Community Feedback
Fit Swim
Our family has benefited greatly from the many programs and support that we have received from Precious Minds. We have three girls, Hannah and Megan are thirteen and Grace is six. Megan and Hannah have epilepsy and global learning disabilities. Over the last ten years, Precious Minds has been a wonderful additional to our girls' lives. They have enjoyed Blaze Summer Camp, Break Away and Fitness Zone - SWIM.
Hannah and Megan have a keen interest in swimming and it can be difficult to find a program that has suited the girls' needs. Through Precious Minds Fit Swim, the girls are able to be involved in an activity that they enjoy while learning and improving their abilities. In a safe environment, Hannah and Megan enjoy positive social experiences with friends they always look forward to seeing.
Both girls have gained confidence in themselves and they truly feel that they are part of something special. Swimming day is the highlight of their week! As parents, we realize the immense impact that these programs have had on Hannah and Megan's growth in all aspects. They absolutely shine when they are with their Precious Minds peers. For our family, the value of these experiences is immeasurable.
March Break Mini-Camp
Just wanted to take the opportunity to let you know how much Ahren enjoyed his three days at March Break camp last week. He's still talking about how much fun he had and can't wait for the summer so he can once again attend Blaze camp with Jared and the other "guys". Jared did a terrific job of planning lots of very motivating activities for the campers to participate in and Ahren was absolutely delighted to be with "the big kids upstairs".
It is so rewarding to pick him up and have him talk non-stop and with great enthusiasm (and we mean that!) about what he did all day at camp. His happy smile is the biggest feedback you can get... THANK YOU!
As a parent of a special needs, one of the greatest feelings is to drop your child off each day and see them enthusiastic and happy... and then to be able to drive away feeling a sense of peace and absolutely no worry because they are with a wonderful group o f people dedicated to making each and every moment of that day special and meaningful.
Teens Advance
Finding programming or extra curricular activities for our daughter can be tricky. She doesn't always fit in well with standard activities, and as good a job that the school does in meeting our daughter’s daily needs, school can be a tough place for her to build confidence. Building our daughters confidence in social settings and in the local community is very important to us as parents. Precious Minds Teens Advance Program does an excellent job of meeting this need. Our daughter loves the outings and also helping out with the other teens that need it, it seems to empower her. We know at the same time she is being mentored and helped along by the staff and older participants.
Having our kids get out into the local community and visit varying businesses, also gives them the opportunity to see that they do have and will have employable skills when they grow up. Having a local business ourselves, we were proud to have this group come to our farm and learn about what we do, and that we would be happy to have any of them come and work here should they so chose. Having the kids hear that there are opportunities for jobs or even careers right in their local communities is very beneficial ...it builds that confidence. Precious Minds Teens Advance Program gives these kids this opportunity that otherwise they would not have. Precious Minds and this program are necessary in our local community to give our kids a fighting chance for a future they deserve.”
Summer Camp
Stephanie,
who is 16 years old and autistic, was reluctant at first about the youth camp at
Precious Minds and dug in her heels, but a visit to the Centre quickly changed
her thinking. The staff were so friendly and welcoming, the kids were so happy
to be there and there were books, and toys and puzzles and a playground … It was
heaven on earth. On the way home in the car Stephanie wasn't sure she would be
able to wait the week and a half before her session started.
Stephanie had an incredible time just being a kid at camp. She couldn't wait to get into that playground every morning to see her new friends. Friends! Something she has never before had outside of school. So eager was she to get back to the game she and her buddies had reluctantly put on hold the night before that she often forgot to give me a hug and a kiss good-bye. I was lucky to get a wave as I pulled out of the parking lot.
To see her that happy, that comfortable, that involved, that accepted - fills me with the kind of joy that only parents with special children can understand and experience. The Blaze Summer Camp at Precious Minds has been an experience that Stephie and I will never forget and one for which we will be forever grateful. Next summer can't come soon enough!
Breakaway and Summer Camp
As the parents of a developmentally delayed child, it is comforting to know that
there is a safe, nurturing and fun environment that we can take our little
'precious mind' to and know that he will be cared for and encouraged to grow…
Conner, our son, has been attending Precious Minds' Breakaway and summer camps
for two years now and has truly 'blossomed' due to the nurturing care he has
received from the Precious Minds staff. He loves the summer camps and talks
endlessly about the camp staff and his fellow summer campers. What a joy it is
to hear him tell his camp stories!
My husband and I are both medical professionals and we have never seen a more kind, caring and loving group of individuals within one organization. We are truly proud to say that we are part of the Precious Minds family!
Dave's Story
My wife died in a car accident just prior to our daughter's first birthday.
As tragic as that was, I soon realized my wife still lived within our beautiful
daughter. Now a single Dad, I had many challenges ahead. Six months later,
tragedy struck again. Suzy suffered a 'near drowning'. Luckily, She was
resuscitated, but her brain was deprived of oxygen for too long which resulted
in a condition known as Acquired Cerebral Palsy - a developmental disability that
she and I would live with forever.
The following years were very challenging! Initially, I had difficulty locating services in North Durham Region for children who have barriers to learning. I soon realized I had to quit my job if I was going to meet the special needs of my daughter. Unemployment both solved and caused many problems.
Thankfully things are different now. I started my own home based business, so I could remain flexible to meet the needs of my daughter. Furthermore, Precious Minds now exists and they provide exactly the kind of support Suzy needs.
Fitness Zone
Our daughter, Jenica, enjoyed the fitness class. Being that she is unable to tell
us much about it, we go on what she starts doing that she hasn't done before.
She was lying on the floor attempting sit-ups and push-ups. She also started
talking about what foods are good for you and that it's 'healthy'.
We were glad there was a program that was so geared toward exercise for her because we find it difficult to promote exercise every day other than walking. This program was great because of the peer support of working out together. We would support the program again.
On IMPROV (a Social Skill Builder Group)
…this was fantastic! Our son raved about it and couldn't wait to go each week.
Alana, Roger and Martin were terrific and I hope they do it again!
…out of all the programs our son has attended at Precious Minds, he has provided me with the most positive feedback from this one! Many thanks. Please, I hope it runs again! And again!!
Kandice's View … a university student headed for the teaching profession
During the summer of 2007 I had the pleasure of working at the Precious Minds
Summer Camp. Specifically, I led the children in science and sensory activities
such as making volcanoes, playing with bubbles and creating 'gloop'.
Working at Precious Minds has been a fulfilling and eye-opening experience and has far exceeded my expectations. The children brought me joy and taught me lessons each day about patience, perseverance and staying positive. Most importantly, they taught me the value of individual strengths and using those strengths to overcome barriers in our lives.
What I gained from Precious Minds
When my Mom told me she had volunteered us for Precious Minds, I must admit, I
wasn't too excited. But now, I realize that I have gained a lot of things. I want
to be a successful babysitter and Precious Minds has taught me how to handle kids
with disabilities. Also, I learned a whole list of things just about people in
general. I've compiled the list below.
1. No matter what language they speak, if they can't speak very well, or if they can't speak at all, we're still not that different.
2. There is no "us" and "them" - there is only one gigantic US.
