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Groups and Events Calendar

August 2021
Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
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2 6:30 pm: Sharing Space Support Group August 2, 2021 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm zoom The BALANCE Sharing Space Support Group is year-round professionally facilitated group counselling for adults who are blind or living with sight loss. From navigating during the pandemic to navigating ableism at any time, the groups address life’s challenges specifically for blind people, whether big or small, in a safe and supportive group experience (currently offered virtually through Zoom). Our Sharing Space Support Groups are facilitated by people with lived experience and a Social Work background. This is open only to BALANCE clients. You need a service agreement in place in order to participate. If you don't have one, please call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0 or email info@balancefba.org to get more information.	3	4	5 12:00 pm: Coffee Connections August 5, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm zoom Coffee Connections returns weekly every Thursday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm eastern time! It’s social. It’s different. It’s fun! Hosted by volunteers Olivia and Windy, this social group is a chance for us to gather, meet new people, share how you’re feeling, and to chat with others in the community. So, brew a cup of coffee or tea, hop onto Zoom, and come join us for a mid-week breather! If you have a topic suggestion, please let us know by emailing us at info@balancefba.org Call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0, or click here to register on Zoom for Coffee Connections.	6 7:00 pm: The Adventure Zone: An Interactive Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game August 6, 2021 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm zoom Join this interactive fantasy board game group where storytelling and single-character play, set on a loosely medieval world, will take you on the adventure of a lifetime! This group will run every Friday evenings, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, and will allow you to meet new people and develop your soft-skills. No previous experience or knowledge necessary, all you need to bring is your imagination and have either a phone or computer to connect to Zoom. Click here to register on Zoom for the Adventure Zone or call 416-236-1796, extension 0 and speak to Chloe.	7	8
9 6:30 pm: Sharing Space Support Group August 9, 2021 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm zoom The BALANCE Sharing Space Support Group is year-round professionally facilitated group counselling for adults who are blind or living with sight loss. From navigating during the pandemic to navigating ableism at any time, the groups address life’s challenges specifically for blind people, whether big or small, in a safe and supportive group experience (currently offered virtually through Zoom). Our Sharing Space Support Groups are facilitated by people with lived experience and a Social Work background. This is open only to BALANCE clients. You need a service agreement in place in order to participate. If you don't have one, please call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0 or email info@balancefba.org to get more information.	10	11 11:00 am: A Walk in the Park: Going off the grid with BlindSquare and Soundscape August 11, 2021 11:00 am – 2:00 pm This is session is for individuals who are familiar with BlindSquare and Soundscape and are ready to explore alternative ways of using these apps using offline maps. In this 2 day workshop, you will learn how to use points of interest/markers to navigate off the grid areas such as parks. This course will take place in person at High Park. If you are interested in learning how to make a route through a park and have the POI/markers guide you to the location, please join us in our outdoor and interactive sessions. All COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Session 1: Wednesday August 11 from 11-2 Session 2: Friday August 13 from 11-2 Please only register if you are able to attend both sessions as space is limited. Location: We will meet at 10:45 sharp at High Park station and travel together to the park. To register please email info@balancefba.org . You need to be a BALANCE client and have a Service Agreement in place.	12 12:00 pm: Coffee Connections August 12, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm zoom Coffee Connections returns weekly every Thursday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm eastern time! It’s social. It’s different. It’s fun! Hosted by volunteers Olivia and Windy, this social group is a chance for us to gather, meet new people, share how you’re feeling, and to chat with others in the community. So, brew a cup of coffee or tea, hop onto Zoom, and come join us for a mid-week breather! If you have a topic suggestion, please let us know by emailing us at info@balancefba.org Call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0, or click here to register on Zoom for Coffee Connections.	13 11:00 am: A Walk in the Park: Going off the grid with BlindSquare and Soundscape August 13, 2021 11:00 am – 2:00 pm This is session is for individuals who are familiar with BlindSquare and Soundscape and are ready to explore alternative ways of using these apps using offline maps. In this 2 day workshop, you will learn how to use points of interest/markers to navigate off the grid areas such as parks. This course will take place in person at High Park. If you are interested in learning how to make a route through a park and have the POI/markers guide you to the location, please join us in our outdoor and interactive sessions. All COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Session 1: Wednesday August 11 from 11-2 Session 2: Friday August 13 from 11-2 Please only register if you are able to attend both sessions as space is limited. Location: We will meet at 10:45 sharp at High Park station and travel together to the park. To register please email info@balancefba.org . You need to be a BALANCE client and have a Service Agreement in place. 