantwood Community Services and YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford. Congratulations to all the nominees! See you at the Gala on May 5th!
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Scholarship Applications Now Open |
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In December, we had the honour of sharing with you that we have established a Memorial Scholarship Fund in loving memory of Jen Brown, a Woodview staff member, who in May 2020 passed away far too early. Read Jen's story here.
Applications are now open for the scholarship, which is offered exclusively for participants, current or previous, in the Woodview Mental Health and Autism Programs. Learn more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
The fund is supported exclusively by the generosity of donors like you. The Jen Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund is administered by the Community Education Awards Hub at the Oakville Community Foundation. Please donate today!
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Please note that you will be taken to the Oakville Community Foundation website to complete this donation. |
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Bell Let's Talk 2022
The message from our staff on Bell Let's Talk Day was that 'you don't have to go through these tough times alone - Woodview is here for YOU!!' We offer 1:1 counselling, youth drop-in, parent/caregiver support, 'walk-in' mental health clinics & more! The bright and cheerful murals at our main location in Brantford (643 Park Rd North) will lift your spirits too! Thanks to Smilezone Foundation with generous support from the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund !
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Woodview Calendars
Back by popular demand! Last year's 60th anniversary edition was so well received that we've done it again! If you would like one, email us with the subject line 'Calendar', and make sure to include your full name and mailing address and we'll mail it to you - while supplies last! Once they're gone, they're gone. We hope the monthly illustrations lift and inspire throughout the year!
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Parent's Nite In: Feb 7
You're invited to Parker's Project next Parents Nite In event! Make DIY mason jar candles while hanging out and having fun with other parents. Email us for the zoom link!
Monday, February 7th, 2022
8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Virtual
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Monthly Support Group
You spoke, we listened! Parents and caregivers told us that a later start time would be better (to finish dinner and tuck the kids into bed). So, for 2022 the new meeting time will be from 8pm to 9:30pm! Meetings will continue to be virtual at this time and held on the First Wednesday of the Month. It's easy to join! Email us to get the link.
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A huge THANK YOU to Unity for Autism for generously awarding Woodview Learning Centre grant funding in the amount of $30,000 for our 2021-22 school year! These funds will benefit the students in our Woodview Learning Centre by providing programming and curriculum materials, enhancing our technology, supporting our life skills programming, and more. Thank you for enriching every aspect of our program!
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Thank you Rotary Club of Brantford for your generous donation of $4,000 to provide for the beautiful "sky" ceiling tiles and brand new flooring to which completed the Smilezone transformation of the Family Room at 643 Park Road North in Brantford! Your support has already made the Family Room, a space where counsellors meet with families and hold therapy sessions, a favourite with staff and the children, youth, and families!
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Sometimes its the little things that we sometimes take for granted. Like lacing up and enjoying some time on the ice! We want to thank Re-Source Thrift Shop in Brantford for donating ice skates to the youth from our Woodview in the Square Drop-In program to use at the Harmony Square ice rink! It was amazing to see our youth who had never skated before get the opportunity to skate!! ⛸️ |
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On December 17th, Edward, Ethan, and Mom Stacey from the Fundraiser Warriors dropped by our head office and donated $578.50 to Halton mental health programs! One of the boys is autistic and wanted to help other kids with autism, like himself. They also wanted to choose a charity that helps with mental health because they understand that many people have struggled during the pandemic. 💗 |
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Now you're all caught up with Woodview News! Thank you for reading, and please feel free to reach out anytime with comments or suggestions.
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Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services
Charitable Registration Number: 119303923RR0001
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