LiveWorkPlay
Encyclopedia
LiveWorkPlay is a Canadian charitable organization
for people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in Ottawa
in 1995 by the husband and wife team of Keenan Wellar and Julie Kingstone, LiveWorkPlay was originally known as the Keen Learning Centre for Youth and then the Special Needs Network. LiveWorkPlay is an affiliate of Community Living Ontario
.
Soon after its founding as resource centre, the organization evolved, adopting a philosophy of supporting self-determination for people with intellectual disabilities. In 2001 the name was changed to LiveWorkPlay to focus on the organization's goal of promoting full participation and decision-making with regard to living situations, work, and play. In 2005 the LiveWorkPlay organization formally adopted self-advocacy
for people with intellectual disabilities as its mission.
In spring 2007 LiveWorkPlay became a housing provider for people with intellectual disabilities through the acquisition of condominium units in an existing Ottawa high rise. This decision came as an outcome of more than five years of practical and theoretical study and continuous consultation with adults with intellectual disabilities and their parents. The decision to pursue a non-institutional housing solution aroused significant interest in the field and the local media.
As an outcome of the organization's 2007 Visioning Day LiveWorkPlay adopted the new slogan A Good Life for People with Intellectual Disabilities in an effort to better connect LiveWorkPlay and its mission with the general public. The new slogan was announced at the annual Engines of Success recognition banquet along with a new effort to promote the self-advocacy
movement with the release of several video presentations.
In an effort to better share best practices and connect with like-minded organizations LiveWorkPlay joined Community Living Ontario
as the Ottawa Affiliate in 2008. The organization continues under the name LiveWorkPlay but has the option to use Community Living Ottawa.
LiveWorkPlay was the lead Ottawa area organization in marking the historical closure of Ontario's mass institutions for people with intellectual disabilities on March 31, 2009.
At the Annual General Meeting of 2010, LiveWorkPlay celebrated admission to the C3 Centre, which is a collaboration with United Way Ottawa, Volunteer Ottawa, Leadership Ottawa, the Social Planning Council of Ottawa and the Ottawa Chamber of Voluntary Organizations. The purpose of the centre is to create a mission-enhancing work space for collaboration and partnerships designed to build the capacity of the social services and voluntary sectors in Ottawa. Components of the C3 Centre include a resource centre, training centre, and incubation and hoteling services for small or start-up non-profits. The move to the C3 Centre was described as part of a broader strategy to shift from a social services to social change perspective.
) and a lifelong resident of Ottawa, Ontario is currently serving as LiveWorkPlay CEO and has public visibility as a media spokesperson. and an advocate of social media marketing for non-profit organizations.
Wellar completed a BA in History and a BEd with Ontario Teacher Certification at the University of Ottawa
, and is a graduate of the applied linguistics Master of Arts program at Carleton University
. Wellar also holds a of a Professional Certificate in Public Sector and Non-Profit Marketing from the Sprott School of Business.
Prior to working full-time with LiveWorkPlay, he managed the national Special Needs Education project (part of the Government of Canada's SchoolNet
program) from 1995-1997 as a Project Manager at Ingenia Communications Corporation
and represented Canada at the Seventh Annual Conference of the Internet Society.
In 2010 Wellar was surprised with a United Way Ottawa Community Builder Award acknowledging not only his work with LiveWorkPlay, but for volunteerism with many other community organizations, including more than 1000 hours with Meals on Wheels Ottawa, and pro bono social media marketing services to non-profit organizations.
Julie Kingstone (born 1973, in Ottawa, Ontario is currently serving as the organization's President. Kingstone completed a BSc and an MEd at the University of Ottawa
as well as a BA in Psychology from Carleton University
. Prior to working full-time with LiveWorkPlay, she worked in Palliative Care at the Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital, and had a long history working with youth, including mental health promotion with Youth Net/Réseau Ado and various roles with Christie Lake Camp. Kingstone was a finalist in the 2004 YM-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
for people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
in 1995 by the husband and wife team of Keenan Wellar and Julie Kingstone, LiveWorkPlay was originally known as the Keen Learning Centre for Youth and then the Special Needs Network. LiveWorkPlay is an affiliate of Community Living Ontario
Community Living Ontario
Community Living Ontario is a charitable organization in Ontario, Canada which states that it "works with communities to include people who have an intellectual disability in all aspects of community life." It advocates for the rights of people who have an intellectual disability focusing on...
.
