Happy Valentines Day!
Throughout the history of Valentine’s Day, people have used the holiday as an excuse to celebrate romantic love and passion. These days, it’s also a time to celebrate platonic love, with everyone from elementary-aged children to the elderly sharing Valentines.
Board of Directors Profile - Chad Sutherland
Introducing Chad Sutherland

  • 1st Vice President
  • Joined the Board of Directors in June 2014
  • Director of Operations & Sport Performance, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Windsor

Chad Sutherland founded the Adapted Physical Exercise (APEX) Research group at the University of Windsor and first connected with Community Living Essex County on a Healthy Communities Grant in 2010. He is currently co-directing APEX with Dr. Sean Horton, and has partnered with Community Living Essex County on a multitude of grants and exercise programs over the last 12 years. 

Chad thoroughly enjoys working with the people supported by Community Living Essex County on a regular basis at the Toldo Lancer Centre. Chad has published peer reviewed manuscripts, presented at international conferences, and delivered workshops related to the benefits of exercise for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and an Intellectual Disability. Chad is passionate about making exercise an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
 
The Centre for Human Performance & Health (CHPH) provides community programming, and conducts research in 3 strategic areas:
  • Active and Healthy Living
  • Sport Performance
  • Workplace Training & Safety

Chad has been involved in high performance sports for almost 20 years, specializing in strength and conditioning, as well as athlete testing. 

In the winter, Chad can often be found at the rink watching his son play hockey or inside a gym watching his daughter play volleyball. In the summer, most of his time is spent around the softball diamonds or lacrosse facilities. The Sutherland’s are all avid Windsor Lancer sports fans and love to cheer on the Blue and Gold!
 
A few quick facts about Chad:
  • Chad's favourite activity is watching his kids play sports
  • His favourite type of restaurant is a place that brews their own beer
  • On his bucket list is attending World Juniors outside North America
  • He is currently reading The Book of Joe: Trying Not to Suck at Baseball and Life
Save the Date
JOIN US
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Oxley Holy Family Retreat

As a caregiver of an adult with intellectual disabilities who lives at home with you, you have probably been told that you are resilient. Why not spend an afternoon with other caregivers while you interact with a truly resilient Canadian Paralympian?

Presenting
Danielle Campo-McLeod
Our very own world record holder, gold medalist, Paralympian, mother of 5 children, including 2 step-children, and Windsor resident!

Join the Ensemble committee as Danielle shares her truly amazing life journey punctuated with challenges that required focus on what was possible. You will be motivated to celebrate each small step you take each day, and you will leave with renewed energy and hope. With determination and perseverance, you are on your way to creating a life of possibilities for yourself and your family, and for your community.

Danielle’s presentation will end with an interactive Q&A.

Limited seating is available *30 reserved places*.

Email mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com NOW to attend this FREE motivational chat.

Please include:
  • your name
  • your contact information
  • the age of family member you support
(All information provided is confidential)
Danielle has written a memoir which will be available for purchase.
See you on Saturday February 25th @ 2:30 pm.

This is a CAREGIVER ONLY event.

Stay connected!

Marilyn, Ensemble Family Consultant and the Volunteer Committee
mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com or 519-776-6483, ext 225
You're Invited to New Day's Meet and Greet
New Day is excited to host their first in-person event since 2020. It's been so long since they saw members of New Day face-to-face, so they decided to host a meet and greet on Friday, February 24th. New Day is inviting all self-advocates to come out to say hello, share their great ideas, and learn how they can speak up for themselves and others. Stop by for a quick visit or stay for a while - New Day would love to see you. The meet and greet will take place at the Essex Railway Station. There will be beverages and snacks.
New Day recently presented “A Year in Review for 2022” to the Board of Directors. They shared all of the great meetings they had last year and how New Day is looking forward to 2023. New Day is planning to have more in-person events, such as a summer BBQ and a field trip to Charlotte’s Freedom Farm.

New Day, along with other self-advocacy groups in Ontario, are planning another Speaking Out Conference to be held later this year in Port Elgin. New Day has interviewed some potential key note speakers and looks forward to sharing more details as the planning continues.

New Day is also starting to plan for their 20th anniversary that happens in the spring of 2024. Can you believe it’s been 20 years already? They are so excited to celebrate this milestone.

Members of New Day will be attending the Participatory Action Research Network Event virtually. This event will highlight how COVID-19 affected adults with disabilities and how they can further help researchers and self-advocates get their voices heard. If you are interested in attending virtually with New Day please email newday@communitylivingessex.org.
Community Living Ontario's
Together We're Better Contest
Deadline Extended
Click on the link below to submit your application by February 17th.
Looking for a New Volunteer Opportunity?
Join Us as an E-bingo Volunteer!  
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 519-776-6483 ext 246 or tony@communitylivingessex.org
The Tradition Continues
Ruthven Apple Festival is Back for 2023!
Mark your calendars now for Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st - the Ruthven Apple Festival is back! After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions this family tradition is returning to a live, in-person festival at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens in Ruthven. Planning for the event will begin shortly so look for more details soon.
New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital Project
PMO Report
The PMO Report is a monthly update from the Project Management Office for the New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital Project. 
In this edition, user group team members and Stantec architects are working together to develop a set of block diagrams and a campus plan. These high-level and early diagrams will show where the new hospital will be located on the site and where all programs and services will be located within the new facility.  
We Are Hiring and We Need Your Help!
Super Bowl Sunday 2023
On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will meet in the desert for the biggest sporting event of the year, Super Bowl 57. Super Bowl Sunday is this Sunday, February 12th, with the game taking place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 pm. Rihanna will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
AfroFest Winter Market
February 10th, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm join students at the University of Windsor Main Campus, CAW Student Centre Commons, 401 Sunset Avenue, for a Winter Market featuring goods sold by Windsor-Essex Black-owned businesses. Click the below link for more information.
Fish for Free
Ontario Family Fishing Events is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish Ontario waters for free. The Ontario Government has designated four periods throughout the year as free fishing:

  • Family Fishing Weekend (February 18-20, 2023)
  • Mother’s Day Weekend (May 13-14, 2023)
  • Father’s Day Weekend (June 17-18, 2023)
  • Family Fishing Week (July 1-9, 2023)
Positive Thoughts
Valentine's Day Heart Coffee Filter Wreath
Brighten up your February decor with this simple, yet stunning heart wreath. No one will suspect it is made from coffee filters and a card board box!

Supplies:

  • Glue dots
  • 100 coffee filters
  • Large corrugated cardboard box
  • Paint
  • 24-28" of Ruffled Red Satin ribbon 
  • Water
  • Utility knife
  • Marker
  • Ruler
  • Medium sized bowl (with a flat bottom)
  • Metal spoon
  • Paint brush
  • Old towels

Click the below link for the instructions.
Must See Movie
Black Panther - Wakanda Forever
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Now streaming on Disney+.
Recipe of the Week
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
This is the best sugar cookie recipe. Whenever you make these cookies for someone, be sure to bring along several copies of the recipe — you will be asked for it.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Weekly Poll Question
What is your favourite Valentine's Day activity?
Having a cozy night in
Going out for a romantic dinner
Eating chocolate
Watching romantic movies
Spending time with family
Poll Results
Which embarrassing thing are you most likely to do?
Trip in front of a crowd ~ 36.8%
Text the wrong person ~ 15.8%
Call someone the wrong name ~ 42.1%
Wardrobe malfunction ~ 2.6%
Break a nearby object ~ 2.6%