kidsLink

An Integrative Approach to Wellness

Monday, June 17, 2013, 7-9 p.m.

The Family Centre, 65 Hanson Ave., Kitchener, ON

Would you like to learn how to improve your health using natural therapies but don’t know where to start? Please join Jennifer Forristal, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Dawn Taylor, Registered Holistic Nutrionist, for this informative and interactive workshop. Please contact Dawn at dtaylor@kidsLINKcares.com to register.

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Barb Ward Takes Trauma-informed Information Eastward

When Barb Ward  attended a Family Service Canada conference in Kelowna in Oct. 2012, she did a brief presentation on kidsLINK,  a trauma-informed organization, as an example of innovative practices.   The Executive Director from Family Service Eastern Nova Scotia, Nancy MacDonald,  attended and was very intrigued with creating a more trauma-informed organization and community.  Nancy and Barb spoke monthly, about the steps of implementation practices to begin to become more trauma-informed.    Nancy invited Barb to attend their staff training time in June, which ended up covering 3 days of learning and development.  Barb presented briefly at their AGM, met with their Board to share information and talk about their role in implementing a trauma-informed organization, met with their trauma champion implementation team and delivered several presentations to their staff team and invited guests from their community.  The presentations included information on the impact of trauma on the developing child, their neurological system, the family, community and social service system, as well as the various steps in the science of implementing a trauma-informed system within their organization and community.

This was all accomplished in the heart of Cape Breton, at the beautiful Gaelic College along the Cabot Trail.  The staff team and guests proved to be a fabulous, engaging audience, who asked brilliant questions and engaged in intriguing dialogue.  They bravely practiced yoga poses, brain gym exercises, and other reflective activities wholeheartedly and with much laughter, which Barb most appreciated.  The week was balanced out with campfire ghost stories, Celtic dancing and singalongs.  Barb was very impressed with how FSENS manages to deliver services and operate their organization effectively, while paying attention to details given the large geographical area they serve. No doubt, FSENS will tackle the tough challenges ahead to ensure that their organization and community becomes more trauma-informed.

The 15^th Annual kidsLINK Gourmet Trail took place on May 4^th, 2013 at the Revolution.  Seven bus tours were available, each visiting three fine dining restaurants and sampling unforgettable signature dishes! We had a Silent and Live Auction, along with a fun Casino component.

We would like to thank all our sponsors for this great event, especially Heffner Lexus Toyota Scion for their support.

We also wish to thank the participating restaurants and especially all of our great participants for making it a wonderful day.

If you wish to be on our email list for next year’s event, please send an email to gourmettrail@kidslinkcares.com.

Merger strengthens ability for social and mental health service delivery to Waterloo Region!

Mosaic Counselling and Family Services and kidsLINK (Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc.) are pleased to announce today the amalgamation of these two long-standing and successful social and mental health service leaders. The Ministry of Government Services has approved the incorporation of the new organization that will operate as Carizon Family and Community Services as of April 1^st, 2013.

“Both kidsLINK and Mosaic are recognized for their leadership in providing a multitude of services that strengthen individuals, families and neighbourhoods,” says Carizon’s President of the Board of Directors, Rich Steinmann. “This merger will allow these two agencies to enhance their ability to contribute positively to the well-being of children, youth, adults, families and communities.”

CEO Sue Gillespie, who will lead Carizon, identifies the ability of the new organization to provide a continuum of care that meets the changing needs of our community. “Combined, kidsLINK and Mosaic have the experience of providing services to our community for more than 216 years. As a leader in social and mental health service delivery,” says Gillespie, “we will draw on that expertise to leverage complementary strengths and proactively pursue an even more impactful future.”

The name Carizon, a combination of the words care and horizon, was designed to capture the nature of the services provided by the agency, as well as its hope and vision for the future of this community.

kidsLINK’s ground-breaking integrated wellness approach for children and youth

“The greatest wealth is health.”

kidsLINK believes that young people have within them the power to make a positive difference to their wellness and well-being. Over the years, kidsLINK focused on emotional and mental aspects of health and enabled resilience in young people. In recent years, kidsLINK has specialized in assisting young people to choose wellness, become resilient, and grow and learn from emotional trauma. Its interventions, programs and services are now being restructured to deliberately address body, mind, spirit and environment in pursuing these positive outcomes for kids.  Read more……

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