LDAY Centre for Learning will be raising money to support programming, with a concert on February 11 at The Local Bar
The Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon, also known as LDAY Centre for Learning, is celebrating its 50th year in operation in 2023. The organization has provided support for Yukoners of all ages—children, youth and adults—who are experiencing difficulties with their learning, whether in educational or workplace settings, for five decades, and its dedicated team is always looking to the future as well.
“We have people who are just experts in their field, in terms of literacy and the brain science of learning, supporting individuals and families and helping to spread information about neurodiversity and the strengths of all learners,” executive director Stephanie Hammond told What’s Up Yukon. “I’ve been at LDAY for coming up to twelve years, and in all that time, it’s just been fantastic boards of directors I’ve worked with, and the boards of directors of the past have been really committed, dedicated volunteers.”
LDAY’s programming varies seasonally, with summer camps taking place in Whitehorse and Dawson City, as well as year-round academic tutoring and a series of workplace workshops under the banner of Aurora Workshops, with a range of workshops covering communication styles, instructional skill labs and other workshops to help adult learners, according to Hammond.
“I think about some of the kids that I was a camp counsellor for, over ten years ago, and to see them blossom into young adults and to flourish and to have some of those skills that they learned in the camp programs and carry them through their lives … that’s really great to see,” said Hammond. “There are immediate and long-term effects that we see with our clients, particularly in the camp programs, and the tutoring programs, as well.”
This February, LDAY, in partnership with Jazz Yukon, will be putting on a fundraiser concert at The Local Bar in Whitehorse. Performing will be the Linda Ronstadt Revival, featuring LDAY president Lucie Desaulniers (also known as Lucie D); along with Andrea McColeman, Fawn Fritzen, Dave Haddock, Jordy Walker and Lonnie Powell. There will also be a silent auction, and attendees are encouraged to wear their best ’70s, ’80s or ’90s glam outfits. All proceeds will go towards LDAY’s future programming.
“It’s going to be a really fun and welcoming event,” said Hammond, noting that its purpose, in addition to raising funds, is also to bring recognition to the LDAY organization, and to “bring community together.”
The proceeds from the benefit concert will mainly go towards LDAY’s camp programming, as well as for the tutoring programs—both of which have bursaries. Another facet of LDAY’s programming that the team has been focusing on, lately, is its literacy workshops.
“We’ve been putting a lot of energy into our literacy workshops,” said Hammond. “This is training for educators, parents and tutors to learn more about structured literacy and how to support learners who are struggling to be successful with reading, to learn in a new, structured way.”
Tickets for LDAY’s fundraiser concert can be purchased at the door for $25, or online (via e-transfer) to [email protected], in advance, for $20. The show takes place Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. To Learn more about LDAY Centre for Learning, visit https://ldayukon.com.
