SCRI Society: ‘The Club’
Social Cultural Recreational Inclusion for all
Annual Review: 2010
What is the SCRI Society ‘The Club’?
We are a group of professionals, parents, and family members, who are
working with people who have special needs, and partners throughout the
community to provide activities and opportunities.
Our focus is on providing social, cultural and recreational activities that
empower and enable people who have disabilities and their families.
The majority of members in our programs are aged between 12 and 35,
and have disabilities or difficulties that affect learning or communication.
It is our members that make us special.
The Drop In Club
With thanks to many members, the Parish of St James, volunteers
and community partners, the Drop In Club launched in October 2010 at
St James Anglican Church Hall, Halifax.
“I finally have a place for
my daughter to go to, to
meet people, socialize,
get out of the house and
just have fun. It is also a
safe place and I trust
everyone there.
Before, I was very
discouraged and
stressed that she had
nowhere to go to, and
now she is very happy
and content and can’t
wait each week to go.
This has also given me
the opportunity to relax
and have more time to
myself, which I never got
before. “
Parent of a
Drop In Member
Every Day at The Club
Daily activities include games, air hockey, movies, music, dress-up, arts
and crafts, wii, snacks, and lots of social fun. The Drop In is aimed at
young people and adults over 12 years of age. A session leader and
volunteers are on hand to direct activities and help members where
needed. Members who require one-to-one support bring a support
worker.
Our members’ enthusiasm, friendliness, ideas and natural talents, make
the Drop In Club a very special place for all involved. Their feedback
shows some of the changes they have found since joining:
“I've made new friends”
“I am trying my best to eat healthy foods”
“I am more happy going to the club because I have more to do and I
have met new friends”
“I've become much more socially open, and much more confident. I've
also lost some weight.”
“I am happier”
“I like it”
“I think this is one of the best things we've every had my daughter
involved in. You ladies/guys are doing a wonderful job. She looks forward
to this all the time, and never once has a complaint.”
Parent of Drop In Club member
“My adult daughter very much enjoys going to The Club and her time
spent there. Upon graduation my daughter felt very isolated even being
one on one with people. The things she enjoys the most is the wide
variety of individuals she socializes with, the new friendships
she has made and the activities she does. The Club has been a Godsend for her and she looks forward to the days she will be attending.
Thank you”
Parent of a Drop In Club Member
Programming at The Club
As well as daily activities, members and families help to program a range
of special events at the Drop In Club. Some ideas come directly from
members, session leaders and volunteers, whilst others have developed
from the pilot programs that the SCRI Society has been running during
the past four years. During 2010 we held a number of programmed
activities including belly dancing, a Halloween Dance, healthy eating and
cooking, rhythm workshops, AV Club, Boccia Ball, campfire singing,
yoga, a slumber party, theatre workshops, visual arts and fitness.
“The Club offers our patient a place to go (outside of an institution) where
she is accepted and supported by peers and adults. She was overjoyed
after attending her first formal event of her life, the Club’s Winter Ball.
Our patient began to feel beautiful after seeing professional photographs
of herself at the Lady Gaga dress up event. She has developed
meaningful friendships at the Club which she has not being successful in
developing in the past. The experience that our patient has been a part of
at Club have improved her overall well-being and quality of life.”
Recreation Therapist, Inpatient Mental Health, IWK
Supporting families and respite workers
Parents of Drop In Club members report that they themselves feel more a
part of a community, are less isolated and have more time for
themselves:
“The Club offers us the comfort of safety, reliability and friendship that we
need to feel able to leave our son there and we can go off and do what
we need to do for us. Some of the hardest things for parents of special
needs youth is always having to be there for them and not having time for
us to do what we need and want for ourselves. Respite is so important
to us as parents.”
Parent of Drop In Club Member
Respite workers feel less isolated and have somewhere to take their
clients: “I didn’t have anywhere to take my client before. We didn’t feel
welcome in many public places and it was difficult to find activities that he
would enjoy.” “ We love the Club.”
Member support workers
Membership Options
Membership is $50 a month for unlimited usage, or you
can use our Pay as you Go option of $10 per session
(after five sessions the sixth is free).
Members of group homes and those living independently
in the community are encouraged to talk to us about
special options and reduced membership fees.
Volunteering at The Club
We are very lucky that many students from Dalhousie University, St
Mary’s University and Mount St Vincent University, have chosen to
undertake their practicum at The Club. Family members, friends and
community members have also lent their time and input, helping to make
the SCRI Society a vibrant organisation, with a wealth of specialist
knowledge and expertise.
