Winnifred Stewart Building Get's Fresh New Name!

December 3, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Centre for Community Inclusion
Bringing Community Together Through Partnerships


(Edmonton, Alberta): Friday, December 3, 2021, is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and Winnifred Stewart, ABC Head Start Society and Community Options, are honoured to announce the renaming of their Westmount location as the Centre for Community Inclusion.

The building located at 11130 131 Street in Edmonton was built in 1953; formerly, the Winnifred Stewart School for children with developmental disabilities was one of the first of its kind in Canada.

Today, Winnifred Stewart, provides home supports, community recreation and employment and volunteer opportunities to nearly 200 adults with developmental disabilities, and specializes in dementia care support, and advocacy for the importance of inclusive employment.

For over 35 years, ABC Head Start has worked primarily with neurodiverse children and their families who often face layered complexities such as poverty, food insecurity, and other challenges. The flexible supports in ABC’s classrooms empower all children to realize their unlimited potential, while one-on-one therapies with a variety of professionals ensure all children and families have equal access to education and a joy for learning.

Community Options believes in offering children and families an inclusive experience to develop their full potential, regardless of their abilities. For over 40 years, they have been supporting the diverse learning needs of children and families through the provision of high-quality, inclusive early childhood education, early intervention, childcare, family supports and community initiatives.

Along with the three pillar organizations, the building is also home to community programs offered by Autism Edmonton, Alberta Cerebral Palsy Association and the Paralympic Sports Association.

Earlier this year, the organizations engaged community stakeholders in the renaming process through a building naming competition. “We believe that the Centre for Community Inclusion better illustrates the comprehensive services offered to people with disabilities that are now provided within the building,” says Sue Gilchrist, CEO for Winnifred Stewart.

Partnership and co-location have enhanced the diversity and available resources to families and individuals, but more importantly, better integration of lifelong supports for Albertans and Edmontonians with developmental disabilities. It allows for collaboration in funding opportunities and increased efficiencies for all three organizations.

The Centre for Community Inclusion partners look forward to offering more opportunities to collaborate with the community and open the doors as a resource to the broader public.


Media inquiries may be directed to:
Candace Smallwood
Director of Development & Communications
Winnifred Stewart Association
11130 131 Street
Edmonton, AB T5M 1C1
W. 780-453-6707 ext. 246
C. 780-974-3190
E. candaces@wsaf.ca

The Edmonton Elks 50/50 Event in support of Winnifred Stewart is back!

The Edmonton Elks are proud to announce the return of the one-day Joey Moss 50/50 sponsored by James H. Brown Injury Lawyers.

Proceeds of the 50/50 will go to the Joey Moss Memorial Fund again this year, to continue Joey's legacy of advocating for employment and other meaningful opportunities for people with developmental disabilities through:

·         raising awareness about inclusive employment;

·         fostering employment & entrepreneurship opportunities;

·         and supporting employment programs for people with developmental disabilities throughout Alberta

Read the full press release here

The Joey Moss Memorial Fund Partners with Special Olympics Edmonton

Winnifred Stewart donates $20,000 to Special Olympics Edmonton, in honor of Joey Moss’ 1 year anniversary of passing.

The Joey Moss Memorial Fund is proud to partner with Special Olympics Edmonton, with a donation of $20,000 in support The Joey Moss Invitational Floor Hockey Tournament.

With over 300 athletes from 10 Special Olympics affiliates, athletes will compete in a full day of floor hockey, one of the many events that Joey was so passionate about. In addition, funds will be used to cover off additional costs needed to run the program throughout the year.

Winnifred Stewart and Special Olympics Edmonton are committed to carrying on Joey’s legacy through impactful events and awareness for inclusion. Now more than ever, it is important that we support vulnerable members of the community and re-connect them through meaningful opportunities and experiences; the two organizations look forward to continuing to partner on projects to continue to make this a reality.

