History

On July 21, 2006, Blue Veil Charity was granted authorization to operate and establish programs for young adults with various developmental and/or physical challenges called the Sara Elizabeth Centre.  SEC is a community- ‘arts’ based centre for youth which provides inclusive programs primarily through music throughout the year.  It provides a day program for post 21 students who are not returning back to school,  summer camps, march break, Christmas break and Saturday social  for youth 16+.  SEC aims to  assist and support the diverse needs of all individuals with disabilities regardless of their nationality, race, religion or financial resource and where “everyone can shine like a star”
The Sara Elizabeth Centre was named after Sara Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Cris Smith, Executive Director.  Sara was one of nine children born to Cris and Don Smith who was born with Trisomy 13, a chromosome condition associated with certain physical abnormalities and who died only 26 days after being born on April 15, 1997.  For everyone in the Smith family, Sara was a beautiful little girl whom they cherished for 26 days.  Sara was a precious gift from God and although she lived for such a short while, Sara taught her family how to embrace life.

Neeedless to say, everyone was affected by Sara’s death, especially Cris, her mother, who felt as though the light of life had gone out.  It wasn’t until she began searching in scripture for answers that she found one particular passage that spoke to her,  “Let the light of life shine” (Job 33:30)  Today Cris and her family help others with special needs at the Sara Elizabeth Centre whose motto is “Let the Light of Life Shine” in the beauty and uniqueness of everyone.

Our Philosophy

At Sara Elizabeth Centre our motto is “Let the Light of Life Shine”and we are committed and stand by in providing quality programs that will assist and support the diverse needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities and provide respite for their families and care givers. The Centre recognizes the
uniqueness of each member in the program and believes that “everyone can shine like a star” and can live more fruitful, productive and independent lives if they are provided with appropriate inclusive programs. We work collaboratively with parents and support personnel to provide a program where each individual with exceptionalities can grow spiritually, intellectually,
socially, physically and emotionally to ultimately reach their fullest potential.

Focus

Sara Elizabeth Centre is a community-based youth centre which  focuses  on providing quality year round ‘arts’ programs where they develop independence and build self esteem.  The participants express themselves through the art of music, drama and dance and life skills where their talents are giving an opportunity to shine throughout the community.  Each program provides opportunities to showcase to other community members who are invited to come out and spend a day with us.  SEC also integrates our participants who work together with our Blue Veil team and host on a weekly basis workshops and/or retreats held for elementary and/or secondary schools students who come from the various school boards to spend a day with us. SEC participants and the visiting students establish meaningful, lasting one –to-one friendship.  Their participation as hosts to our weekly guest continues to integrate them in an inclusive environment which in turn not only helps increase their self-esteem and confidence but gives them an opportunity to experience a sense of fellowship with their peers.

Special Needs Experts

At Sec we’ve enabled participants with a wide range of developmental and/or physical disabilities to fully participate in our programs with confidence and pride.  We work from a person-centered philosophy where we recognize the uniqueness of each member in the program and believe that “Everyone can shine like a star” and can live more fruitful productive and independent lives if they are provided with appropriate inclusive programs.  We work collaboratively with parents and support personnel to provide a program where each individual with exceptionalities can grow to reach their fullest potential.


Staff Ratio  1 to 5

We know that personal attention is instrumental in the success of each and every participant, so our staff to youth ratio is 1 to 5.  Our programs are further enhanced by qualified social service workers, E.A., and many volunteers who carry a wealth of experience both in the social services field and the arts and help to support our programs and participants.  Providing a safe and nurturing environment is of utmost importance, both emotionally and physically.  There is always at least one staff member with first-aid certification on site at our programs.

Programs Suitability?

We know that suitability of the program is often a concern for participants and their families and/or caregivers.  We are happy to offer a trial visit free of charge.  After the session we’ll consult with the participant and family to determine if it was a good fit, or whether we have another program that would be better suited for the individual.

Program Location

Sara Elizabeth Centre
7412 Kipling Ave. (Kipling & Hwy 7)
Vaughan, On  L4L 1Y4
905-851-3972

Sara Elizabeth Centre operates its programs out of the Ciocaro Social Club site located in Vaughan on Kipling just south of Hwy 7.  SEC programs run on site from our Sara Elizabeth Centre building having access to the large picnic grounds that can easily hold over 200 people and where our SEC participants get to enjoy daily outdoor recreation activities and celebrations.  The banquet hall adjacent to SEC provides adequate space for Blue Veil Charity and Sara Elizabeth Centre to facilitate weekly workshops and retreats for schools.  It also allows us to show case SEC celebrations and drama presentations. The indoor bocce courts also provide our participants and guests a time to come together to share in a great Italian sport.

Employment

FULLTIME and or PART-TIME  Our services extend throughout the year as we operate a day program, Summer Camp, March Break, Christmas Break and a Saturday Social.   
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICE WORKERS address the social, emotional and cognitive needs of participants in the full day program.  These instructors are developmental service workers, EA, Social Service Workers, and  act as mentors and leaders in program delivery.

