If you missed our AGM and/or are interested to learn what FASSY has been up to, please see our: 2018 Annual Report
FASSY team pulls a plane at the United Way Yukon plane pull !
Team FASSY pulling a 70,000 lb PLANE on Saturday September 22nd for the 2018 United Way Yukon Plane Pull Event at Air North, Yukon’s Airline!!! A big thank you to the Yukon chamber of mines for sponsoring our team – https://www.facebook.com/yukonminers/
and to the Out and About coordinators Julie and Kathleen for getting the team together !
A great event put on by the United Way Yukon
https://www.facebook.com/vikingsnowqueen/videos/10160751455340577/?t=2
A Very Special Thank You!
Playing to Our Strengths – An International Improvisation project!
Lead researchers Rebecca Caines and Michelle Stewart completed a successful outreach trip to Yukon and British Columbia, taking the Improv Toolkit on the road for feedback, and making new connections for the project’s next stages.
Whitehorse, Yukon has been selected to be the Canada site for the international improvisation project exploring strengths and creativity for people with disabilities.
Researchers visited Whitehorse in July and worked with FASSY (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society of Yukon) who is a partner on the project. The researchers demonstrated workshops to a range of agencies and families. The workshops, based on the Community Improv Toolkit, use theatre, music, visual arts, improvised games and creative technologies including iPad apps to help people communicate, share their stories, make art and share their experiences.
For more info: http://improvenabled.ca/
“Bill It Forward” a support fund in memory of Bill Stewart
In Memory of Bill Stewart
FASSY, along with Bill’s family, have created a support fund for people living with FASD. This fund has been created in his memory to honor him and his desire to help others.
Bill supported many people throughout the Yukon in many ways and was willing to go the extra steps to do so. He also encouraged people to pass it forward when they were able.
The support fund called “Bill it forward“ will help individuals who wish to pursue a program or educational opportunity (academic, artistic or other); obtain job-related assistance (resume development, bus pass and/or other); or require emergency assistance (food, housing and/or other).
If you wish to donate, please contact the FASSY office at 867-393-4948 or you can donate directly through Canada Helps online by pressing the “Donate Now” button!
Inset picture by N. Bauberger
www.nicolebauberger.com
background photo by R. Plaskett
Fassy is launching our new booklet September 9th
We are excited to launch our new booklet: Walking With Us; Support That Works. This publication will be available starting on International FASD Awareness Day – September 9th at Shipyards Park. Booklets will also be available after that day by contacting us at 867-393-4948.
Walking With Us; Support That Works is a collection of stories and perspectives on the topic of support. 13 people with FASD were interviewed for their insights and many also shared their art work to showcase. Four main themes arose from this project: The Social Context of Support; Risking Trust & Relationship; Being Heard; and Being There.
Here is just a sample of the booklet to preview:
Canada Helps is hosting a Fundraising Campaign!
If you would like to donate to the FASSY lunch program, please visit the Canada Helps campaign page at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-society-of-yukon/1-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-society-yukon-fassy/
The campaign ends June 30th!
Pregnancy test dispensers in bars — work to increase awareness ! the Yukon was part of this study.
New Job Postings!
FASSY, in partnership with TOZ, YACL and OFI, is hiring 2 positions for an exciting new activities program. Closing date is November 3rd 2016. Please see job postings here: coordinator-out-and-about and assistant-coordinator-out-and-about
Government of Yukon supports distribution of pregnancy tests
“This pilot project has shown that we can work together to support women in making informed choices by providing access to the tools they need,” Minister of Health and Social Services Mike Nixon said. “The Government of Yukon is pleased to continue to support this worthwhile project.”
In March 2015, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon joined the University of Alaska’s two-year pilot project, which included the installation of pregnancy test dispensers and posters at key points in Whitehorse. The goal of the study was to assess the best method to increase awareness of the effects of alcohol during pregnancy on the unborn fetus.
While we won’t have the results of the University of Alaska study before early 2017, we are very encouraged by the uptake of the pregnancy tests,” Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon executive director Wenda Bradley said. “It’s a simple idea that we hope will have a big impact on the public’s awareness of the effect of alcohol on a developing fetus and thus reduce the number of people affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the future.”
“Out and About” – Funding for program from the Mental Health Innovation Fund – YG !
International FASD Day Celebration!
Fassy is hosting an International FASD Day Celebration lunch at Shipyards Park on September 9th. Everyone is welcome! If you bought raffle tickets in support of our lunch program, make sure you come on down to the lunch when the raffle draw will be held.
See you there!
FASD Informed Support Program
Fassy will be having a “FASD informed support” evening program running on October 24th, 25th and 26th from 6 – 9 pm. Please call NISJ at Yukon College to apply. You can call 867.456.8589 or email twright@yukoncollege.yk.ca for more information.
Pregnancy test dispensers – a Yukon success !
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/pregnancy-dispensers-washroom-yukon-success-1.3677408
The first part of the research project collaboration with the University of Alaska, Anchorage has come to an end. We thank all who participated by taking the online survey. We look forward to the results of the research in early 2017.
We give a special thank you to the Jarvis Street Saloon, Grateful Spud, The Dirty Northern Public house and Yukon College for their participation in the research project. Without these community partners
we would have been unable to provide the dispensers or do the research without you! We also thank Yukon Brewing for their sponsorship.
We look forward to the ongoing partnership with Yukon College and the Dirty Northern Public House who are continuing to have pregnancy test dispensers in their facilities. The CPNP of Dawson City has a dispenser in the lobby washroom of the Downtown Hotel. They have sold 100 tests from this one site!!
We are looking forward to expanding this program – so if interested – please call!!
Fassy Fundraiser Raffle!
Fassy would like to announce that we are holding a raffle fundraiser for our socially inclusive lunch program! If you would like to buy tickets, please come on down to our office or call 393-4948 for more information.
The raffle draw is being held on September 9th at our FASD International Day celebration at Shipyards Park.
Support Fassy by coming down to our office and buying your tickets now!
Presentation at the Vancouver National FASD Conference – good work OFI – Rick, Judy and Sam
United Way funds our Lunch Program!
Fassy would like to send a big thank you to United Way for their generous donation to our Lunch Program! Thank you for helping us keep such a valuable program up and running. It is greatly appreciated!
Ship’s Crew Makes Donation to Fassy!
An Update on our Pregnancy Dispenser Program!
Our pregnancy test dispensers are a success! 133 pregnancy tests sold in ten months – that’s 13 a month!
Yukon college has created a gender neutral washroom on the main floor and a pregnancy test dispenser is now available at this location. A second dispenser will be installed in a second floor women’s washroom soon.
Take the survey! Use the QRS code on the pregnancy test dispensers located at Yukon College or the Dirty Northern Public House to take a short survey and receive a $25.00 iTunes card. You can also find this code on the posters located in the women’s washrooms at the Jarvis Street Saloon or the Grateful Spud.
There is still time! The research collaboration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, continues and has been extended to June of 2016.
Thanks for protecting the next generation!