Kylie Castro is one of the Special Needs Inclusion Workers at the KMFRC. She supports Military families who have dependants with special needs and helps them find resources, advocates for them, connects them with community agencies and helps them integrate into onsite programming as well as facilitates a playgroup and a parent support group.
In Kylie’s world, there is no “typical” day. Sometimes she assists families with funding applications or connecting them with local agencies. Other times she is facilitating or involved with programs like the Sensory Celebration at the Communications and Electronics Museum, or Lego club or a playgroup.
“The Sensory Celebration was a great event that we offered to our Special Needs families,” Kylie said. “We focused on communication because special needs children often have an alternative ways of communicating, so we did things like sending Morse Code letters to Santa and communicating with flags, so it was really cool. The same event was then open for the community in the afternoon.”
What did you do before this?
“I was a Child and Youth Facilitator with Les Petits Amis Childcare Centre (LPA). I did a Co-op here while I was a student in the Behavioural Psychology program at St. Lawrence College and then I started working here shortly after.”
“Prior to that, I went to school for theater and music and studied Performing Arts at Sheridan. It was a natural progression for me, because ever since I was in Grade three, I liked to sing and dance and perform. I’ve performed in Les Miserables and Forty Second Street and I absolutely loved it.
But one of the things that really inspired me was working with individuals who had special needs. I met a gentleman who had Autism and I just found him so compelling and I loved learning from him and with him. He had a very interesting outlook on life and on the Performing Arts world. It’s very competitive, so you may audition 100 times, before you get a gig. But it never brought him down. He had such a positive attitude. He just loved what he did and he got on with it. Working with him, led me into this direction. I would really love to start a drama program that’s all-inclusive to all abilities.
When I was in college, I studied theater makeup, stage management, singing, and a broad spectrum of Performing Arts. I really loved the singing and I still get to perform occasionally. Singing is a big piece of me, so I’m hoping to marry that into my role here and figure out how I can make those two worlds come together.
I also love working with Military families. I’ve loved it since I started my placement. I really love the center and I like to the community that’s here, so it’s fun when you get to come to work and you’re in a good mood.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I usually hang out with my family and sing. My daughter loves to perform too. Every time there’s a movie on, she has to act it out, so we have props and all kinds of dress up clothes. And she’ll sing at the top of her lungs, so I have a lot of fun with her.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I think my biggest pet peeve is at myself. I often stop myself from following through with things by focusing on the ‘what ifs.’ My husband is great, because he gives me the extra push I need to get on with it.
Also people who chew with their mouths open.
And gulping.
That’s it.