DASCH Foundation Blog: News

Disability Matters VOTE 2016

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 12:25:00 PM

You're Invited! Celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities and launch Disabiltiy Matters: Vote 2016 Thursday, December 3, 11 am - Noon Manitoba Legislature - Rotunda This is a joint communcity initiative of Abilities Manitoba athat is all about YOU. We need YOUR support to: Ensure all Manitobans with disabilities can participate fully in election activities. Promote disability issues as priorities in the election. Support Manitobans with disabilities to make informed voting decisions. Refreshments will be served. www.disabilitymatters2016.ca

Duncan Jessiman Inducted to Manitoba Business Hall of Fame

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 01:31:04 PM

DASCH is proud to share that Duncan Jessiman is a 2015 Laureate of the Junior Achievement Manitoba Business Hall of Fame. Duncan and the company he founded, Bison Transport, have been long time supporters of DASCH. Without their support, DASCH and the many people it represents, would not have experienced the success that they have. Karen Fonseth-Schlossberg, CEO of DASCH, shares the significant impact Duncan has had on DASCH in the following video from Junior Achievement: Click here to view the video.

The Scrap Came Back

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 01:09:11 PM

Here's a great video about our gift store, The Scrap Came Back.

DASCH CEO on Bowes Knows

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 04:14:50 PM

Karen Fonseth, DASCH CEO, was interviewed by Barbara Bowes on the CJOB show, Bowes Knows. They speak on Ethics and Self Esteem. Click on the following link to listen to the interview. LINK TO INTERVIEW

NDP Leadership and Disability Issues - Act Now

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:46:00 AM

We currently have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in Manitoba for citizens with intellectual disabilities. Abilities Manitoba has begun a campaign to get NDP leadership candidates to communicate their positions on key disability issues. Click HERE to send a letter to NDP leadership candidates asking for their position on key disability issues. The candidate selected at the NDP Convention on March 8, 2015 will lead the government during the last year of its mandate. The leader will also play a major role in developing the NDP's platform for the next provincial election currently scheduled for April 2016. We need to inform the candidates that these issues are not something we can ignore and they need to be part of every political party's platform. For more information on these key issues please go to www.abilitiesmanitoba.org.

DASCH Makes CS3 100 Difference Makers List

Tue, 06 Jan 2015 12:00:00 AM

DASCH is proud to announce that we made CS3's Difference Maker list. You can see the whole list here.

DASCH Giving Back

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 01:38:00 PM

This winter DASCH will be going to Main and Higgins to give out warm clothing and food BUT we need your help. You can drop off warm clothes at 153 St. Anne's RD, Monday - Friday between 7am-3pm. See the attached poster for details.

2015 Annual DASCH Recognition Luncheon

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 01:05:00 PM

We are very pleased to announce that Special Olympics Manitoba will be our 2015 recipient of the DASCH Recognition award. The Luncheon will be on June 4th 2015 at the Delta Winnipeg.

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 02:13:00 PM

We are pleased to share that Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Family Services, has declared that September 8 to September 14, 2014 be designated as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week in Manitoba.

Abilities Manitoba: 2014 Winnipeg Spring Gathering

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 10:05:00 AM

Please join us, other participants andfamilies from around the region to: Celebrate what’s working Identify what needs to be improved RSVP to abilitiesRSVP@gmail.com Tuesday, June 24 6pm – 8pm St.Amant 440 River Road and Wednesday, June 25 5pm – 7pm Garden City Community Club 725 Kingsbury Avenue Both gatherings will have FREE Food and Refreshments!

Support DASCH: Manitoba Marathon Partner

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 02:40:41 PM

Support DASCH as one of the Manitoba Marathons charity partners. DASCH has been supporting children,youth and adults with intellectual disabilities in Winnipeg for 40 years .to donate visit http://www.active.com/donate/dasch14

Our 40th Anniversary Luncheon Was a Huge Success

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 04:04:00 PM

Thanks to all whom attended our 40th Anniversary Luncheon. The event was a huge success. Through your donations we received over $30,000 which will go towards purchasing a home for people leaving the MDC institution. Special thanks to our honored guests and award recipients Fred Penner and Jennifer Adams. (see picture below with The Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross, Kerri Salki, Jennifer Adams, Fred Penner, Her Honour Anita K. Lee, Karen Fonseth-Schlossberg, his Worship Sam Katz, the Honourable Philip S. Lee and Jack Mutter Below you can see Fred Penner receiving a special gift from The Scrap Came Back Upcycling gift store. Providing the gift was Susanne Williams, director of the DASCH Foundation. Throughout the afternoon, Fred performed many of his hits to the pleasure of all present. Fred received a suprise gift from someone at DASCH and opened it on stage. Upon discovering sunglasses as part of the gift, Fred wore them for the remainder of his permormance. Kerri Salki from 102.3 FM hosted the luncheon. Thanks to all the amazing guests who came to our luncheon!

