Child and Youth Programs

Wow - it's been a celebratory year! From the Child & Youth Programming standpoint, it continues to be a privilege, honour and joy to assist with the connection of support services for kids and youth with barriers to learning. Whether through Tutoring 121, 'Break Away', Fitness Zone - SWIM, March Break Mini Camp, Blaze Summer Camp 2009, Lego Friendship Project or Teens Advance, it is our priority to partner with families with meaningful care and support that brings hope.

2009 in review -

Precious Minds gratefully acknowledges the generous support of many 'friends of the Centre' - volunteers, community groups, churches and corporate foundations who give of their time, expertise and finances to further our impact - ultimately joining hands with Precious Minds to provide needed support.

Supporting kids well is our priority! Whether your child's need is temporary or longer term, we are positioned to help through programs such as:

We welcome your enquiries and thank-you again for the opportunity to build into your precious ones,


Sandy Ianuzzo
Family Support -- Child & Youth Programming

Contact me at: 905-982-0882, ext. 1 OR sianuzzo@preciousminds.com


Blaze Summer Camps 2010

photo

Precious Minds' full day support camps focus on your kids and their individual needs.

Each structured camp day features creative theme-based activites including music, art, table tasks, cooking & baking, outdoor time for exercise, games and lots of fresh air!






Blaze Camp Goals for 2010:


Sessions Offered
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.		 Camp Fees
#1
July 5 - 16		 $380
#2
July 19 - 30		 $380
#3
August 3 - 13		 $350
#4
August 16 - 27		 $380

As well, we are pleased to offer for the 3rd year, (4) Leadership Modules with the intent to mentor higher functioning youth in understanding reputable character, building competencies in basic workplace skills and practicing healthy teamwork. Full day program, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $190 *Limit: 2 students per week.

#1 July 12-16
#2 July 26-39
#3 August 9-13
#4 August 23-27

For more information and to register: please call Sandy Ianuzzo or Pat Kerry at the Resource & Learning Centre at (905) 982-0882. Financial subsidies available.

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Break Away

The Break Away support program has proven to be a meaningful option for families with children dealing with developmental disabilities. It is a structured respite program for kids (ages 5 - 12) and youth (ages 13 - 18+). Your child will experience music, sensory activities, crafting, comprehension tasks and outdoor play, led by screened adult group leaders, assistants and student volunteers. We are grateful to the United Way of Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge for their support of this initiative. Look ahead now on your calendar to determine when Precious Minds can provide you, your caregivers and YOUR CHILD with 'a needed break away!' Decide now to reserve - limit of 12 kids per week.

Location: Resource and Learning Centre

Break Away Benefits:

Spring Session commences Saturday, Mar. 27 and runs through to Saturday, May 29 (with the exception of Easter Weekend and Victoria Day weekend).

Registration:

Reservations must be made 2 weeks prior to first Saturday chosen (e.g., if you decide to have your child participate for the month of October '09 plus 2 weeks in December, our office needs notification by September 20th)

Generously sponsored by United Way of Ajax Pickering Uxbridge

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Teens Advance

A refreshed initiative designed for Blaze 'leadership' teens specifically geared to their changing needs as they mature, explore their role in the community and begin to hone individual interests. Theme-based afternoons both at the Centre and in our neighbouring communities (hiking/biking at Durham Forest Trails, volunteering in the community, restaurant experiences) with the aim of supporting youth in the areas of life skills, self-help skills, social skills and personal responsibility to health and fitness. *Pre-registration necessary.

Dates: Saturday afternoons
Time: 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Location: Based out of the Centre with out-trips planned
Cost: $20.00 per afternoon

Begins again Mar. 27 and run through to May 29 (with the exception of Easter weekend and Victoria Day weekend)

Generously sponsored by United Way of Ajax Pickering Uxbridge and the Fore Scugog Golf Tournament Proceeds 2009

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Fitness Zone

Back in 2007, we piloted our first 'Fitness Zone' - a fitness/wellness initiative for kids and youth (ages 8+) with developmental needs with the following clear-cut aims:

Many sessions later, this support program continues to build momentum! Each afternoon is a FUN and organized combination of trained, enthusiastic group leaders, student volunteers and keen kids and youth:. Participants are partnered with a team leader for approximately 45 minutes of conditioning exercise then transition to a well-deserved break and time set apart for learning healthy snack ideas and eating up too!

photos Precious Minds launch of 'Fitness Zone - SWIM' which ran at UxPool last Oct. 16 through to Dec. 4. Cheers to Beth McClelland, USS student volunteers and Uxpool staff who partnered for kids/youth with developmental disabilities.



logo We are grateful to General Mills Canada Corporation for their support through the Champions for Health Kids grant.



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Lego Friendship Project

Our goal in this unique support opportunity is to come around the social needs of boys, ages 8-12 with a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism. Each afternoon is 'built to specs' with special focus on providing a safe and engaging setting, practicing everyday aspects to healthy relationships and utilizing Lego as a means of experiencing teamwork. We are grateful to various community players for their committment to join Precious Minds in making this support strategy possible. As well, we encourage high school students to consider this as a meaningful way to help fulfil their 'community service' hours requirement.

For more information, please contact Sandy Ianuzzo - Family Support, Child & Youth Programming at (905) 982-0882, ext. 1

Generously sponsored by United Way of Ajax Pickering Uxbridge

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Social Skills Group


We're recruiting!

Do you have an adolescent 12-18 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of Asperger's or high-functioning autism? Precious Minds is pleased to be partnering with Lake Ridge Community Support Services for a social skills program beginning in Fall 2010. In order to ensure this support program is sustainable and has impact for North Durham youth in the years to come, we are following a carefully set-out recruiting process which will include assessment/screening (Spring 2010). Please call Sandy to discuss your interest in getting involved - (905) 982-0882, ext. 1 We would love to hear from you!

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Tutoring 1-2-1

Over the past few months, Precious Minds has put 'Academic Boost' under the microscope and what we're proposing for the new year is a more individualized approach to supporting elementary-age kids (SK to Gr. 8) who are struggling in the literacy and math strands.

This approach is called "Tutoring 1-2-1 (One to one)".

Many children struggle to keep pace with academic requirements at school. Literacy and numeracy skills are foundation stones for each child's development. The Precious Minds team is pleased to offer a fresh, individual approach to meeting the struggling student at his/her specific need, with the end goal of measurable improvement. In consultation with a qualified teacher, exercises and skills, based on the student's unique needs, will be worked through over an 8-week, 1:1 tutoring schedule. At the close of the schedule, the student's progress will be assessed and a support plan for continued improvement will be offered. It is our aim that 'Tutoring 121' will make a positive difference in your child's achievement, self-esteem and confidence.

Please call our office if you have further questions or would like to arrange an interview.

Contact: Sandy Ianuzzo, Programs Coordinator (905) 982-0882; sianuzzo@preciousminds.com

Start: January 2010
Tutoring schedules to be individually arranged.
Convenient Locations: Uxbridge and Port Perry
Cost: $160 for 8 - 45 minute sessions

**Financial subsidies available.

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Sibling Support

Equally near to our hearts is the desire to support siblings of kids living with barriers to learning. They're a wonderful lot - developing character under pressure, shouldering extra responsibilities around home, processing more questions about their future than their friends and more often than not play second fiddle when you consider a parent's need to ensure that their child with special needs is cared for well. Siblings have issues of their own they need to work through. They need fresh air! Many crave friendships. So, for a few years now, Precious Minds has been developing a support program with the following specific objectives:

Each Sibling Support event is led by qualified adults - most recently, a leader who has walked this path and understands personally, the very real need for support these kids have.

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