A very full bus!
During Term 3, 2005 we ran a pilot Transition Social Skills Course for
young adults who have left school. The aim of this course was to teach
social skills in the workplace and in social settings; to teach life
skills relevant to that age group and to encourage participation in the
wider community. This course proved to be an outstanding success, with
enthusiastic participation shown by course members and much positive
feedback received.
Due to the obvious need for such a course and the success of the pilot
course, we plan to run another during 2006.
During Term 4, 2005 we ran a general Social Skills Course for Teens on the
Kapiti Coast. This again proved very successful with each session length
becoming 2 hours instead of the usual 1.5 hours. This was extended due to
the enthusiasm of the course members who felt that the original sessions
were just not long enough!
For: AS/HFA Teens, 13 - 16+ yrs (college age)
Location: Daly Street, Lower Hutt
Dates: Every Monday evening from 8 May - 26 June (with the exception of 5 June which is a public holiday. This session will probably run on 7/8 June instead)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Cost: $100 per course
Thanks go to the Todd Foundation who have subsidised the high cost of this course
For: AS/HFA Young Adults, 16 - 22 yrs (those who have left school)
Location: Daly Street, Lower Hutt
Dates: Weds/Thurs from 3/4 May - 28/29 June
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Cost: $120 per course
Thanks go to the Todd Foundation who have subsidised the high cost of this course
No courses are planned at this stage, as our usual Course Leader will be on a well deserved break!
For: AS/HFA Teens, 13 - 16+ yrs (of college age)
Location: not yet confirmed
Dates: one evening per week during the school term
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Cost: $100 per course
Thanks go to the Todd Foundation who have subsidised the high cost of this course
We have exciting news of a brand new ASD Playgroup that is to be set up this year:
Raewynn, the Kelson Community Centre Co-ordinator and mother of 2 ASD children, has realised the need for an ASD playgroup where parents and children feel comfortable and where they are understood by others.
This is an informal group for pre-school children on the Autism Spectrum. (e.g. Asperger Syndrome, Autism) and their parents. If your child is attending kindy and cannot attend the playgroup, the please still feel free to pop in for a coffee/tea and a chat.
START DATE: Monday, 13 February
9.30am - 10.30 am
VENUE: Kelson Community Centre
5a Timaru Grove, Kelson.
Please bring a gold coin donation to help cover the cost of refreshments
Please contact Raewynn on 565 0228 (or email us at the Foundation) if you have any queries or if you are interested in attending, so that she can get an idea of numbers.
If you are also able to help out in any way or have any pre-school toys to donate to this great group, then please do get in touch!
There have been many changes at the Teen Club this year:
Our old venue at The Phonic Centre was closed for renovation, so new premises had to be found very quickly! A very suitable and great new venue was found at a church hall in Lower Hutt. We hope to stay at this location for some time to come. There are great facilities and plenty of space for activities.
We had a fabulous Open Night in May for teens in Wellington and a great time was had by all with various activities on offer - rock painting; badminton; pool and much more. Some of those that visited have now joined us at the Teen Club, although we have also had to say a sad goodbye to some of our older members, who have been loyal and active members of the club over the past few years. We wish them all the best for their future endeavours!
A Bowling Night was the outing at the end of the Second Term. Great fun was had by all!
The Teen Club is a social group in Wellington aimed at school-age teens. It aims to provide a relaxed and safe environment where teens with Aspergers can make new friends, while trying out different social activities.
The Teen Club is run every second week during term time and is running at the moment on a Monday evening 7-9pm.
The activities are dependant on the interests of the group - In the last year we have gone to H2O Xtreme, had several pizza and video nights, games nights, painted t-shirts and even made a small mini golf course! 2 Youth workers and volunteer teen buddies help out and encourage participation.
The Teen Club is partly funded by the Winton and Margaret Bear Foundation which helps keeps costs down, with family contributions usually being about $50 a term.
If you live in the Wellington region and are interested in finding out more, then please contact the Co-ordinator
on (04) 920 9473 or email foundation@entercloud9.com
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A very full bus! |
Each year Cloud 9 is proud to support the "Pack the Bus" appeal which seeks to gather goods to help less fortunate families at Christmas time. As well as helping out the community it also raises the profile of Cloud 9 and the Children's Foundation. Below is a thank you letter received from the organisers to Raymond Thompson, Chairman of Cloud 9 and the Children's Foundation:
Dear Ray,
Ray, thank you for once again joining us as a sponsor of "Pack the Bus" for the Wellington City Mission. This year has been incredibly successful and our volunteer helpers are still sorting and distributing the mountain of donated food and gifts.
Each year the people from Strathmore to Silverstream demonstrate a growing understanding of the struggle their fellow Wellingtonians face in managing their families
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Some of Cloud 9's "The Tribe" cast with some treats to add to the bus |
simple needs. The reason that "Pack the Bus" is necessary becomes a lesson in life for us all, a means to show our children that we should care about others.