Soon after its founding as resource centre, the organization evolved, adopting a philosophy of supporting self-determination for people with intellectual disabilities. In 2001 the name was changed to LiveWorkPlay to focus on the organization's goal of promoting full participation and decision-making with regard to living situations, work, and play. In 2005 the LiveWorkPlay organization formally adopted self-advocacy
Self-advocacy
Self-advocacy refers to the civil rights movement for people with developmental disabilities, also called cognitive or intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities. It is also an important term in the disability rights movement, referring to people with disabilities taking control of their own...
for people with intellectual disabilities as its mission.
In spring 2007 LiveWorkPlay became a housing provider for people with intellectual disabilities through the acquisition of condominium units in an existing Ottawa high rise. This decision came as an outcome of more than five years of practical and theoretical study and continuous consultation with adults with intellectual disabilities and their parents. The decision to pursue a non-institutional housing solution aroused significant interest in the field and the local media.
As an outcome of the organization's 2007 Visioning Day LiveWorkPlay adopted the new slogan A Good Life for People with Intellectual Disabilities in an effort to better connect LiveWorkPlay and its mission with the general public. The new slogan was announced at the annual Engines of Success recognition banquet along with a new effort to promote the self-advocacy
Self-advocacy
Self-advocacy refers to the civil rights movement for people with developmental disabilities, also called cognitive or intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities. It is also an important term in the disability rights movement, referring to people with disabilities taking control of their own...
movement with the release of several video presentations.
In an effort to better share best practices and connect with like-minded organizations LiveWorkPlay joined Community Living Ontario
Community Living Ontario
Community Living Ontario is a charitable organization in Ontario, Canada which states that it "works with communities to include people who have an intellectual disability in all aspects of community life." It advocates for the rights of people who have an intellectual disability focusing on...
as the Ottawa Affiliate in 2008. The organization continues under the name LiveWorkPlay but has the option to use Community Living Ottawa.
LiveWorkPlay was the lead Ottawa area organization in marking the historical closure of Ontario's mass institutions for people with intellectual disabilities on March 31, 2009.
At the Annual General Meeting of 2010, LiveWorkPlay celebrated admission to the C3 Centre, which is a collaboration with United Way Ottawa, Volunteer Ottawa, Leadership Ottawa, the Social Planning Council of Ottawa and the Ottawa Chamber of Voluntary Organizations. The purpose of the centre is to create a mission-enhancing work space for collaboration and partnerships designed to build the capacity of the social services and voluntary sectors in Ottawa. Components of the C3 Centre include a resource centre, training centre, and incubation and hoteling services for small or start-up non-profits. The move to the C3 Centre was described as part of a broader strategy to shift from a social services to social change perspective.
Founders
Keenan Wellar (born 1968, in Evanston, IllinoisEvanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
) and a lifelong resident of Ottawa, Ontario is currently serving as LiveWorkPlay CEO and has public visibility as a media spokesperson. and an advocate of social media marketing for non-profit organizations.
Wellar completed a BA in History and a BEd with Ontario Teacher Certification at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
, and is a graduate of the applied linguistics Master of Arts program at Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. Wellar also holds a of a Professional Certificate in Public Sector and Non-Profit Marketing from the Sprott School of Business.
Prior to working full-time with LiveWorkPlay, he managed the national Special Needs Education project (part of the Government of Canada's SchoolNet
SchoolNet
Canada's SchoolNet was a partnership run by Industry Canada to promote the effective use of information and communications technologies in libraries and schools across the country...
program) from 1995-1997 as a Project Manager at Ingenia Communications Corporation
Ingenia Communications Corporation
Ingenia Communications Corporation is the name of a Canadian internet technology company that in 2001. The company was incubated at Carleton University in Ottawa....
and represented Canada at the Seventh Annual Conference of the Internet Society.
In 2010 Wellar was surprised with a United Way Ottawa Community Builder Award acknowledging not only his work with LiveWorkPlay, but for volunteerism with many other community organizations, including more than 1000 hours with Meals on Wheels Ottawa, and pro bono social media marketing services to non-profit organizations.
Julie Kingstone (born 1973, in Ottawa, Ontario is currently serving as the organization's President. Kingstone completed a BSc and an MEd at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
as well as a BA in Psychology from Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. Prior to working full-time with LiveWorkPlay, she worked in Palliative Care at the Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital, and had a long history working with youth, including mental health promotion with Youth Net/Réseau Ado and various roles with Christie Lake Camp. Kingstone was a finalist in the 2004 YM-YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.