For over 20 years, Debra Abraham worked with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and she kept seeing the same results, the same families, the same challenges until one day she decided that to truly make a difference and feel fulfilled, she needed to make a change.
Now seven years later the Unique Get Together Society (“UGTS”), the organization she founded after submitting her resignation, has thirty staff members and a team of volunteers who empower Indigenous, marginalized and underserved communities, individuals and families in three regions of BC.
Unique Get Together Society Founder Debra Abraham
Unique Get Together Society – How It Began
Before she left the Ministry, Debra had already been subcontracting with other organizations, alongside one of her own children, and working with children with special needs that had behaviour challenges.
“One thing I’ve learned working in social services, especially when it comes to youth, is that regardless of your abilities, behaviour has a message. Behaviour is communication. Most kids or youth can’t put into words what they’re feeling inside so they express it in other ways. It really is their cry for help.”
One of the organizations she worked with told her she was really good at what she was doing and that she should start her own, and she did! She cashed in her pension and just knew, this was her path.
It was just Debra and her son for the first few years at UGTS, getting things up and running, starting with programming for special needs children.
“More than anything, when we started seven years ago, we wanted to bring kids with special needs into summer camps, after school programs, and soccer – we were the first organization to start special needs soccer in Port Moody.”
She wanted these kids to have the same childhood as her children. To have friends they could hang out with, and talk about what they did over the summer.
“So that’s how we started, we started taking kids for hikes in nature – away from all the destruction of everyday noise of the city. You have to look past the disability and look at what was actually there, what they can actually do.”
They went around the Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Squamish, up to the Britannia Mine Museum, and as Debra puts it: “We just had fun!” Things just started happening from then on. UGTS started getting calls about programs for children who didn’t have a special needs diagnosis, but had behaviour challenges.
“A lot of these kids had a lot of trauma that went on in their lives. Their parents, caregivers, whatever that may look like, I always tell people: It’s not a blame game, it really and truly isn’t because they do the best they can. When you work in this field, the parents and caregivers, they just want to get through the day and keep a roof over their head and food going, and get kids off to school and just those basic needs – and have a break for themselves.”
Debra says that it’s something she’s always been aware of being a part of the social services system for so long. “While we do support the individual, that entire circle is broken because we don’t support the family as a whole. That child comes with a family, and whatever is happening at home is coming with that child.”
I often think back to how John and I spent out fifth wedding anniversary: It was a staycation in Richmond where we went to Steveston for the day, did some shopping, had some wonderful food, and spent some really nice quality time together. It’s no surprise that my latest enchanting staycation experience was also in Richmond; it’s so close to home but you feel like you’re really on a getaway.
Richmond Staycation at the Versante Hotel
At the new Versante Hotel (just opened this summer) you can take in the beautiful art and unique features of an affordable boutique hotel that has five star amenities – all within a quick train ride from the airport or Downtown Vancouver.
Tickets for HAMILTON in Vancouverwill go on sale to the public on December 9, 2021 at 10:00am! This acclaimed musical will finally get to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage as a part of Broadway Across Canada’s 2022 season.
Hamilton National Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus
Tickets for Hamilton in Vancouver
On stage: May 24 – June 19, 2022
Tickets on sale: Starting December 9th at 10:00am online via Ticketmaster or by calling 1-855-985-5000.
American Express Cardmembers can get Front Of The Line® Presale access to tickets from December 6 to 7, 2021.
There is a maximum purchase limit of nine tickets per account for the engagement. When tickets go on sale, prices will range from $69 to $209 with a select number of premium seats available from $249. There will be a lottery for 40 $10 seats for all performances. Details will be announced closer to the engagement.
HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.
With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.
The HAMILTON creative team previously collaborated on the Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical In the Heights.
HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, casting by The Telsey Office, Bethany Knox, CSA, and General Management by Baseline Theatrical.
The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.
The HAMILTON Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide. The HAMILTON recording received a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.
For the latest news, announcements and “backstage” access on all upcoming shows follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook #BACTouring #BACSub #BACSuperfan.
