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AHEAD THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT GIANT STEPS
A SCHOOL AND THERAPY CENTRE FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL‐AGED CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
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This September marked the start of a landmark year here at Giant Steps – the 20th anniversary of our school & therapy centre for elementary school‐aged children with autism.
Modelled on the Giant Steps program in Montreal, it was the hard work, dedication and persistence of a core group of families, and the foresight and support of the York Region District School Board that led to us opening our doors in 1995. Twenty years later, we continue our commitment to the model of intervention and integration that we were so passionate about then – providing coordinated, individualized programs of academics, life skills and specialized therapies to children with autism, and supporting them in their neighbourhood schools.
We are especially grateful for your support as Giant Steps does not receive any government or school board funding for our therapy programs ‐ the speech, behaviour and occupational therapy programs that target and treat the unique challenges of autism, enabling kids to participate so much more meaningfully in their families, schools and communities.
Our hats are off to you, the donors, families, friends and staff that have enabled so many kids with autism!
Twice a week, Jordan Maloney is busy in our primary classroom, assisting 10 year-old Ricardo with his math and literacy lessons.
When Giant Steps’ doors opened in 1995, Jordan was one of our very first students, his parents part of a core group of families who advocated long and hard for the establishment of the Giant Steps program here in the GTA. Jordan is now 30, and giving back to students like the 11 year-old boy he was 20 years ago.
It is clear to everyone in the classroom that Jordan and Ricardo have developed a special connection and friendship. In addition to his work with Ricardo, Jordan’s volunteer activities at Giant Steps include engaging students during recess and in our gym during physical education activities, assisting students during snack and lunch times and providing clerical assistance in the classroom.
Thank you Jordan, a real member of the Giant Steps team!
Impacting kids through academics, therapies, life skills integration
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A special volunteer What goes around comes around!
While Canadian statistics are often quoted at 1 in 94, new data published in March 2014 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 1 in 68 children are now affected by autism‐ 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.
This figure represents a 120% increase since 2002. The reason for this increase is unknown. Learn more at www.cdc.gov
Autism grows again
Now in our 20th year, Giant Steps thanks you for enabling children with autism!
Visit our website, follow us on Facebook or get on our mailing list...
www.giantstepstoronto.ca
facebook.com/GiantStepsToronto
It’s Easy to stay in touch
From Jack’s parents
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Giant Steps was thrilled to welcome Susan Hay and her team from Global News Toronto this year ‐ Susan spent a day with us in February and featured Giant Steps on her program “Making a Difference”.
“Making a Difference” is a segment on Global News which airs Mondays and Wednesday evenings and highlights organizations and individuals who are impacting their communities in the GTA.
Global’s focus was on our primary classroom and included an interview with Laura, mother of 4 year‐old William, about the impact the Giant Steps’ program was having on her son.
Watch our story on Global News’ website: globalnews.ca/tag/making‐a‐difference
Global News Toronto features Giant Steps
When our son Jack was first diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) at age 4, we did not know where to turn. Then Giant Steps came into our lives.
Giant Steps has provided Jack with a range of therapies as well as regular academic curriculum. Jack is integrated into our neighbourhood school with the support of a Giant Steps’ Program Assistant three afternoons a week and is doing great.
Now in Grade 5 and 10 years old, this co-ordinated approach to treating his ASD has made a great difference in Jack’s life. He is now communicative, confident and social beyond what we ever would have thought when he first entered the school.
The input, training, and support networks provided to us by the Giant Steps program have also helped our family with our day-to-day approach to dealing with his disability.
Words cannot express our gratitude for the Giant Steps’ team of teachers, therapists, and program assistants who have made such a difference in our lives.
- Martin and Nina, Jack’s parents
Success stories & news
10 10 years at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Sunday October 19, 2014
133 participants, 1,100 donations Featured Charity status $80,000 raised this year & counting $900,000 since 2004! Marking our 20th year, and 10 years at the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Giant Steps was thrilled to be a Featured Charity alongside Loft Community Services and the Asthma Society of Canada. Our families and friends put it all out there on a cold and windy fall morning in the city, running and walking in the 5 km, half and full marathons. With a booth at the pre‐race Expo and post‐race in Nathan Phillips Square, Giant Steps and our lime green t‐shirts were everywhere on race weekend! Huge thanks go out to each and every one of you, and all our teams and donors since 2004. Giant Steps has now raised an amazing $900,000 at the STWM – critical funding for our therapy programs for children with autism!