The Joey Moss Memorial Fund (JMMF) was created after Joey's passing on October 26, in response to Joey's family's request for donations in lieu of flowers, to be provided to Winnifred Stewart. In collaboration with the Moss Family, it was established that funds raised by the Joey Moss Memorial Fund would be used to continue Joey's legacy of advocating for employment and other meaningful opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

The priorities of this fund are to first and foremost:

-Raise Awareness

-Foster Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities

-Support Employment Programs throughout Alberta through Community Funding

“Winnifred Stewart is humbled and honored to have the support of the community to fulfill these missions and be able to support other like-minded organizations. Joey’s memory lives on within our community and his advocacy work continues to make a difference in the lives of other people with developmental disabilities.” says Sue Gilchrist, CEO of Winnifred Stewart.

For more information about the impact within the community through programs offered by the Joey Moss Memorial Fund and Special Olympics Edmonton, Please visit: www.joeymossmemorialfund.ca and www.specialolympicsedmonton.ca

Media Contact:

Candace Smallwood

Director of Development & Communications CandaceS@wsaf.ca

780-974-3190

Thorsby Lions Club Donates $10,200!

Between The Pigeon Lake Music Festival 50/50 draw and The Empties for Joey Campaign, The Thorsby Lions Club were able to raise $10,200 to give to Winnifred Stewart in support of our programs. We couldn’t be more grateful for the involvement of the Thorsby Lions and their community, they worked hard to help make a difference and support our organization!

A bit about the Thorsby Lions and their Involvement with Winnifred Stewart:

The Lions Club chooses an organization each year that they can support, as their motto is "To Serve". They typically hold free events in our community but haven’t been able to for the past 20 months, due to the pandemic. The choice for WS came from the Thorsby Lions Club President Nathan Raymond as he listens to the bear daily and Scott pulled all his heart strings with all the stories of Joey Moss, when speaking about the Empties for Joey Campaign. One thing led to another, and they received the opportunity to take over Empties for Joey once the Bear had concluded the campaign. The Bear provided their ads, and the club had some banners made up, which were fastened to Nathan’s father’s big red international rig parked on Hankin street. So many people dropped off empties daily through the summer, the truck was filled almost daily and the donations filled almost half of the 24-foot box by the end of august. In July the Pigeon Lake Music festival contacted the club to handle the 50/50 draw, which was the largest scale the club has ever ben involved with, with the help of their incredibly supportive community they ran the 50/50 for 3 days!

Today is Officially Proclaimed Joey Moss Day!

In honour of Joey's birthday - today is officially Joey Moss Day!

Proclamation:

WHEREAS, Joseph Neil Moss, affectionately known as Joey Moss, was a positive, enthusiastic and passionate dressing room attendant for the Edmonton Oilers and the former Edmonton Eskimos;

AND WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, Joey captured the hearts of sports fans with his unrelenting enthusiasm and excitement;

AND WHEREAS, Joey was an inspiration for so many, advocating for inclusion for people with developmental disabilities;

AND WHEREAS, Joey has left an incredible legacy and Edmontonians will always remember him and the joy he brought to every single hockey and football game;

THEREFORE I, MAYOR DON IVESON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 “JOEY MOSS DAY”

IN EDMONTON, ALBERTA’S CAPITAL CITY.

2021 Joey Moss Memorial Golf Classic

We had an incredible day on Monday and cannot thank everyone enough for all the generosity and support that you have shown to our organization, our tournament and to our wonderful clients. 

We would like to again thank all our sponsors this year, as we have had more sponsorship support than ever before! Without our sponsors, tournaments like ours would not be possible, their support makes the experience like no other. 

Thank you to: 
Presenting Sponsor: The Co-operators 

Welcome Sponsor: Rotary Club of Edmonton Mayfield  

Hot Stove Sponsor: Crystal Glass 

Golf Cart Sponsor: ACI Architects 

Swag Sponsor: Complete Shipping Solutions 

Hole-In-One Sponsor: AutoCanada - Parkland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Food Sponsors: Hello Mochi, Woodshed Burgers, Toast Culture, Nineteen & Vivo 

Beverage Sponsors: Green Bottle Depot, Accurate Network Services, Fairfield Watson Inc., On the Rocks & Krawford Construction 

