205 8989 Macleod Trail SCalgary AB T2H 0M2T: 403 269 9133F: 403 269 3919betweenfriends.ab.ca

because of you...

we got active!

“We loved that our daughter was so physically active all summer. I wish we had looked into Between Friends years ago. We have finally found fall and winter activities for our daughter, Momo dance, yoga and glee club. We are thrilled.”

“Our son had a blast!”

“The Wolverine Staff were fantastic this summer. They greeted Ethan each morning and wrote me a note every day telling me what he had done. Ethan loved going to camp each day! This was a great summer for Ethan. ”

“My child loves coming every single year! Keep up the excellent work!!”

“This camp is amazing. The camp leaders are wonderful. So patient, so fun and so loving. They are wonderful. I love their energy.

Did you know?

In 2014, we had:

• A record high membership of 653 individuals!

• 33% of these members were on the Autism Spectrum

we made friends!

“Between Friends Camp Bonaventure really got me, so I went to the camp to observe. It was wonderful! There were people with all types of disabilities, together, playing, laughing, and making friends.” – Louise

“We have found a place to belong, and there is no doubt that as individuals and as a family we have grown, but the connection piece for us has been a great added bonus. We have all met some remarkable people through this organization, some that we may only see yearly at camp, and others that we see more often at school or other activities. But we have also met lifelong friends who live with the same fears, same issues, and same challenges as us. I can easily tell you that Between Friends is a tremendous organization that is all about providing social and recreational opportunities for people with all kinds of differing abilities, but what I really want to tell you is how we learned that it is so much more than just a place for my kids to be able to ride a horse or go sailing.” – Laurie

because of you...

Did you know?

In 2014:

•Wefilled1,717spacesandoffered130+ programs in 5 program areas

• Program fees were subsidized by a minimum of 40% andasmuchas95%withanaveragesubsidyof70%

• Fee assistance and subsidies for families totaled $665,309

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we gave back!

In 2014 , David Johnstone (DJ) was our David Waymouth Vision in Action Award recipient. DJ has been a member of Between Friends “as long as he can remember.” At the age of 12, DJ began volunteering at camp and in 2012, he joined Aktion Club (a program jointly supported by the Northmount Kiwanis Club and Between Friends). Aktion Club, a Kiwanis International Program, is the only service club for adults with disabilities who want to volunteer and give back to the community. DJ served as Vice President and along with the other members, served dinner at the Drop In Centre, ran book sales to raise funds and participated in Friends in Motion – Skating.

In 2013, he became a member of the Camp Bonaventure Team, as Camp Assistant. DJ is currently President of the Toastmasters Club at the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre, furthering his development as a leader. Being involved in the community and as an advocate for people with disabilities, he believes that “If you put your mind to something, you can change the world. If you have the right people behind you and you have it in your heart, no one can stand in your way. We’re people too, and we can do anything.”

because of you...

Did you know?

In 2014:

• 13,122 volunteer hours resulted in $133,844 in savings

•25JuniorVolunteersandfutureleaderscontributed1,871hours

• Camp Bonaventure had 94 volunteers contribute 5,920 hours

we stretched and grew!

“Jake and Nick have since burned themselves into the memory of everyone at Between Friends as the ‘Tag you’re it Twins’. They have participated in Camp each year, and in a variety of W.E.S.O.A.R.! programs as well as many special events. They have gone horseback riding, swimming,sailing, and rock climbing and they have slept in a tent without us. They have grown, they have become so much more independent, and they have soared.” – Laurie

“For me camp meant finding my passion, which I have now transformed into my career. If you ask anyone I’m close with, I’m sure I have a multitude of stories that have shaped me and are my moments of ‘this place is magical’. I’ve shared before my story of Tegan, a young vibrant young lady who taught me and my Grizzly group to live life to the fullest and to treat people as people and not their disability. She brought our group closer than we could have ever imagined and we still remember and miss her to this day. I’ve talked about the young man that was nonverbal who gave me a hug out of nowhere the last day of camp, and how all my days saying hi with no response was made worth it with one simple gesture. As I hugged him crying, I knew that the entire 6 weeks of being ignored was worth it. I think about the families and the parents and their stories.” – Sarah

because of you...

... and grew some more!

“As Riley is quite high functioning he often times falls between the cracks in other programs, where they are too challenging or not enough. Finally, a place where he can fit in and excel. He gets to learn and try new things, build confidence and of course make new friends and the staff and volunteers are fantastic. He is always excited about attending Camp.” – Verna

“To me, I have learned much about what it really means to be human from the programs, and while it is not for me to say I am in fact a better person (that must ultimately fall to others), I think that likely I am.” – anonymous

“I decided to work one last summer at camp before I got into my career. I went into that summer with the intent of “this will be a fun way to spend a summer outside and help some kids with disabilities.” What it actually did was create a situation where by the end of the summer I was so profoundly full of gratitude. I’m sure I helped the kids to some extent but they helped me so much more being in a relationship with them and seeing their joy. It was a real awareness of the simple joys of life that I had forgotten about and it ultimately changed me. “ – Calum

because of you...

we couldn’t do it without you...

Between Friends Partners ($100,000+)

Between Friends Sustainers ($50,000-99,999)

Between Friends provides quality social, recreation and self-development opportunities for people with disabilities to connect, grow and belong.

Between Friends is grateful to the hundreds of individuals, corporations, service clubs and foundations that make our programs a success. We particularly want to mention our:

For more than 30 years, Between Friends has been offering children and youth, and more recently adults, a variety of programs that remove the barriers of isolation and truly function as the building blocks of friendship.

Werunmorethan130programsinfivesocialandrecreation program areas designed to meet the needs of more than 59 disability groups. We also encourage inclusive program participation by offering program spaces for those who do not have a disability.

We encourage diversity by connecting our community with their fellow citizens with disabilities, providing ongoingdevelopmentandbenefitingallpeoplethroughthe sharing of unique talents and perspectives.

With your generous support, Between Friends ensures that every child, youth and adult with a wish to attend our programs is granted the opportunity through subsidies and fee assistance.

about us

For more information:

Suzanne Jackett CEO 403 508 0112 sjackett@betweenfriends.ab.ca

Cindy Neufeld Fund Development & Communications Manager 4032960257cneufeld@betweenfriends.ab.ca

Our I.C.A.N! (Inclusive Community Activities with No Barriers) programs and camps facilitate involvement in community recreation. Discovery and social interaction with typically-developing peers is a key experience.

W.E.S.O.A.R.! (Weekend & Evening Social Opportunities and Recreation) run throughout the year and include a variety of social and recreational group activities for all ages.

In the summer months, Camp Bonaventure, Camp Fun’zAmust, and Adventurers provide unforgettable experiences for children, youth, and adults.

205 8989 Macleod Trail SCalgary AB T2H 0M2T: 403 269 9133F: 403 269 3919betweenfriends.ab.ca