11:00 am: Power Hour with Mark Mangabay August 13, 2021 11:00 am – 12:00 pm zoom If you have been wanting to start exercising but aren’t sure where to begin, join Personal Trainer and Occupational Therapy Assistant Mark Mangabay for our Power Hour! This session will include 30 – 45 minutes of exercise to uplift your mood and get you sweating, as well as tips on exercising safely in the home and a Q&A portion for all things fitness! Set to upbeat music, this workout will start with a light warm up, followed by gentle dynamic stretching, upper and lower body strengthening exercises and finish off with gentle static stretching. Click here to register for the upcoming session of Power Hour Fitness on Friday August 13th from 11 AM - 12 PM. Once registered, you will be able to attend all the sessions using the same link. 7:00 pm: The Adventure Zone: An Interactive Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game August 13, 2021 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm zoom Join this interactive fantasy board game group where storytelling and single-character play, set on a loosely medieval world, will take you on the adventure of a lifetime! This group will run every Friday evenings, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, and will allow you to meet new people and develop your soft-skills. No previous experience or knowledge necessary, all you need to bring is your imagination and have either a phone or computer to connect to Zoom. Click here to register on Zoom for the Adventure Zone or call 416-236-1796, extension 0 and speak to Chloe.	14	15
16 6:30 pm: Sharing Space Support Group August 16, 2021 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm zoom The BALANCE Sharing Space Support Group is year-round professionally facilitated group counselling for adults who are blind or living with sight loss. From navigating during the pandemic to navigating ableism at any time, the groups address life’s challenges specifically for blind people, whether big or small, in a safe and supportive group experience (currently offered virtually through Zoom). Our Sharing Space Support Groups are facilitated by people with lived experience and a Social Work background. This is open only to BALANCE clients. You need a service agreement in place in order to participate. If you don't have one, please call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0 or email info@balancefba.org to get more information.	17	18	19 12:00 pm: Coffee Connections August 19, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm zoom Coffee Connections returns weekly every Thursday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm eastern time! It’s social. It’s different. It’s fun! Hosted by volunteers Olivia and Windy, this social group is a chance for us to gather, meet new people, share how you’re feeling, and to chat with others in the community. So, brew a cup of coffee or tea, hop onto Zoom, and come join us for a mid-week breather! If you have a topic suggestion, please let us know by emailing us at info@balancefba.org Call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0, or click here to register on Zoom for Coffee Connections. 2:00 pm: The Royal Ontario Museum and BALANCE present: ROM Highlights August 19, 2021 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm zoom The ROM has over 13 million objects in its encyclopedic collections. These objects have been collected for more than a century from all over Canada and around the world, featuring the diverse cultural and natural history of our planet. This live engagement is an exploration of a small portion of what the ROM has to offer, including some of the collections’ most iconic objects and some of the ROM volunteers’ favourites too! This live engagement will include audio description and a Q&A component. Click here to register for this event	20 7:00 pm: The Adventure Zone: An Interactive Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game August 20, 2021 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm zoom Join this interactive fantasy board game group where storytelling and single-character play, set on a loosely medieval world, will take you on the adventure of a lifetime! This group will run every Friday evenings, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, and will allow you to meet new people and develop your soft-skills. No previous experience or knowledge necessary, all you need to bring is your imagination and have either a phone or computer to connect to Zoom. Click here to register on Zoom for the Adventure Zone or call 416-236-1796, extension 0 and speak to Chloe.	21	22
23 6:30 pm: Sharing Space Support Group August 23, 2021 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm zoom The BALANCE Sharing Space Support Group is year-round professionally facilitated group counselling for adults who are blind or living with sight loss. From navigating during the pandemic to navigating ableism at any time, the groups address life’s challenges specifically for blind people, whether big or small, in a safe and supportive group experience (currently offered virtually through Zoom). Our Sharing Space Support Groups are facilitated by people with lived experience and a Social Work background. This is open only to BALANCE clients. You need a service agreement in place in order to participate. If you don't have one, please call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0 or email info@balancefba.org to get more information.	