Kids In The Spotlight ends its 30th Year - Honouring Denise Goldbeck! Following the last show of the season, Warren Fraleigh, Jock McKeen and Mackenzie Dickson honoured Denise's leadership, creativity, skill, inclusivity and love in developing Kids In The Spotlight program over the last 30 years! Each of the small group families also sent their spokespersons up to the stage to let Denise know which of her many sterling qualities have impacted them the most. Denise was also presented with two decorated birdhouses. One (KITS) is to be mounted at The Haven to house the songbirds that have all the Hairspray songs memorized and the other (DENISE) is to take home and mount there. We, The Haven, honour you, Denise, for the dedication and vision you have put into the KITS program and the love you have shown in its full array to the children and youths that have attended it over the last 30 years. Thank you! In the midst of it all Nic Earle received his Volunteer Certificate. The traditional mortar board went astray, but fortunately plenty of wigs were on hand! Congratulations Nic!

There are two opportunities to Come Alive in August, August 8-13 with Gillian Enright and Jane Olynyk and August 27-September 1 with Leslie Whyte and Cathy Wilder. Here's what one participant said about Come Alive: "When I returned home after the program I was approached by many people asking, 'What was it like?' I thought to myself over and over about that question and there is just no way to describe the transformation within myself. My answer was, 'You just have to do it to find out!' I have felt things I have not felt in my lifetime. I feel alive!"

A new book review by Wayne Dodge: The Wild Edge of Sorrow. Look out for more from Wayne in the coming weeks and months. https://haven.ca/stay-connected/news/book-review-wild-edge-sorrow

Denise Goldbeck would like to invite all the KITS participants, interns and their families to have a fun picnic and then watch Mary Poppins at the fantastic Theatre Under the Stars on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. We will meet at 6:00 pm for a potluck picnic dinner on the grass area of the Rose Garden, located beside the Malkin Bowl at Stanley Park. Click on this link for information on how to get there: http://www.tuts.ca/getting-here After the picnic, we will head next door to Malkin Bowl for the show, which starts at 8:00 pm. We have pre-paid for 60 tickets and have reserved rows 11 through 15 – centre, for our group. Please RSVP to Henry Goldbeck, at henry@goldbeck.com, at your earliest convenience. Be sure to let us know who is coming in your group; i.e. how many adults will be attending, the age of children and youth, including their corresponding names please. Once we receive your RSVP, we will send your total and directions on how to pay. Prices are below and include tax: Adults - $39, Children and Youth (5-18) - $20, Under 5 on lap - Free Picnic starts at 6:00pm | Doors open at 7:30pm | Show starts at 8:00pm Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 604.618.6496 Thank you and hope to see you there!

Haven Portraits - a glimpse into the lives of people who have participated in programs and training at The Haven. They share their experiences and the impact of living what they have learned … real people, profound change. Please share!

Congratulations to Christina Jane Smith, who is the 105th graduate of The Haven’s diploma program. She received her diploma on Sunday amidst family and friends, who spoke of her grace, skill, loving and humour. The Haven is indeed lucky to have her! Christina has donated $105 (a little more, actually) toward our building fund and is inviting others to do the same. If you would like to donate $105 (or more or less) in honour of Christina’s graduation please email louise@haven.ca or visit https://haven.ca/giving/donation

A Song for Sunday. This one is for you Linda Lee Nicholls. Have a great day everyone!

Another fabulous KITS show, another fabulous Youth Leader! Sullivan Baker receives her Youth Leadership Diploma at the end of the Hairspray performance! We also said good-bye to Rory Macklin, who has attended KITS since he was 2 (now 19) and is now pursuing his studies in Marine Biology.

From Carole Ames: Back by popular demand! After spending the better part of the last two years working in China I am back in Canada and excited to be able to mobilize my energy and humour in this workshop that I designed over 15 years ago. People often wonder how to connect with their passion, or how to catch a glimpse of their authentic nature. This is mine. I've learned over the years that humour is a tremendous vehicle for insight, connection and creativity.