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A!TLC Wind UpJune 20th, 2024, was a wonderful day in the park filled with many laughs, cake, good food and amazing friends. It was great to be together for the A!TLC Wind Up. We are better together.
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Angie, Kennen, Heather, Dean
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2024 AGM
The 2024 AGM took place June 25th at the University of Regina. The evening began with a light supper followed by a welcome and introduction from the Vice Board Chair, Taylor Carson, and finsished with the business of the meeting.
Thank you to Michael Dubnewick and Nikita Rathwell who have thoughtfully served their three-year terms with the organization. We would like to welcome James Daschuk, who has been nominated to the Astonished Board of Directors for a three-year term.
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Remembering Ryan Matheison
If you had the good fortune to know Ryan Matheison you were most likely blessed by his smile, and his interest in life and in you. Ryan died on Tuesday, March 5 at the age of 39. In the last few years, Ryan has lived with a lot of pain in his body, but it never stopped him from cheering on his favourite teams. Judy Humphries, Ryan’s high school teacher and long-time-friend wrote these words in praise of Ryan: Ryan was strong, wise beyond his years, patient, courageous, and positive regardless of pain, injustice, or circumstance. He was one of the finest people in my life. Tighten up the skates Ryan Mathieson. It's your turn to soar.
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Ryan & Aamad January 2024
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Membership
Our annual membership year is June 1 to May 31. We invite you to become a member or to renew your current membership.
Core Members - Young adults 18-35 years of age with complex physical disAbilities, who support the dream, vision and guiding principles of the organization are core members and as such are not required to pay membership fees. Membership is free.
Individuals and Families - Everyone who indicates interest, supports the dreams, vision, and guiding principles of the organization, participates, and contributes as they are able. Annual Individual Membership is $25.00. Annual Family Membership is $40.00.
Click here for membership form.
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Gala Our 2024 Spring Gala was a wonderful success. Glenn Sawatzky set the tone with his keyboard skills and mellow voice. Student Researcher, Avery Ottenbreit, and Board Chair, Brenda Rossow-Kimball guided us through the evening. The team from the Atlas Hotel provided yummy appetizers, and Jodi Robson of Bakes & Beads wowed us with a gorgeous four-layer cake.
Thank you to all of our donors who contributed to the abundance of wonderful choices on the silent auction tables. Thank you to our major raffle sponsors, The Ottenbreit Family and Broyhill Holsteins. Thank you to Hartley Images, the event photographer. Thank you to our event sponsors whose generosity helps us grow the work of Astonished! Thank you to our table sponsors.
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Growing Gratitude
- Brenda and Ruth's Gratitude Story: “We are grateful for family, friends, community and the gift of the ever-evolving Astonished community!”
The 2024 Grow Gratitude campaign runs from June 1 to July 31.
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Big Sky Summer Adventure
The Big Sky Summer Adventure is in full swing heading into week 5! We have eaten pizza in the park, done a scavenger hunt, attended a baseball game and have many more adventures to come!
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great night for a scavenger hunt
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off on the next adventure
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Summer Literacy
The First week of Summer Literacy was a success! Amazing race and celebrating birthdays! We can’t wait for more fun to come!
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A Heartfelt Thank You to Brenda!
We extend our deepest gratitude to Brenda MacLauchlan for her extraordinary dedication and countless contributions to Astonished! Brenda is a member of one of the founding families who helped establish Astonished! and has been a pillar of our community ever since. With her steadfast vision and commitment to inclusion, she played an essential role in mentoring our original staff and continues to guide us as one of our Vision Keepers.
For over a decade, Brenda has generously served as our volunteer Communications Coordinator. Her work has been pivotal, from managing our website and assisting with social media communication to writing newsletters and handling communications for our fundraisers. Brenda’s uncanny ability to tell the ‘Astonished Story’ has connected our community and brought our mission to life, ensuring that our message of inclusion and community reaches far and wide.
As Brenda steps away from her communications role, she is working closely with Justin to ensure a smooth transition. Rest assured, Brenda is not leaving Astonished; she will remain an active and dedicated member of our community, continuing to support our mission with her passion, presence and mentorship.
Thank you, Brenda, for everything you have done and continue to do for Astonished!
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Introducing Justin
Justin Rayner joined the A! team in May 2024. Justin brings experience in communications and design, as well as a background in nonprofits and the disability community.
“I was an athlete growing up. I played hockey, baseball, volleyball and raced motocross.
In December of 2004, I had a hockey injury that resulted in a Spinal Cord Injury. I’ve been a quadriplegic for 20 years.
Since my injury, I’ve continued to pursue my goals and dreams. I went to school for website design and development, I became a freelance graphic designer, I provide communications support for multiple nonprofit organizations around Regina, including A! and I became a hockey scout in the WHL.
I am enjoying being part of the A! Team, looking forward to being part of the wonderful Astonished! community, and I appreciate the opportunity to work with such a great organization.”
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Thank You
We are thankful for our collaboration with the City of Regina. Astonished! receives funding from the City of Regina Social Development Grant - to partially fund the Social Club.
In the letter accompanying the grant, the city wrote “Your program provides supportive, meaningful, and accessible social, recreational, and cultural activities to young adults with complex physical disabilities. The committee acknowledged that your program responds to a great need in community and aligns strongly to the City’s social development priorities.”
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Thank You
Thank you, Fidelity Investments, for supporting the work of Astonished through a generous donation to support our overall programs.
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Truth and Reconciliation
The Student Researchers in A!TLC continue engaging with Truth and Reconciliation. This past semester they have focused on Indigenous Studies and Culture. They have been learning about and engaging with Indigenous people's societal structure, traditional clothing and ceremonies.
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Jody Robson, Paige, Aamad
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Thank You
Thank you to our volunteers. You helped to make this semester fly. Elisa Wong, Esme Corkish, Esther Adebayo, Priya Verma, Amanda LaRose, Mishwa Patel, Wade Fullerton, Aamad Abu Huraira.
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University of Regina
3737 Wascana Parkway
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Regina, SK | S4S 0A2 CA |
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