One of Zina's goals for this year was to seek out a church that fit her needs in faith. She loves watching church services on YouTube, and recently visited the St. Francis Catholic Church in Tilbury. |
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Board of Directors Profile - Michelle Mastellotto |
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Introducing Michelle Mastellotto
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2nd Vice President (since 2021) Board member since 2017
- Retired Systems Engineer
Michelle is married and has 3 adult children, one of whom receives 24-hour supports from Community Living Essex County in Tecumseh near her home. Michelle graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering.
Michelle has been a board member of several community organizations as well as a Special Education Advisory Committee Representative for many years. Past boards include Up About Down, East Side Riders Cycling Club, and currently, in addition to CLEC she is also a board member of Holiday Beach Migration Observatory.
When Michelle is not doing board work, she likes to keep active by cycling, swimming, walking, and doing yoga. Michelle volunteers in the gardens at Ojibway Nature Centre as well.
A few other facts about Michelle:
- Michelle's favourite activity is birding
- Her New Year’s resolution is to improve her French
- On her bucket list is an African Safari
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As the voice of families, it has been one of the goals of Ensemble to create opportunities for all Essex County families to connect. We have been driven by the need to end isolation by highlighting the importance of reaching out not only to families that include individuals with intellectual disability but also to the greater community.
As we continue to share positive initiatives, we support families. Every positive family experience has the possibility of opening the minds of all families to opportunities they never imagined. Families with lived experience can guide others along the way. These collaborations have the potential to create lives that celebrate the importance of recognizing the untapped contributions of everyone. In the process, diversity will become a valued attribute of a compassionate society.
As I reread the opening words of the famous speech of Martin Luther King Jr “I Have a Dream”, I too have a dream. My dream for 2023 is that there will be greater understanding, acceptance and opportunities for all Canadian citizens and that ability will not define opportunity.
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Another rewarding Caregiver Appreciation event is planned for February. Get ready to register!
Stay connected!
Marilyn, Ensemble Family Consultant and the Volunteer Committee
ensemble@communitylivingessex.org or 519-776-6483, ext 225
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Love Popcorn & Giving Back to a Great Cause? |
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Looking for the perfect snack for Super Bowl Sunday or a yummy treat to gift a loved one for Valentine's Day or Family Day? Order a bag (or a few bags!) of delicious, fresh-popped popcorn from The Richmond Popcorn Co.! 100% of proceeds are being donated to New Day, Leaders of Today, advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and Ensemble, providing support and guidance to families of people with intellectual disabilities.
Choose from six tasty flavours: Movie Time, Caramel Corn, Cheddar, Salt & Vinegar, Dill Pickle, and Sweet Cinnamon! There are approximately 17 cups of popped corn in each resealable bag!
Order online from January 17 to January 27 and pick up Friday, February 10 from 8am-6pm!
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Looking for a Volunteer Opportunity?
Join us as an E-bingo Volunteer!
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The funds Community Living Essex County raises through e-bingo at Breakaway Gaming Centre in Windsor goes a long way in terms of helping the children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities who we support. Did you know that we receive minimal government funding to cover the cost of transportation for people we support to stay active and get around town to work, volunteer, or participate in leisure activities? It’s possible for us raise up to $30,000 per year from e-bingo alone. This helps purchase fuel and maintain vehicles. But we can’t do it without volunteers.
How does it work?
It’s an easy way to raise money. Breakaway Gaming awards community charities funds when two volunteers work an assigned shift.
What does an e-bingo volunteer do?
It’s a two hour shift at the Breakaway Gaming Center in Windsor where the volunteers welcome e-bingo participants, then walk around the gaming area, checking if players need anything, and keeping the gaming area neat and tidy. It may not be the most exciting volunteer opportunity, but it certainly makes a difference in the lives of people we support.
What is required of a volunteer?
A short online training course must be completed prior to volunteering. A Community Living Essex County golf shirt will be provided and dark pants and closed-toe shoes must be worn. You must provide your own transportation to the gaming centre but Community Living Essex County will provide a $25 gas card as a token of our thanks and appreciation.
Consider giving your time to help us maximize this very generous opportunity provided by Breakaway Gaming and to raise some much-needed money to help cover the cost of transportation for the people we support.
To find out more, please contact Tony DeSantis, Manager, Community Relations and Resource Development at 519-562-8312 or tony@communitylivingessex.org.
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Jingle Bell Run a Ringing Success |
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After two years of virtual events, 400 walkers and runners from across Essex County got their “Jingle On” and celebrated a live, in person Jingle Bell Run, Walk and Wheel event in November and raised $10,000. Thanks to our many volunteers, sponsors and community partners including the Essex 73’s Hockey Club, Essex Fire and OPP. A special thanks to our event hosts Ken Knapp Ford for taking the lead in ensuring a successful return to a popular community event fundraiser.
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Giving Tuesday Exceeds Fundraising Goal! |
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Through a combination of online donations and community fundraising events, Community Living Essex County in partnership with matching partner, Libro Credit Union is proud to announce that it has met and exceeded the Giving Tuesday campaign goal of raising $12,000! The proceeds from the 2022 Giving Tuesday campaign will be used to purchase support technology and apps for the people we support.
Thank you to Vern’s Tap and Grill in Kingsville, Carmen’s Catering in Leamington, and Domino’s Pizza for their outstanding support in helping us reach our goal and inspire possibilities.