“The Club is an amazing place to volunteer, its welcoming and inclusive
environment makes it a truly inspiring place to be. Each member is
unique and has something to offer, I learn something new every day that I
am at The Club. I believe that I have become a better person because I
have had the opportunity to get to know the members. I love volunteering
at The Club and I think it's a great experience for anyone!”
Louise Facca, volunteer, Dalhousie University
A very special thank you to all the volunteers who worked with SCRI
Society during 2010. Your invaluable contribution has made an enormous
difference to the lives of so many.
Volunteers and Session Leaders
2010 and 2011
Adelaide Merchant
Alisha Gaudet
Amanda Miller
Andrea Dorton
Andrew Bilz
Andrew Crowe
Anne McCrae
Annie Xie
Audrey Samson
Brittany Rankin
Chris Ferguson
Chantale Levoie
Claire Wight
Danielle MacDonald
Dee Meister
Diane Landry
Emma Cameron
Emily Green
Emily Martinello
Erin Masters
Fred Martin
Grace Hamilton Burge
Gregory Perry
Heather Watts
Hugh Layton
Hilary Jutras
James Munro
Jan Nason
Jean Drake
Jessica Wallace
Jill O’Hearn
Jillian Whynot
Juliet Merchant
Justin Eweka
Katie Morash
Kelli Robinson
Kelsey Comfort
Krissy Brewer
Krista Poirier
Laura MacDonald
Laura Murray
Louise Facca
Lyndsay Sim
Matthew McCarthy
Melanie Gooday
Melinda Dobson
Melissa Friars
Missy Macleod
Nicole Nauffts
Nigel Simpson
Noah McCarthy
Odette Merchant
Olivia Brown
Pat Pye
Presley Ferguson
Ray Champlain
Ray Fernandes
Samantha Bland
Sarah Davey
Sarah Reitzel
Savannah Squires
Sharon Lee Walker
Sheridan Bailly
Stacey LeBlanc
Steven Estey
Tammy Fancy
Theresa Alberquerque
Verda Eweka
Community Partners and Funders
It takes a community to build a community, and during 2010 many
partners came together to make The Club a reality.
The Parish of St James Anglican Church, Halifax
The Windsor Foundation
Province of Nova Scotia Dept of Heritage, Communities & Culture
Active Halifax
Halifax Community Health Board
Province of Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness
and the United Way, Halifax Region.
Your commitment and
support has made this
possible. Thank you
Statement of Income and Expenditure
Fiscal Year Nov 1 2009 to Oct 31 2010
Income
Donations
(Milt Isaacs)
Anonymous Donors
Total Donations
$1,000
$31,023
$32,023
Grants
Halifax Community Health Board
Province of NS Dept Culture
Total Grants
$3,000
$10,000
$13,000
Membership Fees
Dance
Drop In
Theatre
Total Membership Fees
$1,235
$1,075
$700
$3,010
Other Income
Library Teen Read Week
Total Other Income
$100
$100
Total Income
$48,133
Expenses
Dance Club
Drop In Club & Yoga
Teen Read Week Workshop
Theatre Club
Insurance
$2,225
$2,161.49
$100
$1,478.18
$1,130
Total Expenses
$7,094.67
Net income
$41,038.33
Balance Sheet
Fiscal Year Nov 1 2009 to Oct 31 2010
Assets
Cash and Deposits
$45,456.44
Total Assets
$45,456.44
Liabilities and Equity
Amounts payable
General Reserve
$41,456.44
$4,000
Total Liabilities and Equity
$45,456.44
SCRI Society President 2010
Renée Pye
Board of Directors 2009/2010
Deborah Munro
Peggy Weaver
Wendy Bird
Renee Pye
Alice Evans (until August 2010)
Heather Watts (until August 2010)
Charmaine Gaudet (until August 2010)
Audrey Samson (from June 2010)
James Munro (from August 2010)
Sharon and Bud Malay (from August 2010)
Kari Robertson (from August 2010)
Anne MacRae (from November 2010)
Mark Gosine (from November 2010)
Sandra McFadyen (from February 2011)
Acting Executive Director
Alice Evans
Get Involved
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Join our email distribution list: [email protected]
Call Alice Evans: 902 405 2053
Photographs of Lady Gaga Day at The Drop In Club taken by Christian
Stalley www.cspstudio.smugmug.com
Photo of Theatre Club by Heather Watts