Per the British Columbia government mandates, Broadway Across Canada and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre will require proof of vaccination for entry to all performances. Patrons 12 and over are now required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Everyone aged 19+ must show government-issued photo ID with their proof of vaccination. Masks will be required for 5+ and must be worn at all times with the exception of eating and drinking at the theatre
It’s been a while since I posted anything about Iowa. John and I haven’t been able to visit over the last year and a half and I have no new Field of Dreams photos to share (if you’re a new follower, John is originally from Iowa and we previously spent about a month of the year there). However, I have something even more epic to announce: Our nephew will be running across Iowa for a cause in March and he’s just launched his fundraising campaign!
Running Across Iowa for a Cause
Anthony Kinley will be running 333 miles across Iowa in March 2022 to raise awareness for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), and to help fund the Austin Smith Inclusive Playground in his hometown of Monticello, Iowa.
He has previously completed the Boston Marathon, the R2R2R in the Grand Canyon, several other half and full marathons. This time he’s on an even bigger mission.
The Austin Strong Foundation is a non-profit organization that exists to raise awareness, fund research, and support those families affected by childhood cancers, like DIPG.
“The main goal of the Austin Strong Foundation is research,” said Britt and Mikinzie Smith, who created the Austin Strong Foundation to honor their son, Austin Jeffrey Smith. “But, we believe part of being a successful foundation includes stewardship in our community, facilitating projects that will benefit our youth, and aligning with our mission of helping families.”
“The ability to play is something all children should have the right to enjoy,” adds Anthony, who knew Austin Smith before he lost his battle with DIPG in 2016 at the age of seven.
“He was going through more than I could ever imagine. He needed help with many simple things during his treatment that any other child would not think about, like using his own playground set in his backyard. One day while playing with him on the playground, I noticed how he was still a kid at heart and wanted nothing more than to be able to go down the slide again and again and again. The pure joy he got from the simplest acts of life has stuck with me ever since then. Austin truly was a superhero.”
Anthony hopes to raise $5,000 to support the construction of the Austin Smith Inclusive Playground.
On November 15th, the first concrete was poured for the playground foundation and in the spring of 2022 the organization will host an official groundbreaking ceremony in Monticello.
“The ability to play is something all children should have the right to enjoy,” Anthony says. “I have been truly blessed in my life and I want to give back to those who are not able to experience the opportunities that I had. The Austin Smith Inclusive Playground has the opportunity to make every child feel as free as I do when I run.”
Find more information about this run on this website, and you can donate to support his efforts and the cause through GoFundMe.
Come March, I’ll certainly have more to post about Iowa!
This December, Gateway Theatre welcomes back its first in-person, indoor audiences since February 2020 with a fun and festive concert: A Broadway Holiday. From December 16 through 23, audiences can get into the holiday mood by watching the concert at Gateway Theatre in-person, live on stage or online through on-demand stream.
Tim Howe, Jenny Andersen, Sean Hara (L-R). Photo by David Cooper
Gateway Theatre Presents A Broadway Holiday
When: December 16-23, 2021
Where: Gateway Theatre Main Stage (6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond)
Pay What You Will (Preview Night) and tickets from $29 for in-person and video on-demand performances
Celebrate everything we love about Broadway, the holiday season, and most importantly, being together in-person at the theatre once again. For those who prefer to sing along in their comfort of their own home, there is a digital video-on demand version available.
“After 20 months of our theatre being in the dark, we want to celebrate our return with an uplifting concert filled with cheer and joy – much like the feeling of coming home for the holidays, ” says Barbara Tomasic, Gateway Theatre’s Director of Artistic Programs and co-creator of A Broadway Holiday. “It’s going to be a celebration of everything we love about Broadway, the holiday season, and being together in-person again.”
Creating this show together, Barbara Tomasic and Christopher King (Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Music Man) have selected festive hits from Broadway shows such as “Let it Snow, “Sleigh Ride”, and “White Christmas” that will have audiences happily singing along. Musically directed by Jenny Andersen and performed by seven talented singer-musicians playing a variety of instruments including the accordion, piano, and the kazoo, audiences will be treated to a magical musical performance. For patrons who would like to sing along in the comfort of their own home, a digital video on-demand version will be available.
Win Tickets
I have a family 4 pack of tickets to give away to this festive holiday production. Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to @GatewayThtr #ABroadwayHoliday http://ow.ly/lP4z50GZ151″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, December 6, 2021. UPDATE! The winner is Karen!