The Scrap Came Back Grand Opening Was A Huge Success

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 11:00:00 AM

The Grand Opening of our social enterprise The Scrap Came Back Upcycling Store and Artist Workspace was a huge success. Check out some of the videos/links below or go to www.thescrapcameback.com to learn about this exciting place! Fred Penner doing the ribbon cutting with Karen Fonseth-Schlossberg (CEO) and Brian: Fred Penner, Brian, Susanne and Scott celebrating after the ribbon cutting A great video from Shaw TV showing the store: Thanks to Fred Penner and the following media sources for making our Grand Opening a success: CBC, ShawTV, RRC, Community News Commons and the many others. Check out the following coverage of our store: http://www.thescrapcameback.com http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-shop-a-hub-of-opportunity-for-people-with-disabilities-1.2578902 http://www.communitynewscommons.org/our-city/economy-business/the-scrap-came-back-fred-penner-to-cut-ribbon-at-art-gift-shop/ http://allevents.in/Winnipeg/grand-opening-of-the-scrap-came-back/528983787215923 http://www.sppwinnipeg.org/content/scrap-came-back http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/a-place-for-the-learning-disabled-to-create-251150691.html http://news.ca.msn.com/local/manitoba/winnipeg-shop-a-hub-of-opportunity-for-people-with-disabilities http://www.ipick.ca/winnipeg/winnipeg-shop-a-hub-of-opportuny-for-people-with-disabilities http://ca.news.yahoo.com/photos/karen-lehr-paints-her-first-birdhouse-scrap-came-photo-184319758.html http://www.communitynewscommons.org/our-city/economy-business/the-scrap-came-back-fred-penner-to-cut-ribbon-at-art-gift-shop/

Abilities Manitoba: Postcard Campaign

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:56:00 PM

Critical Time for Services to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Key decisions being made over the next few months are likely to have a major impact on the quality, scope and viability of services for adults with intellectual disabilities in Manitoba. We are requesting your help to ensure that these decisions result in a better and more sustainable future. As is well known, the Province of Manitoba is working toward a balanced budget. As part of this, senior staff at Manitoba Family Services have advised us that the department is under extreme pressure to reduce expenditures. We have been told that the department is working within strict parameters and is required to find ways to provide services differently and more cost effectively. In short, we have been told that the “envelope of funding is overspent”. This is very concerning. The safety, quality of life and very well--being of thousands of Manitobans with intellectual disabilities currently depend on these services. Indeed, the service system developed over the past decade has become a fundamental part of our basic social safety net. Service delivery is contracted to over 100 non--profit community agencies across Manitoba, all under separate agreements negotiated by Manitoba Family Services. While all Manitobans can be proud of the progress achieved to date, this essential service system has become increasingly complex and remains all too fragile. There are substantial inequities in funding arrangements among agencies and even differences in funding to provide similar services to participants being served by the same agency. Several of these agencies are under extreme financial stress and are struggling to remain solvent. Disability support workers among all agencies remain one of the lowest paid human services workforces in Manitoba making it difficult to recruit and retain qualified staff. We understand that the Province of Manitoba needs to be an effective steward of public resources. We also understand that spending on these services has increased substantially over recent years to meet increasing needs and demand. In short, we understand that sustainability is a key issue. But we also believe that true sustainability can only responsibly be achieved through a comprehensive and inclusive process. Effective planning also needs to be evidenced-- based with accurate information made accessible to all affected stakeholder groups. Without a strong sustainability plan, we believe substantial short--term changes have the potential to create unnecessary risk, destabilize the already fragile service system and result in reductions to the quality, scope and viability of services currently available to Manitobans with intellectual disabilities. We also believe that Manitoba Family Services wants to do what is right and responsible. We believe that this can be most reasonably accomplished by committing to the following five steps: Establish an inclusive planning process to ensure the long--term sustainability of services upon which so many now depend. Ensure that planning fully incorporates the voices and views of persons with intellectual disabilities, their families, as well as service agencies, their employees and the public. Provide immediate support to those agencies already facing serious financial challenges in maintaining basic services. Take measures needed to provide reasonable wages for agency employees. Ensure that other funding decisions made in the short term do not diminish the quality, scope and viability of current services. With so much at stake, we firmly believe that these five steps represent the right, responsible and reasonable course of action. How You Can Help Here are two ways you can help: Send an “action card “ to the Honourable Kerri Irvin--Ross, Minister of Family Services in support of Abilities Manitoba’s call for these five steps. Complete and mail in an “action post card” or Complete the online version of the “action card” at: http://tinyurl.com/nrl8blt Follow developments on this issue over the next few months by: Keeping in contact with any of Abilities Manitoba member agencies Signing up for Abilities Manitoba’s new email update subscribers service at: http://tinyurl.com/l5o36tk We are very concerned. But we are also very hopeful that a better and more sustainable future can and will be achieved. Please help us make this a reality. SEE BELOW TO FILL OUT AN ACTION CARD: The Abilities Manitoba action cards have been printed and are now available to distribution. Here’s who you can contact to get action cards for your agency: In Westman and Parklands Contact Brenda Elmes (Brandon Community Options) belmes.bdnco@mymts.net In the Interlake Contact Maria Freeman (Association for Community Living - Selkirk Branch) mfreeman@communitylivingselkirk.ca In Eastman Contact Ed Barkman (EnVision Community Living) ed@envisioncl.com Elsewhere in Manitoba including Winnipeg Contact Charmayne Dube (New Directions) charmayne.dube@newdirections.mb.ca If you are in or will be in Winnipeg, you can pick up cards from Community Living Winnipeg’s office at 120 Maryland during normal business hours. As a convenient alternative, participants, family members, staff, board members and other constituents can complete an online version of the action card at: http://tinyurl.com/nrl8blt Your agency’s timely and active support of the action card campaign will be key to ensuring that decision makers are keenly aware of the importance of current services to adults with intellectual disabilities across Manitoba. Please get your cards today. Regards, Malinda Roberts President

