The DASCH Foundation has announced that Karyn Lazareck will be the honoree at the foundation’s 10th annual DASCH Recognition Awards Luncheon on April 29th, 2011.

DASCH – which stands for Direct Action in Support of Community Homes – was established in 1974 and provides fully staffed homes and supportive living services for youth and adults with a range of intellectual disabilities.   Currently DASCH owns and manages 50 homes in the Winnipeg area as well as running a number of specialized day programs for non-resident individuals and families who are part of the DASCH family.

Karen Fonseth, CEO of DASCH Inc. said that Lazareck was a unanimous choice for this year’s award because of her dedication to enriching the lives of people with developmental challenges, adding that
“Karyn is living proof that one person really can make a difference”.

In 1991 Karyn spearheaded the special needs initiative in Winnipeg’s Jewish community, and a year later she co-chaired the community’s inaugural conference on special needs – a watershed event that launched major initiatives within the community and promoted inclusion in the areas of recreation, camping, education, religious life and vocational training. 

In 1992 Karyn founded G.R.O.W. (Gaining Resources Our Way), a unique, non-denominational life skills summer program in Gimli, Manitoba  designed to help young adults with autism and other cognitive disorders achieve greater independence through life skills training.    Last year   G.R.O.W.  launched a transitional 18-24 month day program here in Winnipeg offering a more intensive and comprehensive life skills  education experience.

Lazareck is a parent of an accomplished  and very independent adult son who was diagnosed with pervasive development disorder (P.D.D.) as a youngster, and she credits him as being a tremendous inspiration in both her life and her work.     According to Fonseth, Karyn herself is an inspiration to everyone in this  field,  and her approach to education and training provides a constant reminder of how important it is for all individuals to have access to continuous learning opportunities throughout their lives.

The DASCH Recognition Awards Luncheon will be held April 29th at the Fort Garry Hotel.  For further information, individual tickets of table sponsorship, please contact Joanne Patenaude at 987-1556 or [email protected]