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News Release: Then Abilities Centre Strengthens its Executive Team 
December 5, 2011 
The Abilities Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Duke Dickson to the position of Vice President of Business Development and Marketing and Mr. Tom Holden to the position of Vice President of Operations.
Read Full Media Release 

 SNAP Whitby Feature: December 2011 
He dreamed a big dream and with every passing day, every difference maker, and every smiling face cheering them on from the crowd, the dream is becoming a reality. Twenty-five years ago Rick Hansen finished his Man in Motion World Tour - a tour based on making the world more accessible, inclusive ...
View SNAP Whitby Feature  
 
SNAP Whitby Feature: December 2011
The team at Booster Juice partnered with Abilities Centre for a boost to their fundraising campaign. The smoothie and juice bar served up a special promotion through the month of November by collecting proceeds from ..
View SNAP Whitby Feature  

SNAP Whitby Feature: December 2011
 On a beautiful late October night at the Deer Creek Golf Course, the Annual Abilities Dream Gala took place. It is an exciting time for the Abilities Centre’s staff, volunteers and board members, who are working towards the opening of the Centre in early 2012.
View SNAP Whitby Feature 

Media Article:Durhamregion.com
Whitby Chamber names Abilities Centre 'chairty of choice'
November 8, 2011
WHITBY -- With doors slated to open in spring of next year, the Abilities Centre is already being praised for its efforts in improving the lives of people with special needs.
Read Full Article  

Media Article: Durhamregion.com
Man in Motion Hansen moves Durham during visit
November 8, 2011
DURHAM -- The Man in Motion can still get Canadians moving. Durham residents responded enthusiastically when Rick Hansen, famous for his around-the-world tour to raise awareness of spinal cord injuries and accessibility issues, stopped here Saturday.
Read Full Article Here  

Media Article: Durhamregion.com
Man in Motion praises Whitby's Abilities Centre
November 6, 2011
WHITBY -- The Man in Motion keeps on rolling, and Saturday Rick Hansen brought his ongoing crusade for accessibility and inclusion to Whitby.     
Read Full Article Here  

Media Article: Vancouversun.com
Hansen praises 'incredible progress in treating spinal cord injuries
November 5, 2011
TORONTO — The latest stage of Rick Hansen's 25th Anniversary Relay was familiar  territory for the Canadian Paralympics athlete, as Hansen retraced the route he  took through Toronto on his Man in Motion world tour exactly a quarter-century  ago. 
Read Full Article Here     

SNAP Whitby Feature: November 2011 

Members of the IODE Oshawa Golden Jubilee Chapter presented a $5000 donation to the Abilities Centre last month as the centre continues to push forward in its building phase. Pictured here is IODE member Wendy Hartley, Chapter
View SNAP Whitby Feature  

Media Article: Durhamregion.com
Abilities Centre Dream Gala on Oct. 27  
October 26, 2011
 WHITBY -- The Abilities Centre's 6th annual Dream Gala is back to raise funds for the barrier-free facility currently under construction in Whitby.  
Read Full Article Here  

Media Article: Durhamregion.com
Whitby facilities team up for moving screening
October 13, 2011
WHITBY -- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences is teaming up with the Abilities Centre for a special viewing of Soul Surfer at the annual Imagine Film Festival    
Read Full Article Here   

Media Article: The Chronicle
New Abilities Centre to open soon
September 2011
Read Full Article Here

 SNAP Whitby Feature: August 2011

The team at The Shores Health & Fitness Centre had a special presentation to make last month after their grand opening in late March. At the opening celebration, money was raised for one of their neighbouring centres - the state of the art Abilities Centre situated across the road which began
View SNAP Whitby Feature

SNAP Whitby Feature: August 2011
Classy Chassis & Cycles hosted a charity motorcycle ride in support of the Abilities Centre last month with dozens of riders geared up to hit the road for a great cause. The ride began at the future site of the Centre
View SNAP Whitby Feature  

Channel 12: Charity Motorcycle Ride In Support of the Abilities Centre
July 18,2011
   

         
Media Article: Thepeterboroughexaminer.com
Charity ride Saturday to end at cycle shop near Lakefield  
July 13, 2011
A charity motorcycle ride to support a campaign to build a fully accessible recreation, athletics and performing arts facility in Whitby for people with varying degrees with abilities will end Saturday at ...
Read Full Article Here

Media Article: Durhamregion.com
Construction rolling along on Abilities Centre 
July 9, 2011
DURHAM -- A good way to describe the economic benefits of placing a world-class, barrier-free facility in the heart  of Durham Region is "substantial."That's how Abilities Centre president and CEO Deborah Bright puts it..
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Studio 12: Part 2- In Depth with Ms. Deborah Bright, President & CEO
June 15, 2011

Studio12:Part 1- In Depth with Ms. Deborah Bright, President & CEO 
June 14, 2011
 
   
            
                                

• Abilities Centre's fundraising campaign "in [full] motion"
  May 18, 2011
  Whitby, ON, May 18, 2011: A fundraising event in support of the Abilities Centre will take place on Wednesday May 18, 2011 at the MaRs Centre in downtown Toronto. The reception will commence at 5:30 pm and will feature a formal program, which will include several distinguished speakers.
  Read Full Press Release (PDF)

• Connecting Together Program Outline
  April 8 , 2011
  The Adult Social Club is expanding its programs to reach out to new members. The Adult Social Club will now offer another social recreational program, Connecting Together for adults with special needs who live in Durham Region, aged 36 - 55 years of age...
  Read Full Article (PDF)