40th Anniversary Duraco Windows Project

Sat, 01 Feb 2014 12:00:00 AM

You can now view the full list of windows available for donation! See below: Duraco is sponsoring DASCH to help with the upgrade of all our windows and doors in 50 of our homes to help celebrate our 40th anniversary. When we approched Duraco with a limited budget to upgrade our windows and doors, Duraco decided to donate one third of the budget! DASCH will be covering one third of the budget and we are looking at the community at large to help complete this project. How can you help? Contact Ally below to be part of this incredible project: Ally Beauchesne Duraco Windows Telephone: 204-(204) 894-3697 Email: abeauchesne@duracostormtite.com

Vote Now! We Have Entered the Aviva Community Fund Contest

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 01:21:36 PM

We have entered the Aviva Community Fund contest; we have the potential to win between 50 and 100 thousand dollars for our Upcycled gift store and our artist work space. Please take the time every day to cast your vote, share this with your friends and family…Spread the word!

DASCH 12th Annual Awards Gala with Fred Penner April 10th, 2014

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 08:59:00 AM

April 10th, 2014 Grand Ball Room Hotel Fort Gary Individual tickets $90.00 Sponsorship opportunities: Developer Level $ 5,000 + Builder Level $ 3,000 + Contractor Level $ 1,500 + Neighbor Level $ 800. + Performance by the Winnipeg Youth Chorus with performances by the DASCH Vocal Ensemble All funds raised this year through the Marathon and the Award Luncheon honoring Fred Penner will go directly to purchasing new homes. Currently, there are 12 institutionalized individuals waiting for a home in DASCH; DASCH will need to purchase 5 more homes. This is a priority! The faster we raise these funds the sooner we can get these people into a home of their own; a home where they can meet new friends, live in a community and enjoy life to the fullest. Help us make this a reality!

Project:HOME

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:59:00 PM

The DASCH Foundation is on a mission to raise $2.5 Million dollars. The money raised will go towards assisting DASCH Inc. in the purchase and renovations of wheelchair accessible houses. These houses will be homes in the community for people currently institutionalized in the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage La Prairie. These people have spent their whole lives in an institution. For almost 40 years DASCH has worked to develop over 50 homes, apartments, day programs, respite services and foster care supports. DASCH strives to provide a full and enriched community living life to each child, youth and adult we support. DASCH is currently one of the largest community living agencies in Manitoba. To donate to Project:HOME contact the DASCH Foundation at 204.987.1556 / daschfoundation@dasch.mb.ca or follow our Support Us link.

Thanks to Metro News

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:12:00 AM

Thanks to Metro News for being our official print sponsor for the Manitoba Marathon!

Thanks To PROforma TouchStone

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 02:27:32 PM

DASCH would like to thank Bill Forest at PROforma TouchStone for his contribution to our DASCH to The Finish Manitoba Marathon team.