24 3:00 pm: Postural Alignment and Yoga with Fazia August 24, 2021 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm zoom Many of us are familiar with the discomfort that comes from stubborn or chronic neck and back pain. Did you know that yoga can offer corrective and rehabilitative support to help you? Certified advanced yoga instructor Fazia Ackbarali, leads classes with a focus on back care, pain reduction, and corrective posture. Fazia takes the time to offer 1-on-1 instruction to participants during the sessions and encourages feedback and questions throughout; the result is a supportive learning environment where peers learn from each other as well as the instructor! This is an 8 week virtual course. Classes are bi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3pm and are 45 minutes long. If you are interested in registering, please email BALANCE at info@balancefba.org, or call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0. Fazia has 20 years of experience. She specializes in therapeutic movement that include T’ai Chi, Pilates, and corrective Fitness. Her approach is holistic as it includes breath work, meditation, and natural posture alignment. Her goal is to promote independence by helping her clients stay mobile and strong. These classes can be done on a mat, a chair, or standing. Please consult a doctor or registered therapist for specialized rehabilitation.	25	26 12:00 pm: Coffee Connections August 26, 2021 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm zoom Coffee Connections returns weekly every Thursday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm eastern time! It’s social. It’s different. It’s fun! Hosted by volunteers Olivia and Windy, this social group is a chance for us to gather, meet new people, share how you’re feeling, and to chat with others in the community. So, brew a cup of coffee or tea, hop onto Zoom, and come join us for a mid-week breather! If you have a topic suggestion, please let us know by emailing us at info@balancefba.org Call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0, or click here to register on Zoom for Coffee Connections. 3:00 pm: Postural Alignment and Yoga with Fazia August 26, 2021 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm zoom Many of us are familiar with the discomfort that comes from stubborn or chronic neck and back pain. Did you know that yoga can offer corrective and rehabilitative support to help you? Certified advanced yoga instructor Fazia Ackbarali, leads classes with a focus on back care, pain reduction, and corrective posture. Fazia takes the time to offer 1-on-1 instruction to participants during the sessions and encourages feedback and questions throughout; the result is a supportive learning environment where peers learn from each other as well as the instructor! This is an 8 week virtual course. Classes are bi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3pm and are 45 minutes long. If you are interested in registering, please email BALANCE at info@balancefba.org, or call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0. Fazia has 20 years of experience. She specializes in therapeutic movement that include T’ai Chi, Pilates, and corrective Fitness. Her approach is holistic as it includes breath work, meditation, and natural posture alignment. Her goal is to promote independence by helping her clients stay mobile and strong. These classes can be done on a mat, a chair, or standing. Please consult a doctor or registered therapist for specialized rehabilitation.	27 11:00 am: Power Hour with Mark Mangabay August 27, 2021 11:00 am – 12:00 pm zoom If you have been wanting to start exercising but aren’t sure where to begin, join Personal Trainer and Occupational Therapy Assistant Mark Mangabay for our Power Hour! This session will include 30 – 45 minutes of exercise to uplift your mood and get you sweating, as well as tips on exercising safely in the home and a Q&A portion for all things fitness! Set to upbeat music, this workout will start with a light warm up, followed by gentle dynamic stretching, upper and lower body strengthening exercises and finish off with gentle static stretching. Click here to register for the upcoming session of Power Hour Fitness on Friday August 13th from 11 AM - 12 PM. Once registered, you will be able to attend all the sessions using the same link. 7:00 pm: The Adventure Zone: An Interactive Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game August 27, 2021 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm zoom Join this interactive fantasy board game group where storytelling and single-character play, set on a loosely medieval world, will take you on the adventure of a lifetime! This group will run every Friday evenings, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, and will allow you to meet new people and develop your soft-skills. No previous experience or knowledge necessary, all you need to bring is your imagination and have either a phone or computer to connect to Zoom. Click here to register on Zoom for the Adventure Zone or call 416-236-1796, extension 0 and speak to Chloe.	28	29
30	31 3:00 pm: Postural Alignment and Yoga with Fazia August 31, 2021 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm zoom Many of us are familiar with the discomfort that comes from stubborn or chronic neck and back pain. Did you know that yoga can offer corrective and rehabilitative support to help you? Certified advanced yoga instructor Fazia Ackbarali, leads classes with a focus on back care, pain reduction, and corrective posture. Fazia takes the time to offer 1-on-1 instruction to participants during the sessions and encourages feedback and questions throughout; the result is a supportive learning environment where peers learn from each other as well as the instructor! This is an 8 week virtual course. Classes are bi-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3pm and are 45 minutes long. If you are interested in registering, please email BALANCE at info@balancefba.org, or call our office at 416-236-1796 extension 0. Fazia has 20 years of experience. She specializes in therapeutic movement that include T’ai Chi, Pilates, and corrective Fitness. Her approach is holistic as it includes breath work, meditation, and natural posture alignment. Her goal is to promote independence by helping her clients stay mobile and strong. These classes can be done on a mat, a chair, or standing. Please consult a doctor or registered therapist for specialized rehabilitation.