NEWS & STORIES

EARTH DAY

On Earth day, ACT participants did some litter clean-up and tree planting! Thanks to Kal Research for providing the seedlings, and thanks to the arborists at the City of Vernon for suggesting where to plant them!

At Dobie House, they began work on their garden and at Venture Connections they planted seeds in pots. Cedar House took advantage of the warm sunny day by going for a walk and our Explorer Group visited Polson Park.

JOINING HANDS

VDACL WoodShop Supervisor Garth Wells (pictured on the farright) built a wheelchair accessible art work table for the VernonCommunity Arts Centre. The donated table will be used by peoplewith disabilities in the Joining Hands Program. Also pictured isRyan Cucheron, VDACL Executive Director, Quinn Vienneau,Joining Hands Program Coordinator, and Marie Beaudoin,VDACL Community Support Worker.

Participants from our Venture Connections program attendJoining Hands and Marie Beaudoin noticed a need for anaccessible table. She reached out to Garth Wells and within aweek he designed and made an adjustable table with a built-ineasel.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Our A.C.T. day program stands for Awareness, Challenge and Thinking. This day program is innovative because it leverages the strengths of staff to deliver training on a given subject in different ways. Staff like using the training methods they themselves enjoy doing and program participants benefit from the variety. People all learn differently, but retention and learning outcomes are better if the subject is tackled from different angles.

A good example of the ACT approach to learning is their recent Fungi Project, which all started by purchasing "grow-your-own' mushroom kits of the exotic and beautiful King Blue Oyster mushroom. We were amazed and inspired by the fantastical shapes that emerged as our mushrooms grew, over the weeks of careful tending.

In the classroom, participants learned about fungi as a valuable part of our eco-systems, along with their identification, uses, growing conditions and cultural associations.

The inspiration for our vibrant mushroom print paintings came from our introduction to Andy Warhol’s famous Pop Art series of prints. Using vinyl and foam tiles, an assortment of mushroom shapes were carved and texturized into shape. This medium enabled participants to apply acrylic paints to create repeat images, altering the colour of background and paint combinations, with stunning results!

In addition to our painting, we modeled a variety of unique mushroom forms out of clay.

Finally, in recognition of Chinese New Year celebrations, we enjoyed a wonderful Wor Wonton Soup, featuring some of our mushroom harvest, in an aromatic broth!

Fun Facts!

• Program capacity: 15 participants per day
• Staff: 3
• Fundraiser: 2019 Choices Art show raised
  $1,953 for iPads and a projector

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

At our Senior Staff meetings each month, we take nominations for "Employee of the Month." The winner is then drawn randomly as it is impossible to choose one over the other. Winners receive a $50 gift card to the store of their choice. Here are recent nominees and recipients:

Recipient: TJ W
Nominees: Amber C / Kerry J / Dominique C

Recipient: Shelly E (pictured, center)
Nominees: Sarah H-P / Mary I / Geraldine G / Berna P / Dominique C

HOME SHARE DINNER & DANCE

On April 1st, the Home Share program had a dinner and dance night. Twenty-five people participated where new and old friendships were connected. Lots of fun was had with home share providers and their residents.

BACON CUPCAKE

RECIPE

Cupcake Preparation:

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Combine all ingredients and fill muffin tin. Bake in over at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

Frosting Preparation:

Cook bacon and set aside. Mix all the frosting ingredients until blended. After the cupcakes have cooled, apply the frosting and crumble bacon on top.