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With an army of dedicated volunteers and support of our corporate partners, St. Clair College, and the St. Clair College Alumni Association we made a safe, successful return to our month-long Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth event, raising a record $20,000. Thanks to our many volunteers, sponsors and Devonshire Mall for their help and support.
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New Day is Looking for Executive Committee Members |
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CICE Virtual Information Session |
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If you are interested in learning more about all Community Integration Through Cooperative Education programs across the province you are invited to attend the CICE Virtual Provincial Fair January 24th 6:00 - 7:30pm. Click the below link to register.
You will receive videos regarding each college program ahead of the event and then participate in a virtual Q&A on January 24th with representatives from each college.
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Community Living Ontario - Together We're Better Contest! |
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February is inclusive education month! Students who learn together in school also learn to live well together as adults and are better able to create and participate in communities where everyone belongs.
How it Works:
Work with your class, your friends, a classmate or school group (min. 2 people) and submit a creative media (ex. video, song, photo collage, story, TikTok, etc.) on how your school, classroom, and/or extra curricular program actively supports inclusion of students who have an intellectual disability.
Deadline:
Submit your creative media and application by Friday, February 10th, 2023 (11:59 pm EST) Contest is open to grades one through twelve in Ontario.
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Early Planning Toolkit Webcast |
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We all share the same dream for our children—a life filled with friends, joy and opportunities. As a parent/caregiver of a child with a disability, we know you already have a lot on your plate. But there are things you can do now that will make a huge impact on your child’s future. The Early Planning Toolkit will help you get started.
The Great Start Webcast is the first of two webcasts offered in the Early Planning Toolkit and touches on those critical ideas you can focus on now that will impact your child's future.
Dr. Peter Rosenbaum of the CanChild Centre at McMaster University speaks to the limitless potential of children with disabilities. Plus, two proactive mothers with young children with a disability share their insights on advocating, building a team, finding friends and transitioning to school.
WEBCAST -
January 25th at
7:00 pm
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Community Living Essex is Hiring & We Need Your Help! |
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Up to Snow Good Vendors Market |
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Fun for the whole family! Kids activities, delicious food and some amazing local vendors, make sure to stop by! Admission is free. Taking place January 21st from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at WFCU Centre Colovino Hall, 8787 McHugh Street, Windsor.
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Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit |
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The Lunar New Year begins on January 22nd and the Essex County Chinese Canadian Association (ECCCA) will be organizing community events to celebrate the most festive occasion on the Chinese calendar. Around the world, many countries and cultures observe and celebrate the lunar new year. In Chinese tradition, it is a time for families to be together after a long year of hard work and, in many instances, separation. During the Chinese New Year, the world’s largest annual human migration occurs as Chinese people travel far and wide, in China and the around the globe, to be with their loved ones. This will be the first opportunity to mark the occasion since the lifting of health restrictions and the ECCCA looks forward to celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with the Windsor-Essex community.
This year’s ECCCA CNY activities will include the following: Sunday, January 22nd, 2023: Chinese New Year Celebration (Year of the Rabbit) at Devonshire Mall Location: Centre Court in front of The Bay Time: 12:00 – 4:00 PM. The festivities open with a traditional Dragon Dance followed by demonstrations of Chinese Canadian arts and culture – highlighting dance, music, the Chinese Zodiac, calligraphy, and a Children’s Arts & Crafts Corner. Also featured: New Year greetings from the God of Fortune who will be handing out Lai Si (lucky envelopes) for children, musical performances, Chinese Folk Dances, Qipao dancers, Kung Fu and Tai Chi performances. Snacks and beverages will be available. This celebration is free and open to the public. For more information, contact (519) 252-6621.
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Supplies needed to make DIY frozen suncatchers:
- water
- a container
- natural items for decoration
Suggested items:
- Pine needles
- Leaves
- Flowers/petals
- Twigs
- Acorns
- Pebbles
- Pinecones
- Birdseed
- Orange or lemon slices
- Berries
- Evergreen branches
- Nuts
- Ivy
You can use plastic lids, paper/plastic plates, pie plates, pans, bowls or silicone molds. No need to buy anything new – get creative with what you already have at home! You can use anything from cupcake tins to bundt cake pans!
Fill your container with the required amount of water. Try to keep the water shallow so that the suncatchers freeze faster, aren’t too heavy to hang and are thin enough to allow sunlight to pass through them. Once you have water in your container, add the natural elements to the water in any design of your choosing. Add a few drops of food coloring to make a rainbow of beautiful colors in your frozen suncatchers! And if you want to hang these gorgeous creations from tree branches or on a windowsill, make sure you add a small piece of string or ribbon half out of the ice in a loop so that it will freeze in place giving you a built-in hanger for your suncatcher. If possible, make the suncatchers in a place you can leave them to freeze.
After the water turns to ice, gently remove the ice suncatcher from the mold hang your sun catchers from a tree branch or windowsill.
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Wednesday
Follows Wednesday Addams' years as a student, when she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents. One season is streaming on Netflix.
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Roasted Winter Vegetable Medley
This is a sweet mixture of comforting winter vegetables that you can serve on its own as a side dish, or use as the component of a polenta, big bowl, frittata or omelet, or pasta.
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Laughter is the Best Medicine |
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What is your favourite flavour of popcorn?
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On what social platform would you want to be famous?
Instagram ~ 10.8%
Twitter ~ 2.7%
LinkedIn ~ 2.7%
YouTube ~ 2.7%
Tik Tok ~ 5.4%
I don't want to be famous on social media ~ 75.7%
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