December 1 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Whether independent living is one of your current goals and you are planning to move out soon, or it is a long-term goal for the future – you can begin preparing for it now – starting in the kitchen!
This hands-on session is a great way to help you increase your confidence in the kitchen. While preparing a tasty and well-balanced dinner, participants will also learn about:
- The importance of good hygiene,
- Cleanliness in the kitchen and the importance of preventing cross-contamination,
- The proper use of utensils,
- How to properly measure and prepare food, and work with others.
And then, you’ll get to enjoy what you’ve made for dinner! The menu for this session is Fish Tacos with Red Lentils as a side dish (Yum!).
Monday, December 1, 2025
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
This session is limited to six participants. If there are no spots available, you can sign up to be placed on a waiting list and a member of our team will reach out to you if spots open up.
There will only be light support provided by staff, so participants need to be able to follow instructions, and be willing to work in a small group to prepare the meal. All supplies will be provided.
To register, click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” and follow the instructions. If you have an account, just log in as usual. If you don’t have an account yet, it’s free and easy to sign up.
- Create a user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy)
- Select “Register”
- Choose the Joy of Cooking: Cooking Skills for Independent Living – December 1, 2025 Registration course and click on the, “Enroll” button.
About the Presenter:
Nathaniel Anderson is a former participant of the Launch + Skills program, which he found extremely valuable. He is eager to use his skills and experiences as a way of giving back. Nathan began cooking at the age of 14 and has been working professionally for three years.
During this time, he has gained experience in nearly every aspect of the job, including: prepping ingredients, making cold salads, grilling, sautéing pastas and other dishes, and plating meals. He is proud to call himself, “a self-proclaimed foodie” that enjoys eating and making meals from multiple cultures.
If you have questions or if you need help navigating Sinneave Connects, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
December 3 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
This workshop series is for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals who want to build practical skills to understand, respond to, and help prevent bullying. Together, we’ll explore why bullying happens, how to recognize it in different settings (including online and in the workplace), and how it uniquely affects neurodivergent people. These interactive sessions offer hands-on activities to practice strategies in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Please note: This is a skill-building series and not a bullying support group, or a substitute for professional mental health or crisis support.
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all three in-person sessions for this series which will be held as follows:
Session 1: Understanding Bullying on November 19. Details available here.
Session 2: Building Your Skills on November 26. Details available here.
Session 3: Putting It into Practice on December 3. Details are available on this page.
Session 3: Putting It into Practice
This session will cover the following topics:
- Noticing bullying behaviour in yourself,
- What to do if you witness bullying,
- How to help someone who is being bullied,
- Ways to prevent future bullying,
- Additional supports and anti-bullying resources and,
- Practicing what we’ve learned.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
In this workshop series, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Explain the various reasons why bullying occurs and recognize the different forms and locations of bullying, including online and in the workplace,
- Identify the signs and impact of bullying and describe how Autism and bullying are connected,
- Differentiate between bullying, normal conflict, and diagnosis-based discrimination,
- Reflect on their own actions for signs of bullying behaviour,
- Support someone else who is being bullied and try a variety of strategies to reduce the impact of bullying,
- Develop strategies to address and react to a bullying situation and help prevent future bullying and,
- Be aware of supports for emotional coping and healing, and resources for legal/logistical support.
** Space in these sessions are limited, and advance registration is required through Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub. **
There is no cost to attend and Sinneave Connects is free, but you need to register for an account to use it.
If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s easy! Click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” to access the hub and follow these steps:
- Create a user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy!)
- Select “Register”
- Choose the Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence Series – Registration event
- Click on the, “Enroll” button, and then press Confirm. You will be registered for all three sessions in this series. Don’t forget to mark your calendar and attend them all!
About the Presenters:
Tracie Czerkawski is a Learning Strategist at The Sinneave Family Foundation. She has 15+ years of professional experience in education and human services, and a lifetime of lived neurodivergent experience. Tracie aims to create friendly and inclusive learning opportunities where participants feel a sense of belonging.
Mason Jaffray is an Autistic Self-Advocate, currently working as a Program Facilitator at The Sinneave Family Foundation. Mason has taught many of Sinneave’s Skills Groups, such as Acceptance and Commitment Training and Executive Functioning, and finds the skills and ideas in the groups indispensable in his daily life.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
November 26 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
This workshop series is for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals who want to build practical skills to understand, respond to, and help prevent bullying. Together, we’ll explore why bullying happens, how to recognize it in different settings (including online and in the workplace), and how it uniquely affects neurodivergent people. These interactive sessions offer hands-on activities to practice strategies in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Please note: This is a skill-building series and not a bullying support group, or a substitute for professional mental health or crisis support.
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all three in-person sessions for this series which will be held as follows:
Session 1: Understanding Bullying on November 19. Details available here.
Session 2: Building Your Skills on November 26. Details are available on this page.
Session 3: Putting It into Practice on December 3. More details are available here.
