Holiday Stories at the DDRC
The year feels like it’s just flown by, and we can’t believe it’s almost 2016! We know that December is a special month for many people, and for many different reasons. We believe that it is important to recognize diversity, and to help everyone celebrate in their own way. Here are a few of the holiday memories and traditions that some of our employees shared with us:
“The holiday that holds a special memory for me is Diwali (Deepawali, or ‘Festival of Lights’). In India, this is celebrated in the grandest way possible with lights and firecrackers symbolising the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. At our home, we wear new clothes and our whole family used to meet up at my grandparents’ place to burst crackers. In the evening, we light our entire house with deepa (lamps and candles), and then have a family feast! We did this every year for a very, very long time!”
– Shruthi R., Client Service Coordinator
“Something that we really celebrate is Reyes (Día De Los Reyes), and that happens on January 6th. It’s a Spanish tradition where they celebrate the coming of the three wise men. Children tend to get gifts for that as opposed to Christmas.”
– Angelica M., Client Service Coordinator
“One tradition my parents started doing with us when we were little was a hide and seek activity. After or before opening the presents, my parents would have us search the house for five or six pieces of paper that contained clues for where to find the next clue and some money. So, after searching the house for these clues, we would be that much richer! Today, all of us are grown up, so we return the favour and hide clues with money around the house for others to seek out and find. I like to write my clues in ‘Yoda language,’ and it’s quite interesting to see people decipher them.”
– Hebert T., Quality Assurance Analyst
“[My cousin and I] went to Norway to spend Christmas 
with some friends of hers. They have this tradition there where on December 23, they eat rice pudding, and one person gets a blanched almond in their pudding. Whoever finds the almond wins a marzipan pig. It’s very specific. I didn’t win, but it was still fun.”
– Caitlin M., Senior Communications and Development Coordinator
Changing Seasons; Changing Lives
Every year, as fall turns to winter, our Fund Development department puts together a special letter for our annual fundraising campaign. A program is chosen that would benefit from additional funding and, thanks to generous donors like yourself, we are able to make big improvements in the services we provide to support full community inclusion.
The last couple of years have been incredibly successful: in 2012, we raised over $25,000 to purchase SMART Boards for our Learning and Leadership program. In 2013, we had the aim of funding a new DDRC initiative: The Saturday Children’s Learning Program. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, that program is now underway, and will be available as a great resource to families and children in the new year. This year, we hope to better the lives of our clients by providing additional Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).
All DDRC front-line staff undergo PBS training, learning theories and strategies, as well as Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training, in order to best support clients with high behavioural needs. Our PBS Coordinator is on hand 5 days a week, developing support strategies for staff to implement when a client puts themselves or others at risk.
Additional PBS funding will give the 60+ adults clients who require PBS supports more access to the resources they require to help minimize their level of risk, reach their personal goals, and improve all aspects of their daily living and quality of life.
Currently, we have raised $10,608 of our $25,000 goal. With your help, we hope to reach this goal by February, 2015. You can donate online, by mail, or over the phone (403-240-3111). For more information, see our current fundraising letter, or e-mail kara.garner-welsh@ddrc.ca.
Mailing address:
DDRC
Attn: Kara Garner-Welsh
4631 Richardson Way SW
Calgary, AB T3E 7B7
Holiday Open House Gallery
Here are some of the highlights from this year’s Holiday Open House!
Video: Holiday Open House
Couldn’t make it out to this year’s Holiday Open House? Not to worry; we’ve brought the Holiday Open House to you! Check out some of the footage from this year’s event, and be sure to mark your calendar for next year: December 3, 2015!
3 Ways to Get Involved This Winter
The Inclusion Awards may be over for another year, but things are far from quiet at the DDRC! Here are 3 great ways to get involved in the coming months:
1. Come to our Christmas Craft Sale
For the third year in a row, we are opening up the doors of the DDRC gym for bakers, jewelers, crafters, and vendors of all kinds! This is a great opportunity to get started on your Christmas shopping, or even pick up a little something for yourself!
Date: Saturday, November 8
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: DDRC Gym (4646 Sarcee Road SW)
2. Volunteer at our Casino Fundraiser
The casino is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of many generous volunteers. Currently, there are still a number of important volunteer shifts to be filled. E-mail austin.clem@ddrc.ca if you are able to fill any of these much needed vacancies:
Friday, November 21, 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 21, 7:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Friday, November 21, 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 22, 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 22, 7:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 22, 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Location: Cash Casino, 4040 Blackfoot Trail SE
3. Drop by our Holiday Open House
Celebrate the season with tasty treats, fun activities, and a visit from Santa! This year’s theme is “Celebrations Around the World,” so come on out and tell us how you celebrate the holidays! As with like the Christmas Craft Fair, this free event is open to everyone!
Date: Thursday, December 4
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: DDRC Gym (4646 Sarcee Road SW)
