About Us
Grow. Connect. Belong.
New Leaf Link (NeLL) has been operating in South Frontenac Township since 2009, but the story of NeLL begins much earlier. It is my personal story of trying to figure out how to help Nicolas. It’s been a long journey, but all along the way we’ve been accompanied by family and friends who have helped us grow and reach out to others.
Nicolas was born in the 1980s and he was first diagnosed with autism in Japan at age 4, at a time before early interventions and autism services were readily available. Once Nicolas entered high school I realized there would be few prospects for him, especially in rural Kingston, yet the country life was therapeutic for both of us. And so the seeds for NeLL were sewn.
Dr. Howard A. Smith (founding Director of NeLL) came into our lives as Nicolas was transitioning into high school. Without Howard’s support throughout the years until his passing in 2015, New Leaf Link would not exist, or be as vibrant as it has become today.
NeLL’s first logo is an organic metaphor that was inspired by Nicolas’ love of the natural world. An oak leaf was the model for the logo.
We knew that Nicolas wasn’t the only person facing life with few prospects once high school was done. Nicolas graduated in 2007, but in 2006 I had already begun talking with other parents, friends, and colleagues about how we might provide services beyond school in our home community.
The first 4 participants at NeLL were graduates of Sydenham High School: Amy, Joel, Nicolas, and Stefan. And so the first classes, in Equestrian and Arts, were launched from Glenburnie in cooperation with a friend and fellow Queen’s graduate (Dr. Margaret Meban), one teacher (Joanna Lyon) and volunteers Linda Alford and Margot Gallagher.
What became clear during those first NeLL classes was that my hopes and dreams for Nicolas were not so very different from those of any parent. We all want our children to have opportunities, connections, and feel a sense of belonging within a community.
Those hopes and dreams became the roots of the friendship project that has grown into the NeLL of today.
-Karin Steiner
Meet our Board Members
Contributing Organizations
June 29, 2020
New Leaf Link received grant approval from the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Response Fund (ECSF), administered by United Way KFL&A.
This one-time ECSF grant was approved for $14,856 to provide wellness checks, virtual programming and in-person programming when possible to reduce isolation of developmentally disabled adults in rural communities in South & Central Frontenac. The grant period for this funding is from July 2020 to Mar 31, 2021.
July 15, 2020
New Leaf Link received grant approval from the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Response Fund (ECSF), administered by Community Foundation FLA.
This ECSF grant was approved for $10,000 to redesign the NeLL website to make it more functional and interactive for participants, and to purchase & install Google Workspace to provide effective & inclusive program delivery. This grant provides participants, program staff & Board Members with access to emails, photos, videos & voice conferencing, lessons, cloud storage & shared drives and to enhance our program delivery and communication.
Nov. 13, 2020
NeLL received full grant funding in the amount of $14,973 for our project New Leaf Link Support for Simultaneous Program Delivery Model through the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area’s Fall 2020 Community Grants Program. NeLL requested emergency operational funding to cover the costs of key program resources from April 2021 through to October 2021, including Curriculum Development/ Program Operations, Contract Instructors, On-site Cleaner, HFMC Hall Rental, Insurance & project supplies. The grant period for this funding is from July 2020 to Mar 31, 2021. CF has asked that we tag them on social media platforms at @CFKingstonArea and use #thanksCFKA in social posts.