Tag: paolo aquilini

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Mar 20, 2020

On February 1, the home of the Vancouver Canucks was transformed into a circus-style ‘big top’, for REVEAL, The Greatest Show on Earth, in support of Canucks Autism Network (CAN). Presented by BMO Bank of Montreal, the unforgettable gala dazzled some 566 guests with awe-inspiring circus acts, impressive culinary creations and show-stopping musical numbers.

But the true stars of the evening were the 15 CAN members of the Sarah McLachlan School of Music choir who performed a touching rendition of “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman.

Based on the reactions among the guests, it’s safe to say the choir’s five months of rehearsals paid off.

“These kids really touched me,” said CAN Founder Paolo Aquilini, when he later took the stage. “That is why we’re here. So that these kids can say ‘This is me’ with empowerment.”

The Good Doctor star Paige Spara and CAN Founder Paolo Aquilini react to the performance.

Gavin had the honour of singing the final solo. “I was a little nervous in front of all those people,” he said after the show. “But I remember everyone cheering after my part and it made me feel really proud of myself. I thought about my family and how my mom was going to have happy tears!”

The performance was an unforgettable moment that reminded all guests firsthand of the impact of their generous contributions.

But behind the scenes at Rogers Arena, something else truly magical transpired.

In preparation for their performance, the choir had arrived early for a rehearsal. With a few hours until show time, the group was designated one of the dressing rooms backstage.

Unstructured time and ‘waiting around’ can be difficult for any group of kids. But it can be especially difficult for those with autism. CAN staff and parents came ready with activities and a plan to keep the group occupied for the evening.

Anita Rudge was one of those parents.

And nearly two months after the Reveal Gala, she is still as excited about the performance as she is about what she witnessed backstage.

“I remember the rehearsal being stressful. But once we got backstage, the kids were joking with each other and laughing,” Anita recalled. “They were sharing their Nintendo Switches and playing board games. And for kids with autism, it can be so hard for them to engage socially.”

“It was one of the happiest moments of my life.”

One of CAN’s staff, Sarah Armstrong, was also in the room. “The group varied in age and background quite a bit, but they came together like any group of friends would,” said Sarah. “They were comforting each other before their big moment on stage. It was unforgettable.”

The four-minute performance featured two solos and one duet. Anita’s son, Jayden (right), had the opening solo. Gavin (left) had the final one.

If you look closely during Gavin’s solo, you’ll notice that Jayden is singing along word-for-word.

That’s because, right before the performance, Gavin had asked Jayden to sing along with him — just in case he forgot the words.

“As a mother, you want your kids to be kind and empathetic,” Anita said. “These kids loved and supported each other.”

On stage, Jadyen, Gavin and the entire choir proudly sang the words: “I’m not scared to be seen, I make no apologies – This is Me!”

The lyrics acted as a powerful reminder to guests that we need to increase understanding and acceptance of autism in the community at large.

The fact that so many people gave so generously at the Reveal Gala is cause for great hope.

But the moment that took place backstage provided profound hope of its own. It proved that a mutual love for music could bring a group of kids and youth with autism together.

And that in the process of singing for acceptance, the group found understanding among each other. That’s something you simply can’t put a dollar figure on.

“They were all hugging each other to say goodbye after the performance,” recalled Anita. “It was a room filled with so much love and understanding.”

“It gave me hope that if it can happen in that room, why not everywhere?”

Read more:

Finding Kai’s voice with CAN & Sarah McLachlan School of Music

Austin Dutt: A World Kindness Day story from Kelowna

Extending CAN’s impact in Nanaimo and Kamloops

Return to the CAN Blog

Learn more:

Learn more about the Reveal Gala

Learn more about the CAN & Sarah McLachlan School of Music program

Learn more about Sarah McLachlan School of Music

June 4, 2019

CANUCKS AUTISM NETWORK APPOINTS NEW CEO TO TAKE ORGANIZATION TO NEXT LEVEL

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Canucks Autism Network (CAN) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Britt Andersen as Chief Executive Officer of the organization, effective June 24, 2019.