Session 2: Building Your Skills
This session will cover the following topics:
- Things that contribute to and prevent bullying,
- What to do if you’re being bullied,
- Ways to deal with a bully,
- Ways to cope with bullying, and
- Practicing what we’ve learned.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
In this workshop series, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Explain the various reasons why bullying occurs and recognize the different forms and locations of bullying, including online and in the workplace,
- Identify the signs and impact of bullying and describe how Autism and bullying are connected,
- Differentiate between bullying, normal conflict, and diagnosis-based discrimination,
- Reflect on their own actions for signs of bullying behaviour,
- Support someone else who is being bullied and try a variety of strategies to reduce the impact of bullying,
- Develop strategies to address and react to a bullying situation and help prevent future bullying and,
- Be aware of supports for emotional coping and healing, and resources for legal/logistical support.
** Space in these sessions are limited, and advance registration is required through Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub. **
There is no cost to attend and Sinneave Connects is free, but you need to register for an account to use it.
If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s easy! Click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” to access the hub and follow these steps:
- Create a user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy!)
- Select “Register”
- Choose the Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence Series – Registration event
- Click on the, “Enroll” button, and then press Confirm. You will be registered for all three sessions in this series. Don’t forget to mark your calendar and attend them all!
About the Presenters:
Tracie Czerkawski is a Learning Strategist at The Sinneave Family Foundation. She has 15+ years of professional experience in education and human services, and a lifetime of lived neurodivergent experience. Tracie aims to create friendly and inclusive learning opportunities where participants feel a sense of belonging.
Mason Jaffray is an Autistic Self-Advocate, currently working as a Program Facilitator at The Sinneave Family Foundation. Mason has taught many of Sinneave’s Skills Groups, such as Acceptance and Commitment Training and Executive Functioning, and finds the skills and ideas in the groups indispensable in his daily life.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
November 19 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
This workshop series is for Autistic and neurodivergent individuals who want to build practical skills to understand, respond to, and help prevent bullying. Together, we’ll explore why bullying happens, how to recognize it in different settings (including online and in the workplace), and how it uniquely affects neurodivergent people. These interactive sessions offer hands-on activities to practice strategies in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Please note: This is a skill-building series and not a bullying support group, or a substitute for professional mental health or crisis support.
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all three in-person sessions for this series which will be held as follows:
Session 1: Understanding Bullying on November 19. Details are available on this page.
Session 2: Building Your Skills on November 26. More details are available here.
Session 3: Putting It into Practice on December 3. More details are available here.
Session 1: Understanding Bullying
This session will cover the following topics:
- Different types and places bullying happens,
- Why bullying happens,
- Autism and bullying,
- Bullying vs. conflict, harassment, and discrimination,
- How bullying affects people and,
- Practicing what we’ve learned.
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)
In this workshop series, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Explain the various reasons why bullying occurs and recognize the different forms and locations of bullying, including online and in the workplace,
- Identify the signs and impact of bullying and describe how Autism and bullying are connected,
- Differentiate between bullying, normal conflict, and diagnosis-based discrimination,
- Reflect on their own actions for signs of bullying behaviour,
- Support someone else who is being bullied and try a variety of strategies to reduce the impact of bullying,
- Develop strategies to address and react to a bullying situation and help prevent future bullying and,
- Be aware of supports for emotional coping and healing, and resources for legal/logistical support.
** Space in these sessions are limited, and advance registration is required through Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub. **
There is no cost to attend and Sinneave Connects is free, but you need to register for an account to use it.
If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s easy! Click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” to access the hub and follow these steps:
- Create a user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy!)
- Select “Register”
- Choose the Navigating Bullying and Neurodivergence Series – Registration event
- Click on the, “Enroll” button, and then press Confirm. You will be registered for all three sessions in this series. Don’t forget to mark your calendar and attend them all!
About the Presenters:
Tracie Czerkawski is a Learning Strategist at The Sinneave Family Foundation. She has 15+ years of professional experience in education and human services, and a lifetime of lived neurodivergent experience. Tracie aims to create friendly and inclusive learning opportunities where participants feel a sense of belonging.
Mason Jaffray is an Autistic Self-Advocate, currently working as a Program Facilitator at The Sinneave Family Foundation. Mason has taught many of Sinneave’s Skills Groups, such as Acceptance and Commitment Training and Executive Functioning, and finds the skills and ideas in the groups indispensable in his daily life.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
November 17 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
You are invited to join the Autism Awareness Club at University of Calgary for their Trivia Night. If you love trivia and answering questions, this is a great opportunity to test your knowledge on a wide range of topics.
Monday, November 17, 2025
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
All are welcome! You don’t need to be a UCalgary student to attend. Please RSVP your attendance to autismawarenessucalgary@gmail.com so the organizers know how many people to expect.
Related Events
November 3 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
You are invited to flex your creative muscles with the Autism Awareness Club at University of Calgary for a fun and engaging Art Night.
Monday, November 3, 2025
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Ave NW)
All are welcome! You don’t need to be a UCalgary student to attend. Please RSVP your attendance to autismawarenessucalgary@gmail.com so the organizers know how many people to expect.
Related Events
November 25 @ 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that can help reduce the amount of taxes owed by a person with a disability or someone who supports them. It is also a gateway benefit that gives access to other programs such as the Canada Disability Benefit and the Registered Disability Savings Plan.
