Most people would love the chance to make some extra mon-

ey, but finding a job isn't always easy. And finding the right

job is even harder! What if you could make money doing the

things you like to do?

Could you be self-employed? Start by thinking about every-

thing you are really good at and enjoy doing . Ask the peo-

ple who know you best, what they think we are good at too.

Make a list of every idea you come up with - even if you don’t

think it’s a good one. Does anything stand-out? Is there an

obvious way that you can turn your hobby into a job? Maybe

not, but don’t give up, because that doesn't mean it isn't pos-

sible!

If you are interested in working on a list or what steps to take

now that you have one, you can speak to a staff member or

contact Vita’s Outreach and Advocacy workers at 416-749-

6234 ext 250 or jgies@vitacls.org / awhynott@vitacls.org.

Want to be in the VMT? Reach out to us and share your ideas !

vi tamember t imes@vi tac ls .org

Vita Members Times

J u n e 2 0 1 9 V o l u m e 6 I s s u e 2

Equal Editors

Andrew Lewis

Bunmi Asaolu

Shane Hendy

Andrew Kestenbaum

Ashley Kay

April Whynott

Lets Talk About Working for Yourself...

Adam’s Update

Rights Group

Update

2

Annie’s

Story

3

Andrew G’s

Story

4

Roger’s

Stories

5

Cool

Happenings

6

Word Search 7

P a g e 2

Adams Update

“What do you love doing?” Starting a small business begins with asking that question. You have to know what you are really good at and what you really love doing. It ’s important to spend time thinking about your skills and your strengths as well as your passions and your preferences. It sounds wonderful to have your own business but it ’s a lot of work and a lot of risk. That’s why it’s important to do groundwork. I was at a conference where I met a woman with Down Syndrome who had started a cookie company. She handed out cookies to all of us and told us her story. She loved baking cookies. She and her mother came up with a recipe and then she started baking. She sold them at craft fairs, at conferences and then, after a year, she was selling to grocery stores in her area. She now hires other people with disabilities to work in the kitchen with her. “I started with what I loved doing, ” she said. Begin at the beginning and figure out what you love doing and then figure out if you can turn that passion into a business. As always, VITA is here to help. Thank-You! Adam

V i t a M e m b e r s T i m e s

Rights Group Update

Please see the Cool Happenings section on page 6 for the

Rights Group Summer Updates. Thank You!

Members Working for Themselves

My name is Annie Sobryan and I live at Lynnford. I own my

own knitting and crochet business. My Mom taught me to knit

and it was a hobby that we did together. I also took classes at

The Community Hub to build my skills

before starting my own business.

I’ve had my business for a few years

and I enjoy it. I’m happy and proud to

have my own business. I am working

with the Rights Group and helpers to

teach a workshop at Vita.

I make lots of things from headbands and hat and mitten sets, to blankets. It takes from a couple of days up to a month to make. I am al-ways looking for new business.

For prices and questions, you can contact me at anniesobry-an@yahoo.com or 1-705-910-2051.

V i t a

P a g e 3

P a g e 4

Members Working for Themselves

My name is Andrew Ginsberg. I am a member at Mill St. I am an

ambitious individual with a passion for cooking. I want to turn that

passion into a business and that is why I have decided to start my

own catering company. I attended Georgian College for culinary

arts in 2016 and from there my passion increased. I like to work

alone and promote my business by word of mouth.

I prepare different menus based on

the client and number of people.

Each person can decide what sort of

menu they would want after a brief

consultation with me. I take full

charge of the shopping, prepping and

cooking and therefore pricing may

vary.

If you would like to have more information, please don’t hesitate

to contact me at 905-833-9955 and ask for Andrew Ginsberg.

V i t a M e m b e r s T i m e s

P a g e 5

Members Working for Themselves

My name is Roger Desmarais, I am a member of VITA

and currently living at Mill St. I offer moving services. I

have always been a very helpful person helping family and

friends move. In the past year I have seen the benefits of

starting my own business. I work alone and promote my-

self by making flyers and giving out business cards.

My services cost $15 per

hour, but the price might

change depending on the job.

I have access to a van with

folding seats if needed. Boxes

must be packed and ready for

me to move. I would also

need to know 7 days in ad-

vance if the van is required so

I can have it ready for the move.

If you would like more information about my services

please don ’t hesitate to contact me at 905-833-9955 and

ask for Roger.

V i t a M e m b e r s T i m e s

P a g e 6

Cool Happenings

V i t a M e m b e r s T i m e s

The Rights Group is hosting a workshop. Our member,

Maria K. will be teaching interested members and staff

how to make Friendship Bracelets. The cost to join is $3

and includes materials to make your own bracelet. This is

happening Tuesdays July 9th until July 30th, from

11:00 – 1:00 in the Rights Group Office.

The Rights Group has joined the ODSP

Action Coalition. It is a province-wide

group of people who receive ODSP; and

the people who support them and their

needs. We will be meeting to talk about

how to fight to make ODSP better . If you

would like to be part of the next meeting, join us in the

Rights Group Office on July 17th from 2:30 - 5:00 pm.

D o y o u k n o w a s t a f f w h o w o u l d b e g o o d a t

s u p p o r t i n g t h e m e m b e r s w e e k l y n e w s l e t t e r

m e e t i n g s ? L e t t h e m k n o w t h a t t h e V i t a M e m -

b e r T i m e s i s l o o k i n g f o r a n o t h e r e q u a l e d i t o r

t o j o i n t h e t e a m .

E m a i l u s a t : v i t a m e m b e r t i m e s @ v i t a c l s . o r g

P a g e 7 Summertime Fun

1. SUNSCREEN 4. BASEBALL 7. HIKING 2. CAMPING 5. VACATION 8. SUNGLASSES 3 PICNIC 6. SWIMMING 9. BARBEQUE

B C N A U H L E V C J O N Q L

A A T I Z E N R I H C I T Z Q

S W I M M I N G G I I H I N N

U U J Y O J P I C N I C V N K

N Y N W U Z I T C C E S A I M

G X U S V F C W G B G W C N M

L J C H C P I D P N O L A E G

A R D I F R O B I R Q F T G I

S Y A Q T J E N L E Q U I N K

S B A B A R B E Q U E H O I S

E D E Q L P D H N T R B N P N

S Y V C P X J C R E T N E M Y

P Z X A I Y N V D D M N R A S

M Q H C R W U A Y H F D Y C E

G S G L L A B E S A B V X S E