This week we celebrated and shared our congratulations to the graduates of the first Employment Readiness Program: Gabrielle Hebert, Dominique de Castro, Eli Bernard, Laurie Murorunkwere, Justin Pich, Arman Merali, Tavish Sawin, Larissa Unyk, Sophie Bergen, Kyra Lopatka. We had parents and family members attend the graduation along with the staff and summer students who led the program and supported this new initiative. Thank you to Program Manager, Meghan Schritt, Program lead Paige Wruth and Nanaya Likhi for your leadership in developing and leading this pilot program. The Adult Day Program has resumed for the full days Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm and there is space available for anyone 16+.
EDSS has a new phone system but the only thing you will notice is that our team’s extension #s have changed. You can use the directory by our last names, or find us with these extension #’s: Janet Tryhuba, Executive Director extension 103; Julie Boucher, Director of Community and Family Services extension 102; Michelle Hill, Office Manager extension 104; Meghan Schritt, Program Manager extension 105; Janna Sibal, Community Services Coordinator extension 101. You can also reach the main line by dialing 0.
We are getting ready for our registration to open next week for all of the fall programs so watch next week’s newsletter for the registration information.
Updates
| We are celebrating a successful grant application this week with the news that we have been awarded a Global Education Award from our partners Global Foundation. This award will support us to develop and distribute clear, accessible resources and promotional materials including presentations, educational videos, brochures, including medical guidelines tailored to Down syndrome care and support. Stay tuned for more information as we put these funds to use to serve our community better. |  |
Mark your calendars for October 24th for “The Affair of the Heart” which is a student-led fundraising gala hosted by the University of Alberta Medical Students' Association in support of EDSS. The event will bring together medical students, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and local businesses to create meaningful impact. The students are seeking sponsors to partner with them to make this event possible. If you are interested or know someone who would be, please share this partnership package with them. You can find it here.
Summer programming is having a real impact on our Ds community with now 50 participants in one of the summer day camps, and 10 participants in the new Employment Readiness program. We have also been so happy to see the youngest members come out for the Monday Morning Playgroup hosted by parent, Anita Ripmeester. Thank you to all of our families for participating and getting their kiddos and adults active and engaged in our community. Also, we would like to thank the Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise 
for their support to help reduce the fees for this summer’s day camp registration and we appreciate the support from Telus 
and Cooperators 
for their funding support to make the Employment Readiness program possible for our families.
We have also made good progress on our recruitment for volunteers for our September 22 & 23 Casino thanks to Rick Grebenstein for his leadership as our Casino Chairperson. Rick is still looking for a few more volunteers to complete the schedule so let him know if you are available for a shift.
Our Uniquely Me “Goes West” committee is making good progress, and we invite you to get your group’s tickets! See the message in the newsletter to purchase your tickets now. We also would like to invite you to consider making a donation to our “Wine and Booze Tree”. This western style auction item will feature all the beer, wine and spirts you can imagine, and if you have a bottle you would like to donate, please drop it off at EDSS before September 1. Also if you have gift cards you can’t use, you may also wish to donate these for a special raffle we are planning. Our Chair, Adele Olson has been adding new and refreshing ideas to make this year a great event! We are also pleased to share that Tanya Ponich has also rejoined our event planning committee and we are so thankful to have her with us once again.
More information about the free offer for amazing savings up to 70% off from our partners with the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Foundation for a SportChek VIP Promotion coming soon for EDSS members. To be eligible, will need to have been EDSS members to be active for 2026 by July 31 by paying your 2026 membership invoice. Please contact us here: contact@edss.ca to learn more.
| This week I had the pleasure of receiving our donation from the Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise. With this donation, every participant in our summer camp will benefit as this $5,000 gift will help us reduce fees by $50 this year. Read more about our 2 new locations both north and south, our amazing themes and field trip plans for summer camp further in the newsletter. |  |
Did you know?
Through the Eye See…Eye Learn program, children in kindergarten are eligible to receive free glasses and frames. Be sure to ask your optometrist about it!
