The library has collected over 90 pieces of art, poetry and letters from youth that have been printed and sent to Birkdale senior centre to bring joy and happiness to the seniors residing there. She also got permission from our crew to send them to other senior Milton residents. “Send them to as many as possible!” Was the consensus.The Town of Oakville offered a similar program called ‘Message in a bottle’ and our HYDAC crew participated in that as well sending lots and lots of pictures and poetry to help fill the bottles with positive messages of hope and happiness - GO HYDAC GO!
Being home for close to two months has been hard for many of our youth. Many miss the patterns of routines, friends and familiarity. So yesterday during our mental health check our crew opened up and shared how they truly feel. “Mental health week is an important part of our meeting. It’s a reminder to all families to do a check in, talk about feelings, fears, and anxiety.” Says Ms. Judith “let everyone express their emotions. It’s healthy.” For national youth week we spoke about environment. Even though we are at home and in our neighbourhoods we can still do something for our planet. *Maddison and Elaine noticed that the Milton library that is close to them has garbage in the lawns and together these two will pack gloves and pick it up. Thank you guys! *Aiden spoke about reusing vegetable scraps. Regrowing our foods. Instead of throwing celery, romain lettuce, bok choi, carrots, green onions ends into the compost. Try to regrow then in water and replant then into the garden. Voices were strong, with lots of humour, tears and inspiring hope, it was wonderful to see our youth members so passionate about life. Last night the Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council meeting was in Milton. First on the agenda was..... you guessed it. The upcoming ‘Happy Valentine’s Dance’ on February 13th in Milton.
Our HYDAC councillors are so proud of their first community initiative in Milton. They hope to encourage all youth and adults in the community to come out and meet each other on the dance floor. DJ James and Simon are spinning the hits for everyone to dance too, as well the council members have even organized a soothing space for those that need a quiet zone to help themselves regulate. This dance is to encourage not only community partnerships, by working closely with the Milton Public library, but also to develop organization skills, positive team work, confidence, acceptance and inclusivity. What a fantastic social opportunity for all our youth and adults!!! Next on the agenda was the upcoming ‘Artability Showcase’ at the Milton Library This is a special art exhibition showcasing written, visual, and performance art by Milton’s neurodiverse youth community and HYDAC members. The event will feature the artwork of all HYDAC members!!! Art and poetry exhibition is open 2020 at Milton Main Library from April 3-9, Dance performance by Dance Ability Movement as well as performance art on Sat, Apr 4 1:30pm Last on the agenda was Global concerns and community issues. This is an important part of the meeting as it gives the council a chance to discuss concerns and members spent a few minutes discussing environment, protection of nature, animals and plants - the importance of trees and conservation is Hugh in their list. First topic on Tuesday evening Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council meeting was the upcoming ‘Happy Valentine’s Dance’ on February 13th in Milton.
Our HYDAC councillors were enthusiastic in their excitement for the First ever Community youth event. This dance is to encourage not only community partnerships (working closely with the Milton Public Library) but also to develop awareness and encourage inclusivity and belonging. “What a fantastic social opportunity for all our youth and adults, with hip music from DJ James and Simon and lots of friends.” Says Mary Rose, community lead. Next on the agenda was the upcoming Artability Showcase in Milton This is a special art exhibition showcasing written, visual, and performance art by Milton’s neurodiverse youth community and all our HYDAC members. The event will feature the artwork of Aiden Lee, as he presents his work “Acceptance: We’re All Part of the Rainbow.” Art and poetry exhibition open April 3-9, 2020 at Milton Main Library. Dance performance by Dance Ability Movement. Sat Apr 4, 1:30pm
Yesterday was the first of 2020 Oakville, HYDAC council meeting at the Oakville Public Library
Our council members started off the agenda with a special guest, Ms. Connie Benner from Oakville Transit. Independence is at the top of the list this year and transit is a huge component of how our youth and adults get to employment, shopping, friends, just everyday travel. Second on the agenda was sensory movies at the Oakville library. Community opportunities that the community celebrated with a loud HOORAY! Junior and senior options were discussed, what types of movies, age appropriate etc. Next! The upcoming VALENTINES dance. This is the perfect collaborative project for HYDAC - Oakville and Milton, as well as the Special Friends Network. Lastly was an important announcement. Our friend, Nabeel from the town of Oakville let us know that the Nottinghill Youth Centre have added a monthly, ‘All Abilities Play Night’ for all our youth, of all abilities. Well done crew! Start of the New Year!
Each HYDAC member shared a bit about their winter break, as well as what they are looking forward to in the new year. Valentines’ Dance
Sensory Movies
Community Issues and Concerns
Last night our youth council reminded me that this was the last meeting of the year. January 2020 we start fresh. But let’s recount what this amazing Milton crew has accomplished in the few months they have been together.