• Media Article: Durhamregion.com
  One-year countdown begins for Abilities Centre opening in Whitby– First truss on facility's signature roof installed
  January 19, 2011
  WHITBY -- For years, Melanie Barnett has relied on architectural sketches and her imagination to envision what the Abilities Centre in Whitby will one day look like.
  But there's nothing like watching the actual structure come to life...
  Read Full Media Article

Past News

• News Release: Abilities Centre Announces Inaugural President/CEO
  November 8 , 2010
  Whitby ON - The Board of Directors of the Abilities Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Bright as the Centre’s inaugural President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Deborah comes to the position from Special Olympics Canada where she has been the President and CEO since 2005. Before that Deborah also served as National Program Director at Special Olympics Canada and Technical Director at Special Olympics Ontario. Before taking the helm of Special Olympics Canada, Deborah was Vice-President of Marketing for the Calgary Herald.
  Read Full News Release
• Snap Whitby: Abilities Centre Ground Breaking
  June, 2010
  An overwhelming crowd of supporters, volunteers and dignitaries attended the official Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Abilities Centre which took place on site on the Iroquois Park grounds...
  View the Snap Whitby Article and Images
• Toronto Star Article: Coyle: Abilities Centre a crowning achievement for Christine Elliott
  May 21, 2010
  View the Toronto Star Article
• Press Release: Abilities Centre Officially Under Construction
  May 14, 2010
  The official Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Abilities Centre took place today on the site of the new centre, paving the way for construction to begin...
  Read Full Press Release
• Rogers TV Durham Region News: Abilities Centre Groundbreaking Ceremony
  May 14, 2010
  View the Rogers TV Video
• Durhamregion.com Article: Abilities Centre Breaks New Ground in Durham
  May 15, 2010
  View the Durhamregion.com Article
• Metroland Gala Feature
  Updated December 17, 2009
  View the Metroland feature on the 2009 Dream Gala.
• Abilities Centre Honoured to have Justin Hines Perform
  Updated December 8, 2009
    The Abilities Centre takes great pride and delight in welcoming Justin Hines to our Gala event each year. Justin has become a very special friend of the Abilities Centre and, once again, our guests were treated to a performance by this talented singer-songwriter. Each year, he also generously donates a portion of the sales of his CD the night of the Gala to the Abilities Centre. Justin has just released two new CDs - “Chasing Silver” and his first Christmas album “Season’s Greetings”. For more information about Justin please visit his website at www.justinhines.com

• SNAP Whitby Feature December 2009
  Updated December 8, 2009
  View the SNAP Whitby full-page feature on the 2009 Dream Gala.
• Abilities Centre in Parks News: Whitby Perspective - Fall 2009
  Updated December 8, 2009
  View the Whitby Perspective news article.
• Abilities Centre feature in Whitby Perspective - Spring 2009
  Updated December 8, 2009
  View the Whitby Perspective news article.
• Abilities Centre ready to break down barriers - DurhamRegion.com
  Updated March 31, 2009
  View the Metroland news article.
  
  
• Metroland Gala Feature
  Updated December 17, 2008
  View the Metroland full-page feature on the 2008 Dream Gala.
• Gala for Whitby Abilities Centre raises $385,000
  Updated December 3, 2008
  View the Metroland news article on the 2008 Dream Gala.
• Message from The Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ont.
  Updated December 3, 2008
  Although The Honourable David C. Onley was unable to attend the 2008 Dream Gala, click here to view his video message.
• Abilities Centre Honoured to have Justin Hines Perform
  Updated December 3, 2008
  The Abilities Centre was honoured to have Justin Hines come back to perform for us at our 3rd Annual Dream Gala. Justin performed two outstanding songs which included his first single release "Wish You Well" and "Chasing Silver". He also generously donated the sales of his CD the night of the Gala to the Abilities Centre. Along with the release of his first CD "Sides" last year, Justin will have a new release in the spring of 2009. For more information about Justin please visit his website at www.justinhines.com.
• Metroland Gala Feature
  Updated December 10, 2007
  View the Metroland full-page feature on the 2007 Dream Gala.
• SNAP Whitby Feature
  Updated December 10, 2007
  View the SNAP Whitby full-page feature on the 2007 Dream Gala.
• Abilities Centre Dream Gala Performance
  Updated December 10, 2007
  The Abilities Centre Board of Directors was thrilled to have Justin Hines attend as the featured performer at the 2007 Dream Gala. Justin has recently released his first CD entitled "Sides". For more information about Justin, please visit his website at www.justinhines.com. Just performed three outstanding songs to a standing ovation, which included his first single release "Wish You Well".
• Abilities Centre Dream Gala a Huge Success!
  Updated November 30, 2006
  The Board of Directors of the Abilities Centre would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported their Inaugural Dream Gala held on October 12, 2006 at the Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility and helped to make it a resounding success... Continue reading this article.
• CityLife Dream Gala Photos by The Toronto Sun
  Updated October 15, 2006
  View this article.
• VIDEO: PM salutes Abilities Centre effort by DurhamRegion.com
  Updated October 13, 2006
  It was a night that celebrated inclusiveness and the strength of community as the Abilities Centre held its inaugural gala on Thursday evening in Ajax. With Prime Minister Stephen Harper in attendance and an array of talent performing on stage, the Dream Gala was a hit with the more than 600 people gathered at the Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility to support the soon-to-be-built centre...
  Continue reading this article and watch the accompanying video.