Message from the Executive Director
August 21, 2008
Dear Parents, Members, Donors and Community Stakeholders:
Family Linkages Foundation of Alberta is pleased to announce to you its new name
and new look including a new logo and new website.
Almost two years ago Family Linkages Foundation of Alberta began the task of
evaluating whether the organization’s name matched its mandate, mission and
vision. A survey was sent to families, staff, funders, members and community
stakeholders. The feedback from this survey revealed overwhelmingly that the
majority of the Foundation’s stakeholders did not feel the name Family Linkages
Foundation of Alberta reflected the services offered, the organization’s vision
and mission or captured the identity of the organization. With these results an
ad hoc committee was established. The results of their work can be seen
throughout the website you are exploring today. Stage two of the website with a
membership login will be developed over the next few months. Keep checking in
for updated news and events as well as programming resources and opportunities.
The new name Centre for Autism Services Alberta better reflects the mandate of
the organization. Parents that have been in the Centre on a Saturday afternoon,
each weekday morning during the summer as children head out for camp while other
children arrive for speech services, or on a Thursday evening can attest to the
hub of activity going on as a multitude of programs and activities take place
simultaneously. The Committee saw the word centre as a hub, a central point
where people gather to meet, to learn, and to feel supported.
Our new logo was designed by Jeff Kulak a University of Alberta Arts graduate.
Jeff is a published contemporary artist; we are grateful for his support and
creativity. The logo is meant to represent; integration, partnership, growth and
play. The non-symmetrical circles are to symbolize movement and growth that
naturally occurs in our families, children and the organization. The colours are
playful, youthful and cheery.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Name Change Committee for all
of their hard work as well as all of the interested parties that attended a
focus group session facilitated by Alberta Community Development last November.
These participants were instrumental in assisting the organization with
selecting its new name.
Sincerely,
Deborah Allard Usunier
Executive Director