Raising funds and awareness for families with sensory needs - Milton libraries would host sensory boxes filled with tools that will help calm or stimulate learning. Fundraising for a worthy cause was first on the list and our council members decided on creating variety card packs that they would sell to raise money. The Oakville HYDAC crew helped sell as well and so far they have raised over 200 dollars. Building the bridge, filling the age gap with Milton seniors through two programs, one is a pen pal program that is hosted by Milton libraries and two was the acknowledgment that loneliness during the holidays affected our senior population. They decided to send 150 hand made cards with holiday messages to the seniors from Birkdale senior centre. Good cheer and happiness! Transit is another important topic for our Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council members. Being able to get from point A - Z with no stress or hassle. So setting up a meeting with transit Manager, Tony D'Alessandro, MEDes, MCIP, RPP and talking seriously about buses, cost to community, service dogs, visual aids, etc was imperative. The great news is next year our crew will have a chance to work directly with Transit Milton. Environment was another hot topic and our members spoke about trees, creating litter less societies, helping clear plastics and litter from environments etc. 2020 HYDAC will play a greater role and implement a few of their ideas. We are so proud of their progress and hard work. Judith Elaine, and Lisa Portelli HYDAC - Oakville is one year old! The benefits of belonging to a Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council like HYDAC are numerous, from leadership, and social / life skills, friendships, time management/business skills, learning, confidence, and independence, it provides a sense of belonging that motivates emotional, mental well-being. - Judith Elaine This month in Oakville HYDAC celebrates one year and I wanted to take a moment and share a few of our youth council successes.
Did you know? We host two meetings per month, one in Oakville and one in Milton. Both locations provide opportunities to Halton youth of all abilities to feel a sense of belonging and have a voice. Talk about what matters to them and the communities they live in. The Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council has has successful fundraisers to raise money for sensory tools for our Oakville library, this action now benefits families, adults and children with sensory needs and makes our libraries more accessible. Learning about politics, municipal and federal government has also been a part of our Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council learning scope and we have had many special guests explaining their roles, and duties. This has helped our crew benefit from experience and also encourages them to make their own decisions. Our youth advisory council members are working with senior centres, bridging the age gap and building positive relationships. This season they have created hand painted holiday cards that will bring happiness and joy to others. Our goal is to establish a strong relationship with positive awareness. Transit education was top of the list for our HYDAC members, understanding the benefits of public transit, the way it works, empowers our youth to be more independent and self aware. Oakville transit and HYDAC are currently working on the 2020 schedule. 2019 has been a constructive year for our HYDAC members and we would like you to know that we are always encouraging new members. HYDAC is a place where youth of all abilities can stand proud, lift their voices, make positive changes, raise awareness, bring joy and happiness while dedicating to projects that benefit others. Judith and Erin And all our HDAC members We are so lucky to have two innovative leaders in our Oakville community, Daniel Ridsdale and Nabeel Rahman. Our Halton Youth Disability Advisory Council have the opportunity to use the Town’s swimming facilities and discover for ourselves how these facilities meet Oakville’s diverse needs. This conversation provided all the attendees at this meeting with learning in listening, reflecting and responding. It’s important to start the conversation. Address concerns and encourage participation. Listening to each member’s thoughts and feelings is important. Their voice matters. Fundraising was at the top of our list and last night our crew started on the project of creating beautiful mixed holiday wellness card packs. This official community fundraiser is to raise funds and awareness for sensory toys in the Milton libraries. The benefit would be for all ages, visitors to the library. These sensory Toys are designed to stimulate a child's senses and the effects whether soothing or stimulating can effect how children and youth read. Our HYDAC crew researched that when children participate in sensory activities, they are learning and that means the world to our committee. Please note: The hand made card packs will be available by November. Next on the agenda - our crew handed in their introductory letters to their matching senior partners. Pen pals is a program that the Milton library runs with seniors in the community and our youth Advisory Council want to build a relationship. “Loneliness is a risk factor in our community too,” says Connor. “I want to make sure that no one feels lonely and writing a letter was fun and I know it will make someone happy.”
“It was another great meeting,” Maddison said as she walked out the door. Just the words we want to hear. Belonging is so very important in our world, and HYDAC is the perfect place for everyone. Tonight, our Milton library lead was Ms Seema, who was absolutely lovely and a perfect addition to our HYDAC crew.
Special welcome to members Connor and Hader. This was their first council meeting. Tonight’s agenda was jam packed and our council started off the evening at 7:10pm with a clean up of the surrounding library grounds, filling three bags of garbage. (Giving back to the community is an important part of our council mandate.)
What is a sensory toolbox? A sensory tool box is a collection of sensory items to help those with sensory processing disorder, soothe anxiety, self regulate and focus. Making the library experience more positive and fun.
Ms. Seema shared with us that this new library is state of the art with colour codes, visual, audio and tactile options. Lots of window seating and very tranquil surrounding. (Our crew will host the January meeting in this spot.) So excited!! Another successful council meeting. Well done crew! - Judith Elaine |
HYDACRecaps of our monthly meetings at the OPL. Archives
January 2023
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