Britt joins CAN from The Terry Fox Foundation where he served as Executive Director, providing leadership to 45 staff and 16,880 volunteers, across 10 Canadian offices. An award-winning leader, Britt brings business, fundraising and non-profit acumen and a record of accomplishment in environments that demand creative solutions and continuous improvement.

“We are excited to welcome Britt to the CAN team and feel that he is the right person to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and development,” said CAN Founder, Paolo Aquilini. “I am confident that under Britt’s direction CAN will be well positioned to empower more individuals and families living with autism to live rich and full lives, while increasing acceptance and understanding of autism in the community at large.”

“We have selected a very strong leader at a time when CAN is in a very strong position,” stated Bill Macdonald, the Chair of the CAN Board. “Britt’s proven ability to drive growth and build effective teams, paired with his broad background and expertise, make him uniquely equipped to successfully lead CAN moving forward,” stated Bill.

“I am thrilled and honoured to accept this position and simply cannot wait to get to work,” said incoming CEO, Britt Andersen. “I look forward to the new challenges this role offers and hope to make an immediate and positive impact on delivering CAN’s vision of understanding, acceptance and support for every individual with autism in all community spaces.”

For more information about Canucks Autism Network, please visit www.canucksautism.ca.

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About Canucks Autism Network (CAN)
Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides year-round sports and recreation programs to individuals and families living with autism, while increasing awareness and providing training in communities across British Columbia.

Dec 18, 2019

Canucks Autism Network (CAN) and its Board of Directors today announced that, effective December 31st, 2018, President and CEO Katy Harandi will be moving on from the organization.

Since the foundation of CAN in 2008, Katy Harandi has played a pivotal role in the vision, direction, and growth of the organization. Katy’s steadfast leadership, valuable acumen, and unwavering commitment to the cause will surely leave a lasting impact.

“In our early years, CAN was just a small, grassroots autism organization”, said Katy.” I still recall the initial planning meetings around my kitchen table. Today, I am proud to say that CAN has grown into a leader and change maker in the autism world.”

Katy will continue to better the future for individuals with autism as she begins new initiatives in the community.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision, but I am confident that I am leaving the organization in the hands of a strong executive team that is poised to direct CAN into an exciting new period in its history,” states Katy. “I look forward to witnessing CAN’s continued growth and impact on families living with autism across BC.”

CAN Board Member and longtime supporter Bill Macdonald has been appointed as the new Board Chair. Bill will provide transitional support for the CAN team and help the Founders and Board of Directors determine the future direction of leadership.

“On behalf of everyone at CAN, we would like to thank Katy for her many years of serving families living with autism in British Columbia,” said Paolo Aquilini, CAN Co-Founder.

Read more about Katy’s many contributions to CAN and the autism community in our March 2018 blog post.

For more information, please contact:
Lindsay Petrie, Marketing & Communications Manager
lindsay.petrie@canucksautism.ca

Jun 29, 2018

From our beginnings as a small, grassroots autism charity, we are so proud to have the province-wide impact on individuals and families that we do today.

It was just over 10 years ago that Paolo and Clara Aquilini sat around a dining table with Katy Harandi. Together, they envisioned an organization that would make a positive and lasting impact on the autism community in BC.

With the support of the Canucks for Kids Fund, Canucks Autism Network became a non-profit society on January 7, 2008. That year, we began with one soccer program and one family skate at GM Place (now Rogers Arena).

A decade later, CAN delivers nearly 500 programs to 4,000 members province-wide. Since day one, we could not do what we do without the countless supporters who share our mission.

There is much to be thankful for and much to celebrate. Here are just some of the milestones that have highlighted CAN’s 10-year journey with our participants, families and supporters:

1. July 29, 2008 | Our first-ever program
Offered to just a handful of families, we launched I CAN Play Soccer as a two-day program at GM Place. After 10 years, guess which CAN coach is still around to guide our participants?

A male coach puts his arms around two child soccer players as they pose for a photo together.
Coach Neeeeeeesh!

Over the past decade, we have expanded to a wide range of sports and rec programs, allowing children and youth with autism to explore physical activity on land, water and ice. Beyond sports, our social programs and overnight camps have allowed participants to try new activities, develop lasting friendships and make lifelong memories.

