Abilities Community Services

Marjorie Birthday
2022-04-18

Easter
2022-04-17

Good Friday
2022-04-15

Andrew Birthday
2022-04-13

Sarah Birthday
2022-04-13

World Down Syndrome Day
2022-03-21

St. Patrick's Day
2022-03-17

Today Is International Women's Day
2022-03-08

Pink Shirt Day
2022-02-23
Now a movement celebrated across the globe, Pink Shirt Day has humble beginnings. Inspired by an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia, CKNW Kids’ Fund, working with partners Boys & Girls Clubs and 980 CKNW, was inspired to raise funds to support anti-bullying programs. Here is a snippet of an article detailing the original incident:

“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied [for wearing a pink shirt]…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school. ‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’ So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag. As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled. The bullies were never heard from again.”— GLOBE & MAIL

After David and Travis’ act of kindness in 2007, CKNW was inspired to help other youth affected by bullying, with many staff members wearing pink shirts and collecting funds to support Boys and Girls Clubs. Since then, the idea has only grown each year, with worldwide support and participation. Countries across the globe are now organizing anti-bullying fundraisers of their own, including Japan, New Zealand, China, Panama, and numerous others. In fact, last year alone, people in almost 180 countries shared their support of Pink Shirt Day through social media posts and donations.
Pink Shirt Day falls on the last Wednesday of February every year; join us next Pink Shirt Day on February 23rd, 2022 in our mission to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives.

Family Day
2022-02-21

Eddie Birthday
2022-02-21

National Love Your Pet Day
2022-02-20 08:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day, a holiday where people show love and appreciation for their companions and best friends, their pets! The bond between humans and their pets is very strong, and National Love Your Pet Day is all about celebrating that relationship. Pets love us unconditionally, so today is all about doing the same for them.
National Love Your Pet Day is about making all pets feel special, whether they are dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, or rodents, it does not matter.
National Love Your Pet Day Activities
Make sure your pet has a happy National Love Your Pet Day by doing all of their favorite things! Most pets are happy just getting any attention, so don’t forget to cuddle and play with them a lot today. The way to some pet’s hearts is through their stomach, so get your pet their favorite, most delicious treats, it is a special day after all. This day is also the perfect excuse to spoil them with a new toy. And finally, if your pet enjoys being outside, take them somewhere new like the beach or a big park, let them explore the world.
We are all very proud of our pets, so we love to show them off. National Love Your Pet Day is the perfect excuse to flood your social media with cute images and photos of your pets!
If you want to share the love but don’t own a pet, National Love Your Pet Day is the perfect opportunity to talk to some shelters about the possibility of adopting one.

Valentine Day
2022-02-14

Super Bowl
2022-02-13 15:00 - 19:00

Melissa Birthday
2022-02-12

Black History Month
2022-02-01
National Black History Month has received official recognition in Canada and the United States, however, it is now spreading across the world, with the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands getting involved. With that in mind, it is now time to reveal more about observing this month and the unique history that is behind it.

Who started National Black History Month?
Several people played a part in the establishment of Black History Month. Its origins date back to 1926 when Carter G. Woodhouse, a black historian, began the observance of Negro History Week celebrated in February. Eventually, in the 1960s, students at colleges and universities began celebrating for a month and the date was made official in 1976.

When did National Black History Month start?
The first recognition of Black History Month in the United States was in 1976. Although Negro History Week had been celebrated for 50 years (usually in early February), the observance was expanded into a full month unofficially in the 1960s through students on college campuses.

Why is National Black History Month celebrated in February?
February is the birth month for two prominent leaders who played an important part in US Black History. This include President Abraham Lincoln (February 12) who fought against slavery in the Civil War, as well as African American abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass (February 14).

Where did National Black History Month start?
While the first officially recognized Black History Month in the US is initiated by President Gerald Ford in the White House, its origins go back further. In 1915, Carter G. Woodhouse and some friends travel from Chicago to Washington DC to participate in a celebration of 50 years of emancipation.

What other countries celebrate Black History Month?
Only the US and Canada celebrate National Black History Month in February. Other countries, such as the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Ireland, tend to celebrate black history in October.

National Inclusion Month
2022-02-01
North American Inclusion Month (NAIM) was created by the Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities. Now some five years old, the North American Inclusion Month was established as a way of recognising the need for more opportunities for people with disabilities, including in both employment and education. February 2nd, 2010 saw a U.S. House of Representatives resolution, which acknowledged the goals of NAIM.
NAIM is an opportunity for society to be more inclusive regarding people with disabilities. Regardless of an individual’s disabilities the North American Inclusion Month aims to make them feel every bit a part of society as an able-bodied person. The month is not in place to create a better understanding of a disabled person’s needs and aspirations for just four weeks. The North American Inclusion Month is used as a way of galvanising a more positive approach, concerning people with disabilities, for the whole year.
Making society more inclusive for people with disabilities can begin with simple individual actions during NAIM. Going out of one’s way to interact more with people with disabilities is one example. Often people will not interact with people with disabilities because they are nervous about saying or doing the right thing. However, not feeling part of society is what will often hurt a disabled person most of all.
From children to adults, people with disabilities can feel part of things throughout North American Inclusion Month. Sport should also be inclusive, and this can be achieved by adapting aspects of that sport where necessary. Children at school, who are affected by hearing or sight problems, can be helped by aids, which will make them able to enjoy a lesson just as much as their classmates. For elderly people with disabilities a nostalgia night, which includes a sing-along, can help bring back happy memories.

Chinese New Year
2022-02-01
https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-why-of-new-year.htm

New Years Day
2022-01-01

Listening to Indigenous Voices
2021-06-30
