Ms. Lisa Portelli - Adult and Youth Services Librarian at the Milton Public Library was our guest last night. Our council members all thought she was pretty amazing, with lots and lots of information to share. We went on a behind the scenes tour of the library, learning about cataloguing, restocking, packing, putting books on hold and re-shelving. Next on the agenda was fundraising and our council voted to raise funds and awareness for sensory toys for the library. This will help those families who are looking for sensory options as well as make the library experience a positive one.
All our council members are advocates for people with disabilities. They believe that they can build a foundation of awareness that will foster change in our community and society as a whole. It is wonderful to be surrounded by such positive individuals. Together they are going forge positive change, of that I am sure -Judith ElaineHYDAC - Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council meeting at our Oakville Public Library on Navy street was last night and the discussion was all about ‘community’.
What does the word community mean to families with kids living with disabilities, siblings, parents, grandparents, friends? What supports/resources are critical for a community to have in order to embrace sustainability? Do you feel you belong? At 7:00pm the HYDAC council opened the floor to community members. Conversation was flowing around expectations, accommodations, and sustainability. Here are some of the key highlight points of the meeting. What does community mean to you? “To me, community represents a group of like minded people who live and work together in a way that benefits everybody equally. It’s not just about one, but many.” - Erin “Community is a sense of belonging, a feeling of welcome.” Jaqueline “Community can be quite eclectic :artsy, determined, political, sporty, hard working, passionate. It can also be needy, lazy, forgetful. But, it’s all about creating a safe space, a welcoming place, a motivating space that is powered by inclusivity.” Jenna “Your effort towards a collective is what’s needed in a community.” “Everyone has a different perspective on community, Especially those who feel as though they were never part of one.” Allison “Community and care go together. It’s about people who may be united over an issue, or people who feel connected, a group of friends, supporters. No matter what definition, the people who make up community care about each other enough to create a system of love and support.” - Patrick “ For me, community is thinking about more than just yourself. It’s about group efforts, larger goals, and fitting in.” - Kathy “What does community mean to you? It’s about accepting differences, being open to creating accommodations for those that need something different, snd creating a welcoming space for everyone. It’s about no one feeling abandoned, left out. It’s about belonging. It’s about a great BIG family.” Judith Elaine |
HYDACRecaps of our monthly meetings at the OPL. Archives
January 2023
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