Volunteer Sponsors: Eden Textiles & Braithwaite Boyle 

Ladies Longest Drive Sponsor: GD Liquidators 

Men’s Longest Drive Sponsor: Sentinel Storage 

Closest to the Pin Sponsor: Sentinel Storage 

Friends of Joey Sponsors: Altek Supply, GeoVerra & Sportclips

We’d also like to thank all of the alumni from the Edmonton Elks and Edmonton Oilers for coming out. We appreciate all the memories that were shared of Joey and all the new memories they were able to help create 

Thank you to: 

Gene Principe, Ron Low, Barrie Stafford, Craig Simpson, Jason Chimera, Jim Crosson, Jeff Deslauriers, Kyle Brodziak, Bryon Baltimore, Doug Hicks, Lyle Kulchisky, Ken Lowe, Ed Jones, Mike Cvik, Justin Sorensen, Rod Connop, Eddie Steele, Grant Shaw, Ryan King, Brian Fryer and Eric Upton

Because everyone involved, we had 164 golfers attending the event, creating one of the largest golf tournaments Blackhawk has ever had! We were also able to attain our goal and then some, with $118,000 raised, nearly doubling our previous year at $61,000! 

As some may know, all proceeds from the Golf Classic Event will go towards the Joey Moss Memorial Fund. The fund directly contributes to continuing Joey's legacy of advocating for employment and other meaningful opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.  

On Behalf of The Joey Moss Memorial Golf Committee, thank you again for your support, it truly means the world and we look forward to seeing everyone next year! 

September is Joey Moss Month!

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2021

(Edmonton, AB) – September 1st marks the beginning of Joey Moss Month, here in Edmonton.

This September, join the Moss family, the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Elks, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, Winnifred Stewart and many more, in celebrating Joey Moss.

Throughout the month of September, join us as we Remember Joey’s spirit, friendship and the impact he made on our lives; Honour Joey’s dedication to inclusive employment advocacy; Recognize the capabilities in everyone; and React, creating the change by becoming an inclusive employer, or by supporting the cause.

Visit the new joeymossmemorialfund.ca website, and social media channels to check out all of the celebrations honouring Joey through the month of September and find out how you can get involved!

Joey Moss Month Events include:

• September 1st - Launch of Joey Moss Memorial Fund website and social media channels joeymossmemorialfund.ca/, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

• September 13th - Joey Moss Memorial Golf Classic at Blackhawk Golf Club

• September 25th – Joey Moss Day Proclamation by Mayor Don Iveson

• Edmonton Elks and Edmonton Oilers Joey Moss Tributes

• JMMF Community Donation Presentation to Joey’s Charity of Choice

With the creation of the Joey Moss Memorial Fund (JMMF), after Joey Moss’ passing in October 2020, Winnifred Stewart has a renewed focus to help more people with disabilities in Alberta achieve their dream of finding employment in inclusive, supportive workplaces.

Through the Joey Moss Memorial Fund, Winnifred Stewart will launch an inclusive employment awareness campaign this fall, sharing stories of employees of businesses throughout Alberta who have made diversity and inclusiveness a priority in their workplaces, as well as an Inclusive Employment Job Board, and a Community Grants Program.

For more information about the programs offered by the Joey Moss Memorial Fund, or to contribute, please visit our website and social media channels.

Media Contact:

Candace Smallwood
Director of Development & Communications
CandaceS@wsaf.ca
780-974-3190
https://www.joeymossmemorialfund.ca/

Inclusive Employment with the Edmonton Elks

On Friday July 23rd, Winnifred Stewart’s CEO Sue Gilchrist was on CBC to chat about the Edmonton Elks and the Employment Readiness Program! She discusses the Employment Readiness Program and the importance of an inclusive workspace, as well as the benefits from an employer’s perspective.

Check out the link below to listen to the segment “Inclusive Employment with the Edmonton Elks”

Listen Now!

Edmonton Elks & Winnifred Stewart Working to Get More People with Disabilities Employed

Release: Edmonton Elks & Winnifred Stewart Working to Get More People with Disabilities Employed 

(Edmonton, AB) – The Edmonton Elks and Winnifred Stewart are joining forces to help create more inclusive workplaces and get more people with disabilities employed.  

