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About Us

Olds & District Special Family Voices Council (SFV) includes parents and families of people with
intellectual disabilities who manage their loved one’s care. Originally formed in 2017, the society
re-ignited its non-profit status in 2023 and began holding free events to foster an inclusive
community where people of diverse abilities can connect, be socially engaged and have fun
together. Following strategic planning sessions in 2024 and 2025, SFV solidified it mission,
vision and values as outlined below.

Photo L-R-Wanda Spooner, Dan Daley, Cindy Tippe, Linda Toews, Nigel Moorehous, Bev Randers, Amber Braun

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Mission

Enriching the Lives of People with Special Needs

Vision

To be a leading community that empowers people with special needs through meaningful collaboration with a variety of partners within the community.

Values

Family

Awareness

Connections

Togetherness

Support

Our Team

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Cindy Tippe

President

Cindy's journey into the disability world began with the birth of her son Evan. When he was graduating from Horizon School in 2014 it became painfully obvious that there was not much for him to look forward to after school. A conversation with the Olds College began about developing a 'Horizon College' and creating a hub similar to The Hub on Ross Street. Those ideas are still there, but we are concentrating (for now!) on what is here in the community and so pleased to be building partnerships with those who understand the challenges we face when we have a loved one with complex needs. 

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Linda Toews

Vice President  

Linda and her family are very involved in various organizations-such as Women's Institute and the Olds Gun & Antique Show, in addition to Special Family Voices. She runs several markets throughout the year, in addition to running a mixed farm and is very active with Special Olympics. Linda can be counted on to provide sound advise and is a strong advocate for her family. 

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Wanda Spooner

Secretary

Wanda is passionate about building a better future for the worlds most vulnerable. As an experienced grant writer, relationship builder and project manager she has enjoyed contributing to non-profit missions for over 30 years spanning international development, tourism, social services, the arts and the environment. As the parent of a person with a developmental disability she is passionate about SFV’s mission to enrich the lives of people with special needs and also volunteers with Special Olympics.

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Nigel Moorhous

Treasurer

Nigel’s involvement with the ‘disability world’ began many years ago when he started to notice the difficulties his own daughter, who has disabilities, was having fitting in at school, academically, making friends and so on. Now retired, he has decided to draw on his experience of many years as a finance manager to try and give a little back. His background helps him to assist the organization both financially and in other areas. He has found it rewarding in many areas, not just financial.

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Bev Randers

Board Member

With over 40 years of experience building community, Bev is passionate about leaving no one behind.  Bev's track record of working together stem from her farming roots and she sees great potential in our Mountain View County for meaningful, mutually beneficial collaboration.  "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all".  Bev is always ready to explore new ideas and to take action for full inclusion and maximum independence.  

 

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Amber Braun

Board Member

As a mom of four special kids I am always looking for ways to get them involved in the community. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents helping special needs people in our community with cooking, shopping, swimming and teaching music. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I worked with special needs people in various workplaces. My heart is overjoyed when I see special needs people being part of our community and look forward to helping facilitate more of these opportunities. 

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Dan Daley

Board Member

Dan attended the Olds College and Red Deer College. He was an instructor of Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technicians at Olds College for 32 years and lived in Olds for over 30 years. Dan volunteered on several boards, committees and groups for the community and College. He became a board member for Special Family Voices in 2014.  Dan was elected Councillor for the Town of Olds in 2021 and then was elected Mayor of Olds in 2025.

OUR SUPPORTERS &
COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS

Carmel Meloney & Greg MacIntyre
Individual Members/Donors

News

International Day of Persons with Disabilities Celebrated in Olds!

The Olds & District Special Family Voices Council celebrated Dec. 4, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, with an event at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105.

Activities planned in Olds for National AccessAbility Awareness Week (NAAW)

Special Family Voices and Special Olympics Alberta Olds & District holds activities marking the week which runs from May 25-31.​

Special Family Voices-
how we started and some grand ideas.

Olds & District Special Family Voices Council president Cindy Tippe dreams that one day, the organization will have a headquarters and offer educational programming for special needs people

Annual Reports

SFV AGM Presidents Report May 2 2025

SFV AGM presidents report May 2 2025

Unaudited Financial Reports

Frequently asked questions

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