October 28 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
You are invited to attend a virtual panel discussion exploring what is needed to understand newcomers impacted by neurodivergence.
What is it like to be a newcomer who is navigating disability?
How can I provide better support?
This 1-hour Lunch and Learn is perfect for Case Managers, Program Managers, Team Leads and others who work in disability and settlement.
The panelists for this presentation are:
Kim Mayer (Edmonton Newcomer Centre), Mezaun Evin (Lived Experience), Manjiah Ockey (Galena Wellness)
This presentation is brought to you by:
The Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA)
The Newcomer Centre
Galena Wellness Clinic
University of Calgary
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October 29 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
What do the recent changes to AISH and ADAP mean for the people you support?
Join the Alberta Ability Network for an informative Lunch and Learn, presented by the Workers’ Resource Centre.
With the introduction of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and changes affecting the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), organizations and service providers may have questions about how the new rules impact the people they serve.
This session is designed to help you better understand the changes and what they may mean in practice, including:
- AISH and ADAP eligibility and program differences
- Changes to benefits and employment income exemptions
- Transitioning between AISH and ADAP
- Applications, reassessments and appeals
- What organizations should know when supporting individuals through the changes
- Where to find information, resources and additional support.
This virtual presentation is free. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from the Alberta Ability Network with information about joining the Zoom meeting.
About the Alberta Ability Network (AAN)
The AAN is an initiative of Cerebral Palsy Alberta (CPAA) and is a collaboration of organizations and community advocates located in the province of Alberta, working to address systemic barriers facing people with disabilities.
AAN members work collaboratively to:
- Identify issues and priorities that affect individuals with disabilities
- Bridge gaps between the disability community and reduce duplication
- Build and strengthen collective advocacy capacity through education, and networking
- Create and promote vast cross sector knowledge and resources
- Strengthen existing relationships and broaden engagement with new stakeholders
- Organize and mobilize members to implement action for priority issues
Visit their website to learn more about the organization.
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November 30 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Whether you live independently or it is one of your future goals, being able to confidently navigate your way around a kitchen and cook healthy meals are important life skills.
Preparing your own meals helps you to save money, control portion sizes, and make choices that match your nutritional needs. Most importantly, being able to cook for and feed yourself (and others!) builds self-sufficiency, confidence and can even be a creative outlet or social activity.
The theme for this class is Breakfast for Dinner! The menu is frittata with hashbrowns.
While cooking dinner together, participants will learn:
- The importance of good hygiene
- Cleanliness in the kitchen and the importance of preventing cross-contamination
- The proper use of kitchen utensils
- How to properly measure and prepare food, and
- How to work well with others in a team environment
As only light support is provided by staff, participants need to be able to follow instructions, must be willing to work in a small group to prepare the meal, and are expected to help with clean up after the session.
Please note: If you have dietary allergies or restrictions, our staff need to know this in advance of the class. *Once your registration is confirmed, please email info@sinneavefoundation.org with details.
Space in this activity is limited. Participants must apply and be accepted into the session.
About the Presenter:
Kieren Padilla (they/them) is a community-minded trained chef with over 10 years of combined cooking experience in banquet events, high concept hotels, and elevated dining. Kieren has learned to work with their needs, building systems for easier neuro-friendly home cooking.
They hope to inspire others to reshape traditional cooking practices into something uniquely their own and transform kitchens into accessible, shame-free spaces. Their passion stems from the fact that everyone deserves to eat, no matter what, with a belief that “fed is always best.” And if Kieren could be fed with a meal, the “best” would be a comforting bowl of Katsudon Curry.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
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November 10 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
In this newly-developed interactive workshop, participants will learn practical executive functioning skills to better manage and estimate their time. They will learn a variety of strategies for scheduling, prioritizing, and delegation, in a welcoming, neuroaffirming setting.
Attendees will:
- Learn basic time management strategies
- Have the opportunity to practice and apply the techniques in the session
- Learn about other resources that are available to enhance time management skills
- Understand how being productive can look different for everyone
- Build the confidence to make your own schedule
- and more!
