Events

February 18, 2016, Meeting: The Ready, Willing & Able Employment Initiative

The Ready, Willing & Able Employment Initiative (RWA), in BC, is being hosted by the Pacific Autism Family Centre and Inclusion BC.  Jenna Christianson-Barker, is the Director of Adult Programs at Pacific Autism Family Centre; her role within RWA is to oversee the positions of Anjela Godber, the Autism Outreach Manager, and Stacey Freeman, the Regional Autism Manager.  Stacey will be procuring employers and educating them about working with people on the Spectrum, and Anjela will be interviewing individuals seeking…

 

Of Interest

May 19, 2016 Meeting: Finances 101

Our speakers, from VanCity, Monina Selga and Edi Soehardi, of VanCity, spoke to our group about monthly management of our finances and about how to improve our financial well-being  over the long term.This meeting was intended primarily for our young people, and covered the basics of spending within our income, making wise choices with our money, credit card management, and record keeping methods. The more our youth learn now about managing their financial affairs, the more capable they will be…

 

Meeting, June 16, 2016: Workplace Safety & Employment Standards

Speaker: Matthew Bowcott from WorkSafe BC spoke about his workplace accident and his lessons learned the hard way -  The Matthew Bowcott Story (YouTube) and through a Quiz we explored the Employment Standards Act. For more information about the Act: https://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/igm/igm-toc.htm          

 

Of Interest

Meeting: July 22, 2016 Charitable Status, Fundraising & Advocacy

The following Mission Statement was adopted: Who We Are: A non-profit volunteer group supporting atypical & Autism Spectrum post-high school adults and their families. Our goal is independence for our supported adults; therefore, our focus is on the following issues as key to achieving this goal: Employment, Post-Secondary Education, Housing, Finances, and Life & Social Skills. What We Offer: Information dissemination pertaining to the above issues. Emotional support for our individuals & families. Alliances with funded service agencies, who may…

 

Meeting:  September 15, 2016  Nicole Jinn, Victor Toh, Talie

 This meeting was an opportunity for SPS members to speak about their interests and experiences. We had three speakers – Nicole Jinn, who spoke from her experience, about advocacy and gender imbalance, and employment issues; Victor Toh, who spoke about his business, “Capability Club”, providing life skills training for ASD children;  and Talie, who spoke about her Autism 30 podcasts project. Nicole Jinn,  Advocacy for Adults with ASD and Gender Imbalance During her research, Nicole approached both the Ministry of…

 

On Asperger’s & Gender

Regular Square Peg Society Meeting : Nicole Jinn to present on Asperger's & Gender Location : VanCity South Burnaby Branch,  5064 Kingsway, Burnaby

 

Meeting: October 20, 2016 Job Readiness

Panel Discussion:   Kalena Kavenaugh, Anjela Godber, Caroline Gatchalian, Sarah Blackmore Employment success for people with Asperger's, HFA, or a similar profile, is dependent on effective preparation and follow up for both employers and employees. Many people with these diagnoses do not qualify for assistance after the age of 19, yet they are required to compete in a neuro-typical world. Social skills can often trip them up, particularly if they did not receive treatment or training when they were young. They…

 

Of Interest

Cooking Club

Cooking Club with Kurt & Tilman

 

Meeting: November 17, ASD & Mental Health – Polly Guetta, Mood Disorders Association

While families approach Square Peg Society seeking help with adult issues such as employment and housing, their underlying fear is that their adult offspring will live a life of poverty and isolation, after they are gone, or after they are no longer able to care for them. Often it is mental health issues – stress, anxiety and depression, not autism – that is impeding their success at work, post-secondary education, and independent living.  Our meeting was the first of several…

 

Of Interest

Event time is in Vancouver BC time.