Join Plan Institute for an online webinar that will explain what the DTC is and how to make the best use of it, information about eligibility criteria, misconceptions about the DTC, application tips, and what happens after you apply. The presentation will conclude with a 45 minute Q&A period with a DTC specialist.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Online via Plan Institute
Please RSVP for this webinar by clicking on the button that says, “RSVP” to let the organizers know, and for you to receive the online webinar link.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
November 7 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Financial abuse can take many forms. Persons with cognitive or other functional disabilities can be especially vulnerable to financial abuse. This online webinar aims to inform persons with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers about financial abuse so that it can be stopped or prevented. You will also learn the signs of financial abuse, understand your rights, and know what steps you can take for protection and support.
Join AIDE Canada and The Sinneave Family Foundation for an important and empowering session on recognizing and preventing financial abuse. In addition to the presentation, the presenter will share free and available financial abuse videos, as well as two published guides on the topic for people with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers.
Friday, November 7, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Online via AIDE Canada
Please RSVP for this webinar by clicking on the button that says, “RSVP” to let the organizers know, and for you to receive the online webinar link.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Golnaz Ghaderi is a psychologist working at a private practice in Ottawa. Her doctoral research focused on the knowledge and perspectives of persons with intellectual disabilities and their support providers regarding financial abuse. Dr. Ghaderi has been involved in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for several years. With her research, she aimed to raise awareness and inform prevention strategies for financial abuse among persons with intellectual disabilities.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
November 20 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Navigating the healthcare system can often feel overwhelming — from knowing which provider to see, to preparing for appointments, asking the right questions, and managing follow-up care. To support individuals in these everyday situations, we have developed four new micro-eLearning modules, which are available on Sinneave Connects, our online learning hub:
- Figure Out Who to See,
- Plan for Your Next Health Appointment,
- Communicate Effectively During Appointments, and
- Take Charge of Follow-Up Care.
In this 60-minute session, participants will be introduced to each module, learn how these resources can support them in different stages of the healthcare journey, and how to access them for ongoing use. The session is designed to build awareness of the modules and spark interest in applying them when navigating healthcare.
Thursday, November 20, 2025
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Online via Sinneave Connects
There is no cost to attend this session. Sinneave Connects is free, but you need to register for an account to use it.
If you already have a Sinneave Connects account, just log in as usual. If you have not registered yet, it’s easy! Click the button that says, “Sinneave Connects” and follow these steps:
- Create a user name
- Create a password (don’t forget to save it someplace handy!)
- Select “Register”
- Choose the Navigating Healthcare: From Planning to Follow-Up – November 20, 2025 session.
- Click on the, “Choose session” button, and then press Confirm.
About the Presenter:
Ali Skeet is a Learning and Connection Associate at The Sinneave Family Foundation. She delivers the Information and Navigation Service, where she has the pleasure to meet with Autistics and Neurodivergent individuals one-on-one to provide consistent, person-centered information, and help navigate individuals to Sinneave programs and services, and or community-based resources.
If you have questions, please reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Related Events
November 27 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Many individuals can benefit from what is often referred to as a “third space”—a place separate from home or work or school where there is no obligation to spend money on food or beverages. So we’re opening our doors to members of our community.
We invite you to drop in and use our space to help you unwind or recharge—with no pressure to engage in structured activities. We have several rooms and spaces available–a quiet lounge, computer desks, hang out sofas–you choose. It’s your time to use your way.
Our space provides flexible seating options, focus tools, and adjustable lighting options as we strive to make our space more welcoming and inclusive to those who wish to spend time in it.
On Thursday, November 27, we’re hosting a special activity during the Your Time, Your Way time. Participants can drop-in between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to engage in, “Girls Night” themed activities. The night will be geared towards women or female-identifying participants.
There will be different activity stations set up and participants can move through all stations at their pace, or stay where they are comfortable. Some of the activities you can partake in are:
- Make your own mocktail station,
- Paint and sip and,
- Play board games and puzzles.
Here are some suggestions of things you may like to do, if you will not be participating in the girls night themed activities, please note this is not an exhaustive list:
- Socializing: Chat with others, make new connections, or catch up with friends
- Using Computers: Access the internet, complete personal tasks, or explore hobbies online. Use our computers and wifi or bring your own device and connect via our network
- Relaxing: Sit quietly, read, listen to music with headphones, or just enjoy the calm space
- Independent Work: Bring personal projects, homework or studying you may need to do, or use the time to focus on tasks
- Unstructured Activities: puzzles, sketching, journaling, or engaging in other personal hobbies
- Exploring Resources: Learn about other programs, events, or services Sinneave offers
- Simply Being: Spend time in the space without any specific activity, just enjoying the presence of others without any expectations to engage
To ensure a welcoming and safe space for all users, please read over the Rules of the Space before you arrive:
- Check-In is Required: Everyone signs in upon arrival
- No Alcohol or Drugs: This is a substance-free space for everyone’s safety and comfort
- Respectful Content and Behavior: No engagement with explicit content and all interactions should be respectful
- Noise Levels: Keep volume moderate to accommodate diverse activities
- No formal supervision provided: Attend and engage independently