2. September 2008 | Launch of We CAN Be Friends
In addition to sports and rec programs, one of the pillars of our mission has been to raise autism awareness. That’s why in our first year, we launched We CAN Be Friends, a free curriculum-based autism awareness program for elementary classrooms.

By raising awareness among BC’s youngest students, we can help educators build a brighter future of acceptance, empathy and inclusion for individuals with autism. After launching to a handful of schools in the Lower Mainland, the program has now grown to 275 schools across BC.An elementary school classroom sits in front of a "We CAN Be Friends" sign with an orca whale mascot seated behind them in a school gym.

3. April 2011 | Programs expand outside the Lower Mainland
In Spring 2011, CAN launched multi-week sports and rec programs in both Victoria and Kamloops. Today, CAN offers programs in three Vancouver Island communities (Victoria, Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo) and two BC Interior communities (Kamloops and Kelowna). In total, CAN programs are actively delivered in 79 communities across BC.

4. April 1, 2012 | Inaugural CAN Family Festival at Jack Poole Plaza
In celebration of World Autism Awareness Day, we hosted the first-ever CAN Family Festival at Jack Poole Plaza. Held in Downtown Vancouver, the annual event featured an awareness walk, exhibitors, games, and live performances. For six years, the CAN Family Festival was an annual centerpiece in our efforts to bring families together, increase awareness and raise vital funding for our programs.

A group of children play with bubbles in an outdoor plaza
April 2012: The cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza was lit to celebrate CAN Family Festival for the first time.

5. March 17, 2013 | Inaugural CAN Sports Day at Sportstown in Richmond
For ten years, CAN family events have provided invaluable opportunities for both parents and kids to connect with others in the autism community. Events like the Rogers Arena Family Skate and Van Dusen Gardens Festival of Lights have marked the CAN calendar as annual highlights for our families.

In March 2013, we hosted the first-ever CAN Sports Day. With the support of the Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Vancouver Canadians, participants were treated to a truly memorable experience playing alongside their local sports heroes. Held in Sportstown Richmond the first year, it was moved to BC Place in 2014 where it has been held ever since.

A group of roughly 100 children, youth and adults gather on a turf field for an aerial photo

6. June 3, 2013 | First training workshop for external sports & rec staff
Our vision is for all individuals with autism to feel understood, accepted, and supported in all community spaces. In 2013, we began delivering autism training to sports and rec providers, ensuring that our ability to engage individuals with autism extends outside our walls too.

Since then, we have expanded these efforts to include training across public sectors, including first responders, educators, community recreation providers, and many others. Across BC, our workshops have been delivered in the far reaches of the province, including Northern BC, as well as First Nations communities.

In the summer of 2016, CAN workshops reached a pivotal milestone, becoming eligible for Coaching Association of Canada NCCP Maintenance Certification Points (PD Points) and BCRPA Continuing Education Credits (CECs).

7. Spring 2014 | CAN reaches 1,000 memberships
We are humbled that so many families have made us a part of their lives. Today, we impact over 4,000 individuals and families with autism on an annual basis. With a high ratio of support in all of our programs, we can be proud that each and every one our participants has a volunteer, support worker or coach that has personally supported them and celebrated their accomplishments.

8. November 17, 2014 | Launch of I CAN Fly with YVR
At CAN, collaboration is among our core values. We recognize that we cannot achieve our vision alone. After hearing about the struggles that individuals and families with autism face with air travel, we partnered with the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to launch I CAN Fly.

Beginning with the annual Accessibility Tour, families with autism are invited to go through the entire pre-flight process. Once families are ready to travel, they can access a step-by-step video and pick up a complimentary YVR Resource Toolkit that features checklists, maps and activity storybooks to best prepare children with autism for what to expect.

After successfully delivering the I CAN Fly program for three years, it was expanded to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) in November 2017.

9. September 21, 2015 | Inaugural Reveal Gala at Rogers Arena
We could not do what we do without our valued donors, sponsors and supporters. In order to shed light on both the challenges and successes of our participants, while raising vital funding for our programs, we held the inaugural Reveal Gala.