While it may push you a little outside your comfort zone, our in-person workshops are a great way to connect and meet new people. You get to decide your level of participation and enagement. Our office space offers neuro-friendly lighting, a variety of seating options, and focus tools, if desired. Whether you are visiting for the first time, or just curious, we invite you to tour our space virtually by clicking the button that says, “Tour Our Space”.
Space is limited and registration is required.
About the Presenter
Mara Jaffray is an Autistic Self-advocate, currently working as a Program Facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 4 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
As young adults are transitioning towards independence and into employment, caregivers are transitioning from the role of Manager to that of Consultant for their young adult.
This transition can be challenging for all parties, and can create tension and feelings of stress and anxiety.
In this strengths-based workshop, we will discuss tools and strategies that can help make space for shared learning and growth within the family and natural support network during this transition.
In addition to connecting with other caregivers and natural supports who may be having similar experiences, attendees will learn about available community resources for caregivers and Autistic and other neurodivergent folks.
In this session:
We all have expectations around what the transition to employment will look like for our young adult, but what happens when our expectations do not align with theirs? In this workshop, participants will:
- Discuss tools and strategies that will help to strengthen shared communication
- Increase capacity to align expectations
- Create space to support the whole family and support network through the transition to employment
Please note: Caregivers do not need to be parents in order to attend this workshop. Caregivers can be legal guardians, supportive roommates, natural supports, or family members.
Space in this session is limited, and registration is required.
About this Workshop:
The Building your Toolkit workshops introduce you to The Sinneave Family Foundation’s Family Work Readiness Toolkit (FWRT), a practical, strengths-based resource designed to help youth explore their interests, skills, values, and preferred work environments as they transition into employment. Attendees will learn how to use the toolkit to guide supportive conversations, set goals, and take meaningful action toward employment success. Participants will gain a stronger understanding of how to support your young adult’s transition into the workforce with practical tools, shared insight, and a clear starting point.
About the Presenter:
Stéphanie Chapman is a Bilingual Online Program Facilitator for the EmploymentWorks program. She has 15+ years of professional experience in the fields of education and disability across the lifespan, and personally as a caregiver. Stéphanie is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for families of all shapes and sizes to learn and grow together.
If you have any questions about this session, please reach out by email at info@sinneavefoundation.org or call us at 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 19 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The Your Time, Your Way connection event for November is Storytelling and Sip. Join us to celebrate all things storytelling! Whether you love writing novels, short stories, sitcoms, movies, poems, or simply getting lost in a good book, this space is for you.
Join us for a cozy evening with a warm beverage, where you can share your creativity, discover new stories, and connect with others who enjoy the world of words.
This relaxed, no-pressure space invites you to:
- Share your favourite books, stories, or writing projects with others
- Take some quiet time to read and enjoy a good book
- Explore neuroaffirming books available to borrow from the Aide Canada Library
- Discover new authors, ideas, and stories
- Design and create your own personalized bookmark
Whether you enjoy writing, reading, listening to stories, or simply spending time around people who love creativity, we invite you to join us for an evening of imagination, connection, and storytelling.
Members of our community are invited to drop-in and use our space every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. Consider this your “third space”–a place separate from home, work, or school where there is no obligation to spend money on food or beverages.
To make our space more welcoming and inclusive, we provide flexible seating in different rooms, focus tools, and adjustable lighting. It’s your time to use your way:
- Socializing – bring friends and enjoy a board game (bring your own or play one of ours)
- Access the internet, complete personal tasks, explore hobbies online on our computers, or bring your own device and connect via our network
- Sit quietly and read – take a book from our Little Free Library
- Bring a personal project or craft to work on, do homework, or study
- Engage in unstructured activities like doing a puzzle, sketching, or journalling
- Learn about Sinneave’s programs, services, and resources
- And more…
To ensure a welcoming and safe environment 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
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 18 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Our Employment Classroom workshops cover many topics related to finding a job, keeping a job, and thriving in the workplace. This includes employment preparedness, life skills, and soft skills for the workplace.