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Reading buddy & XBox social groups in our Bridal Bash Foundation Resource Centre Skating, swimming and cooking lessons Street safety outings Tracking Team Canada at the Olympics Food truck visit Valentine, birthday & Hallowe’en celebrations Sports & Rec Club 3 evenings/week Yes I Can! Award earned by 13 year‐old Frankie Cheering on the Leafs at the ACC, courtesy of Autism Speaks Canada
Siblings Fun Night in our KRG Children’s Charitable Foundation Climbing Centre Shayam Kaushal Charitable Foundation Life Skills Room opening Parent training sessions with therapists and teachers Raising the flag for World Autism Awareness Day Parent education on autism research at Holland‐Bloorview, iPad apps and iPads in our classrooms Educational placements for students from Humber, Seneca & George Brown Colleges and high school co‐op programs Sharing our Unity for Autism Snoezelen Room with other schools
Collaboration with Children’s Treatment Network on student communication plans, and with Early Intervention Services on Pivotal Response Training Professional Development on Proloquo2go communication software, first aid and CPR training, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training, Therapressure Protocol Training, Hidden Curriculum social skills, Edmark Reading Program, Pivotal Response Training, positive reinforcement practices, Zones of Regulation
Annual Raffle for Kids with Autism Circle of Friends dinner & dance LCBO donation drive Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Over $180,000 raised at our events
The year in review
A busy and productive year at Giant Steps
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Our students receive individualized, coordinated programs of academics, life skills training and speech, behaviour and occupational therapies. In addition, many of our children are integrated into their neighbourhood schools with Giant Steps’ support. Here are some highlights of the activities that enriched our core programs this year.
The Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation
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S E R V I N G C H I L D R E N W I T H A U T I S M , G I A N T S T E P S I S A S C H O O L & T H E R A P Y C E N T R E A F F I L I A T E D W I T H T H E Y O R K R E G I O N D I S T R I C T S C H O O L B O A R D
To donate online & receive an instant tax receipt, visit www.CanadaHelps.org
To make a Visa or Mastercard donation by phone, call us at 905‐881‐3104
To donate by cheque, mail to Giant Steps Toronto 35 Flowervale Road, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L3T 4J3
www.giantstepstoronto.ca
Appreciating our donors
An Evening in October
We couldn’t do it without you OUR MAJOR GIFT DONORS
Paul B. Helliwell Foundation
Reg. Charitable # 898362579RR0001
Reach out, donate now
Alice & Murray Maitland Foundation
The Ben and Hilda Katz Charitable Foundation
Kiwanis Club of North York
Giant Steps’ therapy programs, technology, equipment and resources are 100% funded by our donors, our fundraising activities and our families. It’s a team effort, and we are grateful for each and every donation.
Our donors of $500 & more - from November 2013
Aqua Tech Pump and Power
Associazione San Vincenzo Valleradice
Bank of Montreal
The BBQ Gourmet
Benchmark Benefit Solutions
Blair Building Materials Inc.
Brettler/Mintz Foundation
Build‐A‐Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation
Valerie Burdo
Clearway Construction Inc.
CN Employees' and Pensioners' Community Fund
Cobra Float Service Inc.
Con‐Drain Company Limited
Bernie & Jolene Conti
William Crothers
Danny Cisterna
Deloitte & Touche Foundation Canada
Sandra Delzotto
John Di Poce Management
Domco Foodservices Canada Limited
Dufferin Construction Company
Dynex Construction Inc.
The Elgez family
Emco Supply.
Empire Foods Ltd.
The Fitzpatrick family
Flemingdon Park Golf Club
Frozen Pond
Gary Bluestein Charitable Foundation
The George Lunan Foundation
Malcolm Graham
Grazie Ristorante (Vaughan)
Alan Hill
Hometech Electronics
Intercity Realty Inc., Brokerage
Arlene Kern & Michel Paradis
Kinross Gold Corporation
Deidre Lam & Yves Gadler
Peggie Lam
Pamela Liegler
Little Morello Vettese Segreto LLP
MacGregor Socks
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Stephen Marsh
Dan Mayer
MCA Precision Machining
Memme Construction
Rob Micieli
Howat Noble
North American Produce Buyers Ltd.
North Rock Group Ltd.
Nortrax
Parente Borean LLP
Daniele Ponzi
The Pottruff Family Foundation
Radiant Fine Jewellers
RDA Insurance
Kevin & Tracey Riley
Rockwell Contracting Ltd.
Michael Rolland
Samuel, Son & Co., Limited
The Schulich Foundation
Craig & Beverley Scott
Robert & Karen Scott
Ellen Shek
David Singer
Steve Singer
Stronach & Sons Inc.
TACC Construction Ltd.
The Visram family
Risa Whitnall & Steven Gryfe
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