New Look, Same Vision
Eleven years ago, DDRC clients and employees took to the streets in bright yellow t-shirts to spread the important message that everyone belongs. Since then, that message has become the agency’s vision, and the belief that guides all of our programs and services.
After celebrating the brand’s 10 year anniversary in 2013, we wanted to find a new way to continue to share this important message.There was no doubt that everyone belongs™ was here to stay — but how could we get our communities excited about it all over again? That’s when we decided to give our logo a makeover.
After nine months of planning and preparation, we are excited to unveil the new everyone belongs™ logo:
We hope that you like our new look as much as we do, and look forward to sharing it with our great city!
Do you believe that communities are stronger when everyone belongs™? Visit our online store, and bring the message that everyone belongs™ to your community!
Left: DDRC clients and employees during everyone belongs™ week in 2003. Right: DDRC employees at the new logo launch party!
Meet Our Team Leaders: Charmaine Wong
Since 1996, the DDRC’s PACE program has been supporting young adults as they transition from high school into the working world. Team Leader Charmaine Wong gave us the inside scoop on what it’s like working with the PACE team, and how she came to work at the DDRC.
How long have you been with the DDRC?
Just over three years. I started in March 2011 as a CRW [Community Resource Worker] for the South Team. In June of 2012, I became the South Team Leader, and one year later, in June 2013, I became the PACE Team Leader!
What made you want to work here?
I used to work with kids at an after school program, teaching life skills. But the hours didn’t really work for me, so I started looking elsewhere. I studied psychology, and I always had a sense of wanting to help people in the community. I came across the DDRC job posting and thought I’d give it a try without
quite knowing what it really was. The interview went really well, and now I’m here!
What is the best part of being a Team Leader?
I think the best part is seeing the team be recognized by others, and seeing their positive energy and attitude infect the whole agency. I can’t take credit for it; the whole PACE Team makes me very proud.
Can you share a recent client success story for the PACE Team?
One of our clients is graduating from the Professional Cooking Program at SAIT. It’s a two year program, and we’ve been doing a lot of side-by-side support: taking notes in class, creating study plans with him, and talking to his professors. We helped him get a practicum experience and now he’s graduating. The team put in a lot of hard work.
If you could have any question answered, in the world, what would it be?
That’s a hard question! If I had the power to know the answer to any question, I guess it would be “how can I best motivate our team to have the best successes they can?”
What is ILS?
From Lincoln Lane group home, to the Approved Home Program, to the Community Living Network, the DDRC has always recognized a strong sense of “home” as essential for the clients that we support. On April 1st, we took another step towards integrated and independent living for adults with developmental disabilities by re-branding the “Community Living Network” as “Integrated Living Services,” or simply “ILS.”
What does this mean? We’ve taken what our clients and employees love about the Community Living Network (CLN) program, and made it even better. DDRC Integrated Living Practitioners (ILPs) will continue to support clients to live independently in the communities of their choosing. We will still offer clients and ILPs the opportunities to live as roommates, or to have a Community Resource Worker check-in on a client in their home, supporting him or her with everyday tasks. We will continue to help clients meet their goals. However, we have made a few improvements:
- We have an enhanced focus on providing a high Quality of Life for all ILS clients
- ILPs will undergo additional training to guarantee the highest level of confidence and comfort for them and our clients
- Streamlined processes, to make them easier and more efficient
- ILPs will have access to a greater number of internal DDRC resources
- Clients will have more opportunities to be involved in their communities, and to live fully integrated lives
- And of course, what change would be complete without a brand new logo:
We’re excited about these changes, and currently looking to grow our team. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about how to get involved, please visit our website, e-mail [email protected], or call (403) 240-3111.
What clients are saying about ILS:
“I think that it’s awesome … I found when I was at home, I was isolated and couldn’t do much… when I went to live with [someone from ILS] I could do stuff like go on trips and go sailing”
–Leonka Kaluha
“I learned a lot from being in this program. It’s provided me with a great sense of my independence and the things I want to work towards.”
– Stephen Oakleaf
“This is a good program to be in. You meet different people … I think it’s marvelous.”
–John MacIsaac
Video: Integrated Living Services
We asked current ILS clients and employees to describes the program using only 1 word. This is what they said:
Why are people joining Team DDRC?
It can be hard to find motivation on Mondays. That’s why, for the past three months, the DDRC Fundraising Committee has been publishing weekly “Motivation Monday” videos on the agency’s intranet site, featuring short interviews with individuals who will be participating in the 2014 Calgary Marathon Charity Challenge with Team DDRC. However, we don’t want to keep all of this inspiration to ourselves — we’ve decided to share it with you!
Here’s what past and present Team DDRC supporters are saying about the event:
“I d
id my very first 5K [last year]. It was amazing! Actually the whole experience was amazing – the race, the team spirit, the cause. Turns out I actually like running, so I’ve continued running and it’s been a very good thing.”
– Alex Gonzalez, Graphics Creator & IT Support
“I think everyone should participate because it supports the agency and what we do. That’s why we’re all here, we love the DDRC!”
–Marg Tomlin, IT Manager
“Even if you’re just walking the 5K, crossing that finish line feels great. There’s a lot of people, and a lot of screaming, and it’s a big energy rush finishing!”
–Brooklyn Bruce, DDRC Disability Services Support
“Anyone can do it — even if you’re nervous or scared! It’s not about being the fastest person there or doing the greatest distance. It’s just about getting together and supporting the DDRC. It’s really fun! And if you’re not comfortable participating in one of the races, sponsoring an athlete is a great way to be a part of Team DDRC!”
–Caitlin Brown, Communications and Development Coordinator
“It was great watching everybody run across the finish line, and even the ones that walked across!”
–Carole Mulgrew, DDRC Receptionist
“It was a lot of fun! It was a great group of people and the weather was awesome. It was a really fun day! Do it for yourself and for your own enjoyment.”
–Kate Kerr, Director of Communications and Development
“It’s a lot of fu
n and it’s for a great cause!”
–Cassandra Therens, Northeast Team Leader
“It was great to go out and cheer on the rest of the DDRC members. When I first started [training for the 5K in 2013] I wasn’t a runner, and I’m still not a runner. You just have to go at your own pace. If you need to run and walk, or even just walk, do what you’re comfortable with and just have fun with it.”
–Kara Garner-Welsh, Volunteer and Development Manager
To register for the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, click here
Not able to run or walk on June 1st? Come cheer us on at the Stampede Grounds!
Want to sponsor one of our great athletes? Visit our team page.