New program supports tenant health
A group of parents, caregivers, and guardians of adults with cognitive disabilities have come together to help create a wellness program for those living at MHI's The Haven. The program is designed to provide social interaction to boost mental and physical health in a supportive and inclusive space. Its purpose is to encourage healthy relationships with others, personal growth, and development. The program is structured around various activities such as group discussion, workshops, physical fitness, and creative expression. parents, caregivers, and guardians play an active role in the program, providing guidance and encouragement to the participants and MHI's program coordinators. They work collaboratively to ensure that all relevant topics, such as personal hygiene, nutrition, and stress management, are addressed effectively. This new program is a excellent example of working together for the health and wellbeing of everyone living at The Haven!
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dancing into the new year with zumba!
The Haven has recently introduced a new program for the new year, Zumba, to help combat the Winter Blues and provide a healthy outlet for the residents. The program, led by certified Zumba instructor Valeria Ventura, aims to offer a fun and engaging way for tenants to stay active during the colder months.
Valeria Ventura is a passionate dancer who has been involved in the Latin community since 2012. She brings her extensive experience and love for dance to the Zumba classes, creating a lively and upbeat atmosphere that participants love! The Zumba classes have quickly become a highlight providing a space for residents to moving their bodies in a fun and active way. It's been particularly heartwarming to see adults with cognitive disabilities join the class and be active alongside their peers. |
take your seat at Rise academy
Parents of high schoolers, Rise Academy enables students in grades 7 to 12 to earn credits for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Rise Academy held an information session at MHI's The Haven, outlining their online High School credit program. Program representatives meet with students twice weekly for 30 minutes in person to develop a program that meets the student's needs and interests. The credit options include community service learning, where students can choose a community or organization to volunteer with to earn credits towards their high school diploma. |
Rise Academy representative Rebecca spoke at the information session, outlining how Rise Academy benefits students through multifaceted learning and the opportunity to network. She explained how students can leverage their skills to develop knowledge in various fields, sometimes making the transition after high school easier and provided examples of successful student projects developed through Rise's platform.
10th grader and MHI tenant Ola participated in the program and spoke about their experience. Ola volunteered with a local clothing drive and collaborated with Soungui Fitness to coordinated the drive with the gym owners, attended Ottawa's Diefendbunker to experience Peacekeeping efforts, and interviewed online content creators.
Think your child may be interested? Learn more about Rise Academy at www.riseacademy.ca
10th grader and MHI tenant Ola participated in the program and spoke about their experience. Ola volunteered with a local clothing drive and collaborated with Soungui Fitness to coordinated the drive with the gym owners, attended Ottawa's Diefendbunker to experience Peacekeeping efforts, and interviewed online content creators.
Think your child may be interested? Learn more about Rise Academy at www.riseacademy.ca
holiday party round up
There's a lot to celebrate this holiday season at all of our housing communities! First up, The Haven, with it's Holiday Party and Christmas Play.
The annual Christmas celebration at The Haven brought together members of the church community, Salvation Army, and The Haven for holiday cheer and marking the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The children were captivated by Pastor Paul's reading from the Christmas book, asking them the names of the characters in the story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem.
David Hill, Ottawa City Councillor, Ward 3 Barrhaven West reprised his role as Joseph, the husband of Mary, for the play. This is Mr. Hill's fourth holiday party with him and his family at The Haven (more on the councilor's history of volunteering with MHI to come in early 2024!). Can you can spot Mr. Hill in one of the images below? (hint: he's wearing a pink cloak!).
Thank you to DNS Electrical Contracting who purchased gifts for The Haven Kids, and Toys R Us who worked alongside the company to surprise the kids. Thank you to our local churches, who are part of MHI's membership, for donating gifts for all The Haven kids who are eleven years old and younger. In addition to the toys for The Haven kids, the churches donated dozens of Christmas cookies for the party and residents of MHI's The Haven.
Happy Holidays from MHI!
P.S. Check out our holiday cookie recipe here.
The annual Christmas celebration at The Haven brought together members of the church community, Salvation Army, and The Haven for holiday cheer and marking the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The children were captivated by Pastor Paul's reading from the Christmas book, asking them the names of the characters in the story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem.
David Hill, Ottawa City Councillor, Ward 3 Barrhaven West reprised his role as Joseph, the husband of Mary, for the play. This is Mr. Hill's fourth holiday party with him and his family at The Haven (more on the councilor's history of volunteering with MHI to come in early 2024!). Can you can spot Mr. Hill in one of the images below? (hint: he's wearing a pink cloak!).
Thank you to DNS Electrical Contracting who purchased gifts for The Haven Kids, and Toys R Us who worked alongside the company to surprise the kids. Thank you to our local churches, who are part of MHI's membership, for donating gifts for all The Haven kids who are eleven years old and younger. In addition to the toys for The Haven kids, the churches donated dozens of Christmas cookies for the party and residents of MHI's The Haven.
Happy Holidays from MHI!
P.S. Check out our holiday cookie recipe here.
Thank you | Merci | Meegwetch to:
Cookie Donations
Barrhaven United Church Bells Corners United Church Knox United Church Manotick United Church Salvation Army, Barrhaven Sequoia Community Church Choirs Manotick United Church Salvation Army, Barrhaven Tableau David, Tammie, McKenna and Casey Hill |
Gift Donations
Bells Corners United Church Manotick United Church Salvation Army, Barrhaven Sequoia Community Church DNS Electrical Contracting Toys R Us Barrhaven Story teller Paul Whynacht, minister Manotick United Church Violinist Capt. Laura Van Schaick, Salvation Army, Barrhaven Reverend Dianne Cardin, MHI Patron, Membership & Outreach Committee Member |
Volunteer Appreciation at the Haven
The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was a wonderful event that brought together tenants who have been selflessly volunteering their time to make the Haven community a better place. Members of the Haven community organized the event to honour those who have been making a positive impact for years.
This celebration was a testament to the unwavering commitment of these volunteers, who have dedicated countless hours to support Haven's vision of becoming a thriving community. Their tireless efforts have inspired us all, and we are grateful for their selflessness and dedication. The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon was a heartfelt expression of gratitude to these remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of community and service. The Haven community is fortunate to have such compassionate and dedicated volunteers, and we look forward to continuing our work together to make Haven an even better place for all. |
words of the heart
The Creative Writing Workshop at The Haven, led by volunteer instructor and MHI Patron Suzanne Doerge, was a dynamic and inspiring event that brought together amateur writers in a supportive environment. Suzanne, a seasoned writer with a passion for teaching, guided participants through various writing exercises and techniques designed to unlock creativity and enhance storytelling skills.
The workshop covered a range of poetry styles, allowing participants to explore their unique voices and experiment with different forms of expression. Suzanne fostered a sense of community among attendees, encouraging them to share their work in Words from the Heart, the group's mini newsletter, and at their poetry reading that was held in the community room at The Haven in November. Congrats to all of the participants! |