Freedom Respite Program

08/29/2025

Today was the last day for our ‘back to school’ crew and we celebrated it with a glorious Spa Day. We made homemade bath bombs, were treated to a delicious pizza lunch (thank you Ashton and Karen!), then spent the rest of the afternoon primping and pampering. I now know what it’s like to work in a salon! 🤣🥰

A spa (aka self-care) day offers a rejuvenating experience promoting relaxation, improved circulation, and reduced muscle tension. It supports mental well-being, can enhance skin health and provides a peaceful, intentional, space to recharge both the body and mind.

08/28/2025

Every other Wednesday is locked in for Music Therapy and Bowling. Why? Because there is power in predictable routines. 🥰

08/27/2025

What’s on your summer bucket list… day 7. Today was Chris and Brian’s day and they picked Ojibway. It was a beautiful day to soak up some of the last days of summer in a lush forest with the butterflies, chipmunks, & birds. 🥰

08/23/2025

Thanks to a generous grant from the WEFN is reaching out to families who have an ADULT (18+) family member with a developmental disability to ask what WEFN could do to provide more information, support and resources that would best meet the needs of your family. Please take a moment to fill out our confidential survey and if you complete it before September 12, 2025 you will be entered in a draw to win a $50 grocery card. https://forms.gle/W2JvoUtVRwFPjbJB8

08/22/2025

What’s on your summer bucket list… day 6. Today was ‘everyone’s’ day; a day to support businesses doing great things in our community.

First stop: A delicious breakfast (they literally ate every last bite!) at Ten Friends Diner, a local non-profit/charitable organization that provides employment training for individuals who have struggles/d with mental illness. The prices were fantastic (with no tax!) and we received amazing service.
Last stop: Pet Valu, and a visit with one of their foster cats up for adoption. As we’re not ready for a cat (and yes, they asked lol) we think it would be awesome to spread the word about Hocus Pocus and her story. She is a sweet girl (with a history 😆) looking for her forever home and we are hopeful that our friends will share her information too. 🥰

08/20/2025

What’s on your summer bucket list… day 5. Today was J and Cody’s day and they picked Devonshire Mall. We made it extra fun by taking on the ‘Pose Like A Mannequin’ trend and picking up some essentials at Dollarama. We also grabbed a few things for Spa Day. 🤩

08/18/2025

What’s on your summer bucket list… day 4. Today was Nick’s day and he picked mini golf at Silver Tee Indoor Golf.

Playing miniature golf offers both learning and health benefits. It helps improve hand-eye coordination, concentration, and strategic thinking as players plan shots and navigate obstacles. Physically, it encourages light exercise through walking, bending, and swinging, promoting balance and cardiovascular health. It’s also a fun, low-stress way to support social interaction and mental well-being.

08/15/2025

Today’s whole-group learning focus was communication and social skills. ❤️

Activities like ‘This or That’ support communication and social skills by encouraging participants to express their opinions, listen to others, and engage in respectful conversation. It creates a fun and safe space to practice sharing ideas, taking turns, and understanding different perspectives. When prompts are added (we did one for each) to explain choices or ask follow-up questions, the game becomes a tool for deeper learning, helping players build critical thinking skills (e.g., the ability to make timely decisions) and confidence in their ability to express their thoughts.

08/12/2025

Today we visited the Amherstburg Navy Yard National Historic Site and enjoyed some Waterfront Ice Cream. 😋

08/12/2025

It’s free!

Happy Monday everyone! We are thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Ice Cream Social will be held on Sept 27th. This event is for families who have a loved one with a disability and is ALL AGES and for ALL ABILITIES. We have limited space so be sure to register soon https://forms.gle/1wxupjWAo3dWwwzd8.

08/11/2025

What’s on your summer bucket list, day 3. Today was G’s day and water = JOY! Shout out to our friends at Hand Over Hand Respite who introduced us to the fountain at City Hall Square. We loved it! 🥰

Water provides a rich sensory experience by engaging multiple senses, promoting sensory integration. The sound and feel of water can be very calming and soothing, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It can produce proprioceptive feedback, which helps individuals understand where their body is in space, improving body awareness. Water activities can provide opportunities for social interaction in a relaxed and fun way which can improve communication and social skills.

08/08/2025

What’s on your summer bucket list, day 2. Tessa and Vee picked ‘Crafts’. Dale and Alyssa picked ‘Just Dance’. Brian built an awesome gift for his dad. ❤️

Guided drawing and dance activities enhance fine and gross motor skills, improve focus, and encourage creativity. These activities also build listening skills, spatial awareness, and the ability to follow directions. Through movement and art, participants are able to express emotion, strengthen memory, and develop confidence in a fun, engaging way. There’s no better way to learn. ❤️