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Welcome
Bev Foster, Executive Director
Etienne Wenger, a social learning theorist is best known for his work around communities of practice. He admits that although the term "community of practice" is of relatively recent coinage, the phenomenon it refers to is age-old. A community of practice is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.
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Presenters’ Reflections on the Music Care Conference
A highlight of the Music Care Conference was the contribution of 11 specialists who shared their expertise on a variety of topics around music and care with our almost 300 participants. In this article, presenters reflect on their experience of the Music Care Conference. You can also view some clips of the presentations via the Room 217 Foundation YouTube Channel.
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Participants’ Reflections on the Music Care Conference
More than half of the almost 300 registrants attending the conference provided welcome feedback on their experiences. They shared their expectations, highlights, learnings and the impact the day had on them. We have brought a few together here to give you a sense of the day’s atmosphere. You can also view some pictures in our Photo Gallery at and clips of the presentations via the Room 217 Foundation YouTube Channel.
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Ontario Trillium Foundation $55,000 Grant gives new hope for use of Therapeutic Music in Palliative Care
Port Perry, ON – The Room 217 Foundation is pleased to announce that the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has awarded them a two-year $55,000 grant. John O’Toole, MPP for Durham riding, joined OTF representative Penny Smith in congratulating the Room 217 Foundation at their Companion’s Dinner on Tuesday night.
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Book Review: Ya Can’t Let Cancer Ruin Your Day: The James Emails
Syd Birrell thought the worst was over when his wife, Pam, completed her final round of chemotherapy for the very aggressive breast cancer that had ravaged her body. Within a few months, however, his middle child, James, then just three, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood cancer. Rather than retreat, withdraw or give up, the Birrells realized as many dreams as they could for the time they had left together. From those that were easy to fulfill (train rides to see friends) to those that were outrageous (a visit to the set of his favorite TV show Zoboomafoo and a chat with Tom Hanks about space), the result was a lot of life packed into the short time James had left and this inspirational book.
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Intro to FUNdraising
Melanie Riley, CFRE, Director of Development, Room 217 Foundation
I am very pleased to be the newest member of the Room 217 Foundation team. Hailing originally from London, Ontario, where I grew up with my 3 sisters, I attended the University of Western Ontario and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree with a concentration in English. Little did I know that I would use my writing skills later on in life to write letters and proposals to secure funding for worthy causes. How fortuitous! However, it was my parents who always instilled a strong sense of philanthropy and volunteerism in all of us, and that is how I first became interested in working for charities. Now, after working for over 10 years for such organizations as Girl Guides of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society and the University of Toronto, and obtaining my fundraising credentials (Certified Fund Raising Professional), I look forward to increasing the Room 217's capacity and bringing their programs to all Canadians.
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Music Note
Music Note tells the story behind the songs of Room 217.
You Are My Sunshine (Country Road) - Davis & Mitchell, ©1940 & 1977, Peer International Corporation
You Are My Sunshine has been recorded hundreds of times and is both a country and jazz standard. First recorded in 1939, it is Louisiana's state song associated with former state governor Jimmie Davis. While running for governor, Davis sang it at his campaign rallies and rode a on a horse named "Sunshine". He bought song and rights from Paul Rice and put his own name on it. (This was a common practice in the pre World War II music business.)
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Country Road
Country Road is a timeless collection of old and new country songs that will take you to that place of belonging, the place called home.
Click Here to order
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About Bev’s Online Course
Music Care: Caring for the Dying with Music, an online course will be offered by Bev Foster in partnership with Life and Death Matters, starting February 25, 2011. Register Now!
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About Music Plus
A fixture in the Waterloo Region since 1980, Music Plus carries band and string instruments, acoustic guitars, accessories, musical gifts, metronomes and all manner of print music. Music Plus is your unplugged alternative.
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About Elderwise
A go-to place for Canadians with aging parents. ElderWise delivers information and support if you want to help your aging parents - or plan ahead for your own aging. Whether your family is facing an eldercare crisis, or you just want to be proactive.
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About MAREP
MAREP is an innovative program that adopts a partnership approach and integrates research and educational activities in an effort to improve dementia care practices in Canada.
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About SHRTN
The Seniors Health Research Transfer Network is the “place to go” in Ontario for the latest knowledge and best practices about seniors’ health and health care.
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About Music Therapy Association of Ontario
The Music Therapy Association of Ontario (MTAO) serves as a unifying body for Music Therapists: promoting, developing, and supporting the profession of Music Therapy in the province of Ontario.
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About Waterloo Region, Wellington, Dufferin Hospice Palliative Care Network
The Waterloo Region-Wellington-Dufferin Hospice Palliative Care Network will provide leadership and structure to facilitate the ongoing development and implementation of a comprehensive, integrated and coordinated system of hospice palliative care / end-of-life care for the community.
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I will forever remember the words of a father of an eight year old girl dying of cancer who said "the only time my daughter is pain free is when she is making music with her music therapist"
Syd Birrell
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