Co-Operative Education & Field Placement

The Sara Elizabeth Centre provides opportunities for integrated employment and volunteer positions giving both the opportunity to work alongside professional staff.  Our programs are also perfectly suited for volunteers from Co-op education programs and/or field placements, especially those who intend to pursue a career in the arts, social and health services, or teaching.    
The Centre enlists community volunteers that will assist in program planning and delivery.  Through our community steering committee SEC incorporates community participation and input.  Volunteers are recruited on a continuous basis to assist in various aspects of program delivery.  The primary role of volunteers will be to mentor participants in safe and nurturing environment.  Volunteers at the Centre will be actively involved in program delivery by providing one on one assistance or peer to peer communication.  Volunteers will assist in the life coaching skills component of the program and will also provide valuable input to program leadership and staff.  The dynamics achieved through participants working together as a team has a far reaching effect.

Special Guest Artists

The Centre develops and recruits Program Activity Presenters. These will include: 
Local artists and professional instructors in the arts/drama field and provide customized programming for the Sara Elizabeth Centre.  These enriched activities will stimulate the mind and senses for learners.
Life skill program instructors either through qualified staff and/or volunteers and incorporate a such activities as:  computer training, cooking and self-grooming, literacy and numeracy skill building activities and others.
Local fitness instructors and community volunteers offer organized physical activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.  Local partnerships are developed throughout the year and incorporate such services in the community such as Karate4Life,  Yoga,  Aerobics instruction, Bocce, outdoor recreational games. 

Program Goals & Objective

• To provide individuals with a setting that promotes self-advocacy, individuality, teamwork, life skills, self-esteem and independence.
• To integrate individuals who are developmental and/or physically challenged with their non-disabled peers and establish meaningful, lasting one-to-one friendships.
• To motivate, encourage, and recognize the uniqueness of each individual and allow their talents to shine like a star throughout the community.
• To assist and support the diverse needs and abilities of each individual n order to reach their fullest potential.
• To provide a safe and supportive environment that encourages self-expression
• To teach each individual the skills that will assist them in living independently and gaining employment
• To provide respite for families and caregivers.

What To Expect

The Sara Elizabeth Centre will offer a full day program for young adults with special needs that includes but is not limited to:

• Theme-based daily activities
• The provision of an arts program
• The inclusion of a music program
• The incorporation of life skills training such as cooking, grooming, etc.
• The delivery of basic to intermediate level computer training courses
• The offering of education programs in literacy and numeracy
• The participation in physical activity to promote physical, emotional and cognitive well-being
• The opportunity to engage in co-op or volunteer opportunities
• Guest speakers, open houses and community event

The Sara Elizabeth Centre has four foci: music, the arts, physical activity and life skills

ARTS PROGRAM:

MUSIC
By using video technology and other digital recording devices, participants learn the basic elements of music through listening, performing and creating.  They are given the opportunity to record, compose and perform their own music, as well as participate in musical performances for schools onsite an off site that will nurture verbal, musical and social skills and emphasize self-esteem, teamwork, accomplishment and fun.

DANCE
SEC participants learn how to express their feelings and ideas through creative movement and improvisation experiences.  They work on physical coordination, self-expression isolated movements and identify and perform various dance styles that help expand their capabilities in the world of movement and dance.

DRAMA
Through the use of creative play, participants develop important expressive and receptive verbal and non-verbal communication skills.  They explore common thematic topics which helps them communicate their thoughts and feelings.  They work on theatrical performances, story playing, improvisation and activities that develop their concentration, observation and imaginative thinking.

COMPUTER SKILLS
With the use of computers and assistive technology, clients will learn typing/keyboarding skills, how to use the internet and email features, word processing, how to create with pictures and identify letters and words, shapes and numbers, colours and objects, binary concepts (big/small/fat/thin) math problems, etc.

ARTS AND CRAFTS
Art is relevant to anyone with disabilities because it promotes creativity, independence, dignity, community integration, self-expression, a positive self image and the pleasure that come from creating.  Participants use imaginative thinking and improve their ey-hand coordination through the use of fine motor skills.

Funding

Registration fee may be covered by personal private insurance,  Special Services at Home or through Passport funding.

Donate

Individual Giving
“Let the Light of Life Shine”  Our youth are the Light of the World and everyone should have an opportunity to shine like stars.  With your support and donations we can offer more accessible programming.

Click below to fund SEC programs!
Secure donations through PayPal accepts all major credit cards.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship is an indispensable component of Sara Elizabeth Centre.  As a registered non-profit charity we strive to keep our programs and services at a minimum cost by relying on in-kind donations and program fees.  In-kind donations can take on many forms, including the donation of materials, the time of theater and arts professionals and artists, items for cooking, arts and crafts, snacks, and of course, financial sponsorship.  If you or your corporation would like to sponsor SEC, please contact us, or donate by PayPal

Here are a few examples of the range of SEC sponsorship needs:

• Art supplies
• Musical equipment
• Stage equipment
• Projector
• Guest artist appearances
• Snack and beverage
• Cooking items and utencils
• Stackable chairs
• Folding tables
• Computer  and computer games and educational programs
• Games and puzzles

OUR SUPPORTERS

SEC would like to thank the following individuals and corporations for their generous support.  We couldn’t do it without you!