As a leading program in the field of Adapted Physical activity it is our job to transfer knowledge about individuals living with disabilities and to provide opportunities for those to succeed to their full potential.
The S.M.I.L.E. program has been giving opportunities to individuals for many years. Some have been able to use the skills they have learn here, to be able to cope with their day to day situations. Others have gone on to become athletes (Keven Smith-Worthylake, David "Bambi" Bambrick) and compete at high levels on the national stage. Whatever their situation is, our goal is to make it better.
But, first and foremost the S.M.I.L.E. program has been an advocate that EVERYONE is a person first. We are not defined by what we do but instead of who we are. Sydney Crosby is a hockey player, not a hockey player named Sydney. Matt lives with Autism, not the Autistic kid Matt...We have to first treat people as people and we can successfully go from there. Be aware of the decisions you make and take time to look at the ABILITIES individuals possess.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Big week for the SMILE Program
First of all, we love that picture below...if that doesn't bring a smile to your face...you should think about getting some rest!
The program is seeing some great strides this summer, thanks in large part to the summer staff we have in place. We are so fortunate to have our program run through a university with so many young, eager and bright students here to help out. Surround yourself with the right people and great things will happen...exhibit A = 30 YEARS OF THE SMILE PROGRAM!!! We're doing something right and the people have 90% to do with that!
This week we have been invited to be part of the Axemen Hockey dinner which takes place annually at the Acadia Arena. Shana and Alyssa (awesome summer students) are going to be on site giving away 25 tickets to the Chris Crowley Event!!! The tickets have been purchased by the Axemen Hockey Team. Coach Darren Burns, an Acadia Alum and former Leader in the SMILE program, has been more than generous during his tenure with the Axemen. You can always bet that half a dozen Axemen players volunteer with the program each year!
Shana and Alyssa will also have a booth set up promoting the SMILE program, introducing the friends of SMILE program and Donor of the Day program. Great initiatives to reconnect with the SMILE alumni and SMILE community.
Chris Crowley will be here Sunday to talk to us about healthy living and an active lifestyle. Tickets are only $5 with a free will offering at the door. 100% of the proceeds will go to the SMILE program. Get you tickets from the Box office at Acadia or Box of Delights in Wolfville!! 350 tickets have been sold to this event, which promises to be very powerful!
Stay in touch!
The program is seeing some great strides this summer, thanks in large part to the summer staff we have in place. We are so fortunate to have our program run through a university with so many young, eager and bright students here to help out. Surround yourself with the right people and great things will happen...exhibit A = 30 YEARS OF THE SMILE PROGRAM!!! We're doing something right and the people have 90% to do with that!
This week we have been invited to be part of the Axemen Hockey dinner which takes place annually at the Acadia Arena. Shana and Alyssa (awesome summer students) are going to be on site giving away 25 tickets to the Chris Crowley Event!!! The tickets have been purchased by the Axemen Hockey Team. Coach Darren Burns, an Acadia Alum and former Leader in the SMILE program, has been more than generous during his tenure with the Axemen. You can always bet that half a dozen Axemen players volunteer with the program each year!
Shana and Alyssa will also have a booth set up promoting the SMILE program, introducing the friends of SMILE program and Donor of the Day program. Great initiatives to reconnect with the SMILE alumni and SMILE community.
Chris Crowley will be here Sunday to talk to us about healthy living and an active lifestyle. Tickets are only $5 with a free will offering at the door. 100% of the proceeds will go to the SMILE program. Get you tickets from the Box office at Acadia or Box of Delights in Wolfville!! 350 tickets have been sold to this event, which promises to be very powerful!
Stay in touch!
Monday, 20 June 2011
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Why don't you blog about it...
The SMILE program is definitely at a high point in its existence but not without all the work that has come before it...we are now approaching its 30th year...longer than Subway has been in Atlantic Canada.
The program has seen thousands of people involved both as volunteers and and as participants and its certainly still a coin toss as to who benefits most...for now, we'll call it a tie. The number of Acadia Students who spend their time each week and every program day is remarkable and now totaling 281 people per semester.
Everyone you go around the valley people have heard of the program and a large portion have been involved or witnessed its impact one way or another...The program looks forward to carrying well into the next 30 years and with the continued support of volunteers, parents, participants, community members, Acadia University and SMILE enthusiasts, it will continue to provide an opportunity for growth and development for all pieces involved
The program has seen thousands of people involved both as volunteers and and as participants and its certainly still a coin toss as to who benefits most...for now, we'll call it a tie. The number of Acadia Students who spend their time each week and every program day is remarkable and now totaling 281 people per semester.
Everyone you go around the valley people have heard of the program and a large portion have been involved or witnessed its impact one way or another...The program looks forward to carrying well into the next 30 years and with the continued support of volunteers, parents, participants, community members, Acadia University and SMILE enthusiasts, it will continue to provide an opportunity for growth and development for all pieces involved
Thursday, 16 June 2011
Chris Crowley Coming to Wolfville
We are excited to have Chris Crowley of the best selling book Younger Next Year* come to Wolfville June 26, 2011 to speak.
The event takes place at 7:00pm at the Atlantic Theatre Festival...Tickets are only $5.
Mr. Crowley has started to send waves across North America with is ideas and practices to staying healthier and improving quality of life for your entire life. He has a great message, as well as an engaging speaker and certainly someone you are going to want to see in action.
We are very fortunate to have this combined with the Life Cycle Event that takes place during the day on June 26.
Check out our website smile.acadiau.ca for more info.
The event takes place at 7:00pm at the Atlantic Theatre Festival...Tickets are only $5.
Mr. Crowley has started to send waves across North America with is ideas and practices to staying healthier and improving quality of life for your entire life. He has a great message, as well as an engaging speaker and certainly someone you are going to want to see in action.
We are very fortunate to have this combined with the Life Cycle Event that takes place during the day on June 26.
Check out our website smile.acadiau.ca for more info.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
S.M.I.L.E. Summer Team
The S.M.I.L.E. summer team is off to a great start...Acadia Students Shana and Alyssa have been putting in solid days and yielding amazing results. They have been able to collect over 500 names of past volunteers and participants.
They have also started working on our "Donor of the Day" program for the 2011-2012 academic year. This will be a great opportunity for Businesses, families and others to connect with the Program on a personal level. With their contribution they will provide funds to assist individual days to enhance the learning environment for each student.
Huge thanks to Shana and Alyssa for their tremendous work already this summer!
They have also started working on our "Donor of the Day" program for the 2011-2012 academic year. This will be a great opportunity for Businesses, families and others to connect with the Program on a personal level. With their contribution they will provide funds to assist individual days to enhance the learning environment for each student.
Huge thanks to Shana and Alyssa for their tremendous work already this summer!
First Blog
This is my first blog, I find it difficult to understand if I should as a program blog in the first person...but my team here in the office have decided to sit on it and vote at a later date. Just hired two summer students to get the ball rolling on our Alumni list and connect with the thousands of people who have gone through this program, volunteers and participants alike!
We at the SMILE program want to know what you are doing these days, where your paths have lead you and what stories you can share to the SMILE community. We are approaching our 30th year of existence and we are looking forward to contributing to another 30 years in the Annapolis Valley!
Be well and stay in touch!
We at the SMILE program want to know what you are doing these days, where your paths have lead you and what stories you can share to the SMILE community. We are approaching our 30th year of existence and we are looking forward to contributing to another 30 years in the Annapolis Valley!
Be well and stay in touch!
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