Award Winning Design
Elves was recently honoured with the 2007 Mayor’s Award for Universal Design in Architecture. The award was presented to us for the addition to the Elves Adult & Youth Centre building. The building design was effectively equipped and functional for persons with disabilities.
This award demonstrates both our fiscal effectiveness and our great community support. The volunteers who generously contributed their time and expertise to the addition to the facility were one of the key factors in the success of this project. This is a great example of some of the many ways the community has reached out to support or organization.
Current Press Releases
June 1st, 2009
OFFICIAL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY
The Honourable Heather Klimchuk helps us put the shovels in the ground
Today's groundbreaking is the official start of construction for Elves Special Needs Society’s project to build an Adapted Recreation Area for severely and multiply disabled children, youth and adults. The estimated cost is $2.4 million and the completion is expected by spring 2010.
Less than a month ago, Elves was ready to start building but still needed funding to be able to break ground. With recent financial support from the Alberta Government’s special two-year Major Community Facilities Program, the shovels are now in the ground! On May 7, 2009, the Alberta Government invested $794,500 in the Adapted Recreation Area. A great deal of community support was required to receive the grant as the funds were provided on a matching basis.
“Raising money for this project has taken years and hours of fundraising,” says Elves Executive Director Cristina Molina, "getting to this point has not been easy. We would not be here today if it were not for the overwhelming support of our community—our partners, donors, volunteers, friends, and families of Elves."
The building is designed to offer flexibility so that Elves will be able to respond to the changing needs of the Edmonton and greater Edmonton area for those with disabilities.
“The main features will include a Central Recreation Area, two multi-use activity rooms and a kitchen,” says Molina, “which is the absolute best way of providing safe, accessible and regular recreation to our population.”
The Honourable Heather Klimchuk presented Cristina Molina with a scroll from the Premier of Alberta for congratulations on our Adapted Recreation Area project. (Please see below picture)
June 27, 2008
ELVES AND SAFEWAY TEAM UP FOR RECREATION
2008 We Care Campaign Comes to a Close
It started with an army of Christmas snowmen and ended with a generous donation of $17,527.19.
Safeway’s We Care Campaign has been a huge success from the stuffed snowmen given to the children at Elves Special Needs Society at Christmas to the Silent Auction Night held at Schank’s on March 28, 2008 to the Golf Tournament at the Sandpiper Golf and Country Club in St. Albert on June 14, 2008—Safeway volunteers have gone above and beyond to assist Elves in their goal to build an Adapted Recreation Area for the severely disabled children, youth and adults that go to Elves.
“Elves is delighted to be Canada Safeway District Office’s charity of choice for their 2008 We Care Campaign,” says Cristina Molina, Executive Director at Elves Special Needs Society. “Together, our focus is to improve the quality of life and support the day-to-day living of children with physical and developmental disabilities.”
The $17,527.19 cheque was presented to Elves Special Needs Society on June 25, 2008 by Donna Marchiel and fellow Safeway volunteer, Lori Davey at the Elves Child Development Centre —the months of hard work truly paying off with not a dry eye in the room.
Pictured below from left to right are Donna Marchiel, Marty Cender, Barb Tymchak-Olafson, Cristina Molina, and Lori Davey.
This project will improve the lives of more than 170 severely and multiply disabled and medically fragile children, youth and adults in Edmonton and its surrounding areas by helping to create an inviting, encouraging environment in which to experience regular and suitable recreational opportunities essential to their quality of life, health and well-being.
May 15, 2008
IT'S A SLAM DUNK SHOW AT ELVES
The Edmonton Chill Got Game
There was excitement and fun at Elves Adult & Youth Centre May 15th, when the Edmonton Chill made an appearance. Special needs youth and adults got to get up close and personal with Edmonton’s newest sports team.
The professional basketball team showed their stuff to the students, clients and staff at the centre…and then the students showed the team a thing or two. The visit was made in an effort to raise community awareness about the need for recreation in everyone’s life.
Team Centre, Lee Scruggs, and Chill Guard, Rashaun Broadus, entertained the adults and youth with their amazing skills and with the help of Owner, Troy Barns, passed out some Chill gear and made the day one that won’t soon be forgotten.
“The highlight of the visit was having the opportunity to see world-class athletes show just how much they care about community,” says Cristina Molina, Elves Special Needs Society Executive Director, “The Edmonton Chill truly went out of their way to give our youth and adults a fun-filled experience to remember, and they delivered!”
Elves is a non-profit organization serving the needs of the severely, multiply and medically fragile disabled community in Edmonton and surrounding areas since 1973.
April 28, 2008
BUILDING FUTURES
NAIT Students Work to Make Rec Area Reality
It’s what all students want, the opportunity to put learned skills to work in a practical setting. For six of NAIT’s students this became a reality.
Elves Special Needs Society worked with NAIT students to build an architectural plan for the soon-to-be-constructed Adapted Recreation Area for the severely disabled. The project was unveiled at the Elves Child Development Centre on Tuesday, April 22 and helped give practical experience to some up-and-coming architects.
“This model is an invaluable tool in helping Elves gain community interest and support for this important project,” says Cristina Molina, Executive Director of Elves Special Needs Society, “The model will be used at the centre and at promotional displays to illustrate the society’s vision for this project.”
The students, pictured below, volunteered their time and knowledge to make this project a success. Christine Nielsen, Nicole Petryshen, Matthew St. Onge, Claudia Garcia, Natalie Moores and Kyla Holinaty are all second year students in the Architectural Technology Program at NAIT and are already getting a taste of the practical applications of their courses.
These NAIT students, with the help of architect Chris Idenouye AAA, MRAIC, LEED AP, of Cohos Evamy, designed the architectural model using leftover and extra materials to minimize costs and bring dimension to the building addition at the Elves Adult and Youth Centre.
The addition of the Adapted Recreation Area will provide the Elves population with different types of stimulation that will assist them in specific areas of development and give them the enjoyment and fun of recreation to improve their quality of life.
This project will be used as a key element in the Adapted Recreation Area Project to communicate the Society’s idea for the building.
March 19, 2008
MOTOR DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION GETS INVOLVED
The Spirit of Giving Springs Forward
The melting of snow is not the only sign of warmth in Edmonton this week.
Elves Special Needs Society was the recipient of warm tidings as it was given a cheque
for $500.00 on March 18th. The money received will go toward one of Elves’ many
initiatives to help improve the quality of life of its severely disabled population.
The Motor Dealers’ Association Benevolent Society of Alberta generously provided the
donation on behalf of Mr. Michael Atkin of Anglo Canadian Motors in recognition of
the vital programs and services provided by Elves. Mr. Atkin provided matching funds
to this donation.
The money will contribute to the building of an Adapted Recreation Area at the Elves
Adult & Youth Centre. The money for this project will directly contribute to the health
and well-being of more than 170 severely and multiply disabled and medically fragile
children, youth and adults in Edmonton and its surrounding areas.
“Community interest and contributions are so vital to our children,” says Elves Special
Needs Society President, Sue Paranica, “because there are no designated funds for capital
projects and specialized equipment.”
With the growth of Elves’ programs and the lack of suitable recreational facilities for
people with severe disabilities in Edmonton—now, more than ever, an on-site adapted
recreation area is necessary.
The support from the MDA and others in the community is key in creating opportunities
for the severely disabled community and is a testament to the great community support that Elves has.