In 2004 support from the schools in this region has been awesome. Entire schools lined up to sing carols with our bus crew, pupils that patiently filed onboard to place a generously offered gift on the overflowing Stagecoach bus.
We do need your help and support to run this annual event, we are truly grateful.
From the Wellington City Mission, Father Des, Donna and Karen and the tireless RadioWorks organisers Sarah, Katie, our wonderful and varied choirs and Olly and Sam who helped because it was good to do. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you.
Regards
Simon Marsh
Director Group Sales and Marketing
CanWest Radio and RadioWorks Wellington
Cloud 9 Children's Foundation Teen Club has had a really awesome year! The current group is made up of 8 boys and 2 girls aged from 14-20 years. The teens use the group to access a range of different activities, to improve friendship skills and most importantly to have fun with their peers. The group is based at a local Youth Centre where teens have the chance to play pool and basketball, arts & craft activities, play a variety of board games and guided drama activities to improve self confidence and self-expression.
For the end of year event, the teens decided they'd like to all meet up at the H2O Extreme Pools Complex in Upper Hutt. Our two volunteer youth helpers, a small group of parents and Janet (who co-ordinates the teen club) & her husband Terry all came along to make sure the teens had a safe and enjoyable time. We had a delicious barbecue (thanks Terry & Janet!) and the teens enjoyed the various activities at the Pools - they had a great time bodysurfing the wave pool, experiencing the rapid river ride and some even bravely tried out some of the zoom slides.
More photos can be seen by going to the photo gallery (see link to the
left).
We are very proud of this group and more importantly we are really proud of the young people who access it. We are delighted that the friendships formed through the group have spilled over into their regular lives and some are now meeting up outside the youth club as well. Here's hoping the group continues to be successful...
For the last three years the Cloud 9 Children's Foundation has put together a summer programme for children with AS. The comprehensive list of activities has enabled families to have a variety of activities to attend during the summer break and hence providing safe and enjoyable family orientated programmes to look forward to.
Please read all the information carefully before registering. Any assistance or donation of funds or goods would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Foundation office if you think you have something to offer. Siblings and family members are encouraged to attend all holiday events
We are planning a Christmas party at the end of November to celebrate Christmas & the start of the summer holidays. This year Santa will give each child a small gift, so please do let us know as soon as possible if you are planning to attend, so no-one misses out. Please also bring a small plate of food to share.
Date: Friday November 26th
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
The programme will include:
PLEASE CONTACT THE FOUNDATION TO REGISTER!
A dinosaur party where the dinosaur museum comes to us! Kids can see and interact with museum quality dinosaur fossils & relics.
When: Wednesday Jan 12th
Time: 10am - 12 midday
Cost: $5 per family
Optional extra: kids can make a very cool large fossil cast to keep ($5 extra per child for this activity)
Plans are underwar for a family camp in March next year at Camp Anderson, Riversdale Beach, Wairarapa. This will be a parent run camp and is a great opportunity for families to come together and experience a relaxing weekend by the beach.
Please note that parents and caregivers will need to take responsibility for their own children's behaviour and safety. If you wish to register your interest for this please let us know as soon as possible.
As well as the activities above and those listed from other organisations (see Other N&E), you may just wish to get together with some other AS families to enjoy an outing. We are happy to take phone numbers and help you to arrange a day out together. Some examples of some things to do:
* H2O Extreme Fun Day Out. Enjoy a barbecue lunch and swimming
* Day trip to the Zoo
* Art gallery adventure at the Dowse
* Te Papa activity days
* Movies
* Avalon Mini Putt & swim at Naenae Pools
* Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
* Take the ferry across to Day's Bay and then have a picnic lunch
* Bushwalk at Butterfly Creek or Kaitoke Regional Park
Please phone Foundation Co-ordinator ph 920 9473 or foundation@entercloud9.com
with a day & venue that would suit you and we'll put you in touch with others.
The Family Planning Association Wellington Education Service is offering a free sexuality and
relationships workshop for parents, family, whanau and carers of people with
disabilties. This is an initiative to offer training to a group of people who undertake a huge amount of work in society, are regularly unpaid and
under-recognised.
The aim of this workshop is to provide education and information which will
enhance parents, families, whanau and carers confidence in their role as carers or support people for dealing with sexuality and relationship issues
appropriately with people with disabilities.
Date and time:
Wednesday 1st December, 8pm - 9:30pm.
Venue:
Cloud 9 Buildings, 1 Fairway Drive, Lower Hutt
It would be great if you could confirm that you will be attending this workshop with Barbara.
For more information please call Kirsty Pillay on 384 4349, otherwise we will look forward to seeing you there!