Transforming Rogers Arena into an intimate venue for just over 500 guests, the first gala raised over $800,000 for CAN programs. Over the past three galas, guests have been treated by incredible performances from Sarah McLachlan, the Tenors and Lola Lennox.

A family of three stands on stage while the mother speaks at a podium

10. April 3, 2018 |  Rogers Arena receives “Autism Aware” designation
With the Vancouver Canucks and Canucks for Kids Fund representing our longest-standing supporters, it was only fitting that Rogers Arena became the first NHL arena in Canada to feature comprehensive autism accessibility.

In addition to over 50 event staff receiving CAN autism training, sensory kits (featuring noise-cancelling headphones for loan, a sensory toy, ID bracelet, visual storybook, arena map and game-night timeline), a quiet room and fan text service have been made available to individuals and families living with autism for all Canucks games, events and concerts.

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Have you been a part of any of the above 10 milestones within the past 10 years? Join us in celebrating a decade of “I CAN”. The CAN Birthday Festival on Saturday, July 7 at Surrey Civic Plaza is FREE and open to the public.

Learn more at canucksautism.ca/bdayfest. Let’s celebrate!

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Mar 8, 2018

Over ten years ago, Katy Harandi gathered around a kitchen table with Vancouver Canucks Co-owners Paolo and Clara Aquilini and envisioned an organization that could provide recreational opportunities and a community of support for families living with autism.

As parents of children with autism, Katy, Paolo and Clara shared an understanding for the struggles associated with an autism diagnosis. It was with this desire to support other families living with autism that Canucks Autism Network (CAN) was formed.

On March 8, International Women Day, we recognize the decade of strong leadership that our invaluable President and CEO, Katy Harandi, has provided to our growing organization. Her spirit, compassion and infectious “I CAN” attitude has inspired a team of hundreds to create a space where every individual with autism can be understood, accepted and supported.

But before leading CAN, Katy’s commitment to those with autism began at home. Motivated to create a better life for her daughter with autism, she researched the field extensively, investigating a wide range of treatments for autism. And in order to supervise her daughter’s at-home support, she underwent countless hours of training from specialists and therapists.

Beyond her personal motivation to better understand autism, Katy was driven to create positive change in the lives of other families with autism, as well. With an MBA from UBC Sauder and a background in computer science, Katy’s acumen and solution-driven mindset have propelled CAN since day one.

A woman holding a mic speaks on stage.

After overseeing the process of becoming a non-profit society and registered charity, Katy and the Aquilinis set about obtaining funding from the Canucks for Kids Fund. In its inaugural year, CAN offered one soccer program at what was then GM Place and an autism awareness curriculum for elementary schools in the Lower Mainland.

From 2008-11, Katy served as CAN’s Chair of the Board, guiding the organization in its formative years as a small, grassroots charity. By 2012, CAN developed the capacity to fill over 2,700 annual program spots in weekly sports lessons, day camps, overnight camps and family events.

But during a critical time in CAN’s 10-year history, we were faced with a vacant Executive Director position. Katy was selected to assume the position of CEO on an interim basis.

What many may not know is that for one year, Katy donated her time in this executive position. While the Board searched for a permanent replacement, Katy represented an extreme rarity in the executive world – a volunteer CEO.

Needless to say, her selflessness and unwavering commitment is what inevitably made her the appropriate choice to assume the permanent position of President and CEO.

But regardless of her title – whether it be Chair of the Board, President, CEO or volunteer – it is Katy’s steadfast leadership since our inaugural year that has allowed CAN to influence the thousands of families with autism that benefit from our programs today.

A girl runs while holding a ball. A woman runs behind her.

Outside of CAN, Katy also serves as President of PALS Autism Society, another non-profit in Vancouver that provides school and adult programs for individuals with autism. It should come as no surprise that she has been a nominee for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to Canada.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the countless women like Katy who have dedicated their time and efforts to individuals and families living with autism across BC. They are on our board and in our office, guiding and coordinating our efforts. They are in our programs, delivering support in gyms, arenas, pools and fields. They are at home, providing unconditional love and care.

Thank you for leading the way.

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