In this workshop, participants will learn:
- How to prepare for a job interview
- Skills you need to complete and perform well in an interview
- What to expect in an interview
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn what is expected in professional settings, discuss how to navigate specific questions, and have the opportunity to receive and provide feedback.
This workshop combines classroom instruction and time to practice what you’ve learned with support from the facilitators, if needed. Attendees to these workshops must be able to participate independently.
Please note: These classes are limited to 15 attendees. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. *If the course is full, you will be added to a waitlist. Please do not attend until your registration has been confirmed by our staff.
About our Facilitator:
Marcela Montes-Lobos is an EmploymentWorks Online Facilitator at The Sinneave Family Foundation. She is a late-diagnosed, Hispanic, neurodivergent adult who has embraced her unique diversity. Having lived experience with language barriers, as well as other barriers that many neurodivergent folks face in life, she decided to return to school in mid-life to become an addiction and disability support worker. Her goal is to create safe spaces for participants, while empowering and encouraging their autonomy and curiosity.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call our office at (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help!
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Our Employment Classroom workshops cover many topics related to finding a job, keeping a job, and thriving in the workplace. This includes employment preparedness, life skills, and soft skills for the workplace.
In this workshop, participants will learn:
- How to write your resume and cover letter and format them to look great
- The purpose of a resume and cover letter when searching for jobs
- What to include in each of these documents.
This workshop combines classroom instruction and time to practice what you’ve learned with support from the facilitators, if needed. Attendees to these workshops must be able to participate independently.
Please note: These classes are limited to 15 attendees. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. *If the course is full, you will be added to a waitlist. Please do not attend until your registration has been confirmed by our staff.
About our Facilitator:
Marcela Montes-Lobos is an EmploymentWorks Online Facilitator at The Sinneave Family Foundation. She is a late-diagnosed, Hispanic, neurodivergent adult who has embraced her unique diversity. Having lived experience with language barriers, as well as other barriers that many neurodivergent folks face in life, she decided to return to school in mid-life to become an addiction and disability support worker. Her goal is to create safe spaces for participants, while empowering and encouraging their autonomy and curiosity.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call our office at (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help!
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 5 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
When we read or search about autism online, we notice much of the information is described negatively, with a focus on the challenges that some Autistics may face. Words like “inflexible,” “rigid,” “lack of,” “impairments,” or “difficulties” are commonly found alongside definitions of autism.
At Sinneave, this isn’t how we do things. Our focus is trained on possibility. In this session, we intend to shift the narrative around autism, beginning with celebrating the many positive traits and characteristics common among Autistics and empowering those individuals to embrace who they are and what they have to offer.
We will also highlight the vibrancy of Autistic culture and learn ways we can support and foster inclusion in our communities.
About the Presenter
Sherry Taylor has more than 15 years of experience in the not-for-profit industry. She is currently the Program Coordinator for EmploymentWorks at Sinneave. She is passionate about developing engaging curriculum and content for Autistic youth and adults through a strengths-based lens, focusing on the strengths, characteristics and positive traits that Autistics bring to their communities.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.
Related Events
November 3 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
*New and improved* this workshop combines entry and exit conversation strategies into a single, streamlined skill group. We’ve designed this experience to be safe, fun, and entirely practical. You will gain actionable communication tools without the pressure to mask, perform, or participate in uncomfortable role-plays.
In this workshop, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to:
- Enter and exit conversations more confidently
- Practice strategies discussed in the workshop
- Increase confidence and feel empowered in their social abilities.
This workshop is designed to provide Autistic and neurodivergent individuals with opportunities to learn and practice a variety of social communication skills in a safe and welcoming setting. Participants will be provided with information, tips, and strategies that they can choose to apply common day-to-day social situations.
About the Presenter:
Mara Jaffray is an Autistic self-advocate, currently working as a Program Facilitator at the Sinneave Family Foundation.
If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call 403 210-5000. We’re here to help.
Neurodiversity Acknowledgement
We honour neurodiversity and strive to create environments that value the many ways people think, learn, and communicate. Our programs, services, and activities are designed to be neuroaffirming, accessible, and guided by the input from the people we serve.