Contributed by Monique Nelson, Director of Community Engagement for posAbilities Today!
In the year 2013, posAbilities engaged its communities using social media in a very meaningful way. We shared 52 new stories on our blog, created a gardening instruction video series and other great videos, started pin boards to bookmark cool community resources and regularly tweeted and shared this info to hundreds of face book friends and followers on twitter. As we blog, post, pin and tweet, we are furthering our mission by creating and expanding online communities and personal relationships. Our engagement has never been greater through social media or traditional communications channels and we are seeing the results of this effort through continuous invitations to participate in new and exciting community initiatives.
I would like to thank our communications student interns from Simon Fraser University – Frank Davalos, Justine Chubb, Caitlin Dawson, the Stage Door players and the consultants who worked with us on various projects – Alisha Mann, Cinthia Pagé, Josh Rimer, Spotlight Jake Anthony, Axiom News journalists and Mike Butcher. We couldn’t have achieved these new connections without you, or the many “social media mavens/ mavericks” who supported our collective efforts.
Consider the following list of top 12 news stories as your guide to stories that inspire! Drum roll please…
Inclusive employment, Gangnam Style – January 16th, 2013 – This video has 12,689 views!
SAFE committee striving to change generations – February 14th, 2013
New clinical leader embraces ‘exciting times’ – May 1st, 2013
Sports fans build community through team sponsorship – May 8th, 2013
Garden event unites community with UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage – June 19th, 2013
Joe’s Table brews an abilities-friendly workplace – July 3rd, 2013
Block party a ‘great success’ – July 10th, 2013
We need new conversations inside and outside community living: Gord Tulloch – July 31st, 2013
Planting another seed for community – September 12th, 2013
Collaboration brings mixed-income families together – October 2nd, 2013
Group art projects build community – October 23rd, 2013
Stage Door PSA urges public to see past labels, celebrates UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities – November 27th, 2013
Collaboration with a wide variety of community partners both within and outside of our sector produced vibrant arts and cultural events, neighbourhood celebrations, family support gatherings and more. In sum, we hosted many, many conversations that deepened our community connections and opened up opportunities to improve the quality of life for the persons whom we serve and those who support them. It has been a very good year!
I wish all of our readers a joyous launch to 2014 and invite you to continue to connect with us.