With the creation of the Joey Moss Memorial Fund (JMMF), after Joey Moss’ passing in October 2020, Winnifred Stewart has a renewed focus to help more people with disabilities in Alberta achieve their dream of finding employment in inclusive, supportive workplaces.   

Through the JMMF, Winnifred Stewart will launch an inclusive employment awareness campaign this fall, sharing stories of businesses throughout Alberta who have made diversity and inclusiveness a priority in their workplaces through hiring people with disabilities.  

Having employed Joey Moss from 1986-2020, the Edmonton Elks know the value that hiring people with disabilities brings to their business. As they prepare for their August 7th season start, the Edmonton Elks have ensured that they continue to provide an inclusive workplace, hiring two new employees with developmental disabilities earlier this month. 

Craig & Carmela at Commonwealth Stadium

“A strong team comes from a strong community – how do the Elks show strength off the field? They live inclusion by hiring Edmontonians with developmental disabilities and showcasing the diversity of strength available to all organizations in Edmonton” says Winnifred Stewart CEO, Sue Gilchrist.  

Craig and Carmela (pictured here), both supported by Winnifred Stewart, have joined the Marketing and Ticketing Teams with the Edmonton Elks. Craig and Carmela bring valuable experience and capabilities that will positively impact the Edmonton Elks business and its overall organizational culture.  

“Everyone knows how highly we thought of Joey Moss.  We made a public commitment to continue his legacy, and we are very proud to now have an Edmonton Elks Football Club employment program that Winnifred Stewart has developed in association with our team. There is no question we would not have had this program without a strong relationship with the Winnifred Stewart Association and especially Joey. We welcome Craig and Carmella to our Elks team.”  says Elks President, Chris Presson. 

Craig, Chris Presson, Edmonton Elks President, Carmela at Elks Head Office

As a major contributor to the fund with the first of its annual online 50/50 events taking place last fall, the Elks have shown their commitment to ensuring people with disabilities are respected in our community and are given the opportunity to show how they can be valuable, contributing members of any business.   

The 50/50 event held this past November raised over $350,000 towards the Memorial Fund. The Elks plan to help Winnifred Stewart promote the upcoming awareness campaign and encourage other businesses to create more inclusive workplaces of their own.  

“We’re so honoured to be working with and to have such tremendous support from the Edmonton Elks,” says Candace Smallwood, Director of Development & Communications for Winnifred Stewart “their dedication to supporting people with disabilities and the community as a whole is really inspiring.”   

Winnifred Stewart launched a new 10-week job-readiness program this past May. Through the combination of job-hunting preparation and work experience, participants will be ready to begin their job search to start their career with renewed self-confidence, knowledge and experience.    

Ongoing funding for the Employment Readiness Program, awareness campaign, and other initiatives that facilitate inclusive workplaces and create more employment opportunities for people with disabilities will be provided by ongoing fundraising campaigns of the Joey Moss Memorial Fund, like the Joey Moss Memorial Golf Classic, taking place on Monday, September 13th at Blackhawk Golf Club. 

For more information about the programs offered by the Joey Moss Memorial Fund, or to contribute, please contact: 

Candace Smallwood 
Director of Development & Communications 
CandaceS@wsaf.ca 
780-974-3190 
winnifredstewart.com/joey-moss-memorial-fund  

 or

Evan Daum 
Manager, Communications and Media Relations 
Edmonton Elks 
evan.daum@goelks.com 
780-719-6820 
goelks.com/  

Invitation to WSA's Virtual Town Hall - Monday, July 5 (6pm)

Dear WSA Families and Guardians,

Please join Winnifred Stewart Association's CEO, Sue Gilchrist, for a virtual Town Hall on the new COVID guidelines.

Topic: WSA Families & Guardians Town Hall

Time: Monday, July 5th, 2021 - 6 PM

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83318542190

Meeting ID: 833 1854 2190

Passcode: WSA123

One tap mobile: +17789072071,,83318542190# Canada

Dial by your location: +1 778 907 2071 Canada

+1 587 328 1099 Canada

If you have any questions or concerns in advance of this town hall, please don't hesitate to contact Sue at 780-222-3440.