We're Celebrating Community Living Month
All Month Long!
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May is Community Living Month in Ontario, and we're celebrating inclusion all month long. Check out some of the ways we're celebrating:
- The Essex Centre is lit up with blue and green lights.
- Clayton and his support workers baked some tasty green and blue cookies to celebrate Community Living Month!
- People celebrated with some snacks and beverages in the Community Living colours.
- Larry, Ray and Stephen made blue and green papier-mâché birds for their garden.
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MCCSS Reform Plan Released
"Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion"
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On May 18th, the Honourable Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services released the government's plan to reform developmental services.
Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion" lays out the ministry's long-term vision for developmental services in Ontario, where people with developmental disabilities are supported so they can participate in their communities.
For an introduction, take a look at the video linked above. For more details about the reform plan, below are links to the Full Reform Plan and the Plain Language Version.
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15th Annual Mayors Luncheon Goes Virtual |
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In celebration of Community Living Month in Ontario, we hosted our 15th annual Mayors Luncheon event. The first virtual edition brought together 65 people from across Essex County, including Mayors, Town Councillors and community representatives.
The Zoom-based event included several inspiring presentations and updates about our work in 2020 and our plans moving forward in 2021.
The theme, “stories of resilience and possibilities", was well received. The stories highlighted members and services from New Day, Ensemble, and Career Compass.
After a year under restrictions, people have become accustomed to using online platforms to communicate. The virtual event allowed us to reconnect and update our stakeholders on our current progress and future plans.
Thanks to everyone who attended, especially those from municipalities across Essex County that support our work in their communities.
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“If you want to do really important things in life and big things in life, you can’t do anything by yourself. And your best teams are your friends and your siblings.” ~Deepak Chopra
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Our relationships with our siblings are the longest ones in our lives. Siblings impact and influence each other throughout their lives, often strengthening each other through that process. As siblings of someone with a disability, we can be valuable supports to our brothers and sisters when mom and dad are gone, to help them live a dignified life in the community.
In the Empowering Ability Podcast linked below, Don Meyer, Director of the Sibling Support Project speaks about his dedication to the millions of brothers and sisters of people with developmental disabilities. Don is one of the world’s leading experts on siblings, and has supported siblings for the last 35 years.
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Kelly Runnalls,
Parent Consultant, Ensemble
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Reminder: Survey Deadline is May 28th
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As part of our commitment to continue to provide the absolute best quality supports and services to people with intellectual disabilities, we invite you to tell us what you think.
Your feedback matters. Given the challenges we’ve faced together this past year due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever for us to hear from you.
Please take a few minutes to complete the Annual Satisfaction Survey. The anonymous survey should take under 10 minutes to complete.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Sue Desjarlais |
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Ten years ago, Sue Desjarlais joined a crew of volunteers at the annual Community Living Essex County gift wrapping booth at Devonshire Mall in Windsor.
At the time, Sue not only wanted to get into the holiday spirit, but also to give back to the community. Sue enjoyed her experience so much that she decided to lend more of her volunteer time to Community Living Essex County.
Since then, Sue has assisted with the Annual Charity Golf Tournament and volunteered her time to help with both the Mayors Luncheon event and Annual General Meeting awards review and selection.
Sue was so enthusiastic about the agency and our work that she joined the Board of Directors in 2014 and now serves as the 1st Vice President.
“I have gained so much insight into the lives of the people we support; I'm very proud and pleased to be part of the organization and look forward to helping promote inclusion in our communities”, states Sue.
In addition to her volunteer work with Community Living Essex County, numerous other agencies and fundraising events benefit from Sue’s energy, enthusiasm and expertise including the John R. Park Homestead Board of Directors and the Windsor Rotary Club.
Sue is a resident of LaSalle, and currently serves as a dedicated elected Councillor for the Town of LaSalle.
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We Want to Hear From You!
How Are You Staying Well and Keeping Positive During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
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Whether it’s a new hobby, healthy habit or a positive change to your daily routine, we want to hear about it! Let us know in the box below. These submissions will be featured in the weekly internal video updates sent out to employees by our Executive Director, Karen Bolger and may be included in upcoming editions of the Possibilities newsletter. |
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Membership Benefits Include:
- Voting rights
- Invitation to virtual AGM
- Electronic Communications
- Closer Look mailer
- Annual report
- I'm All INclusion window cling (corporate members)
- I'm All Inclusion accessory (individual members)
- Membership card
Do you believe in inclusion? Join us today!
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Free Virtual Event: Monaco Grand Prix |
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The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event held annually on the Circuit de Monaco on the last weekend in May. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, and is one of the races—along with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans—that form the Triple Crown of Motorsport. The circuit has been called "an exceptional location of glamour and prestige".
Sunday, May 23, 2021 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
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Free Virtual Weekend Dharma Yoga |
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This virtual group is about sharing spiritual yoga practice of Sri Dharma Mittra.
There are two levels:
- Dharma I - Saturday 9:00 am
- Dharma Gentle - Sunday 9:00 am
Classes are held online through Google Meet.
Both classes are taught in the gentle manner, helping your body to recover, release extra tension and enjoy your day more completely!
Everyone is welcome to join!
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The Queen's Gambit
Orphaned at the tender age of nine, prodigious introvert Beth Harmon discovers and masters the game of chess in 1960s USA. But child stardom comes at a price. This mini-series is streaming on Netflix.
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Memphis-Style Hickory-Smoked Beef and Pork Ribs
These Memphis-style beef and pork spareribs are the signature dish of Food Network's king and queen of barbecue. If you're a dry rib fan, serve these with a little extra of the barbecue seasoning blend on top. If you prefer wet ribs, mix up a batch of the homemade barbecue sauce.
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Laughter is the Best Medicine |
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Which is the worst haircut you have ever had?
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I have never had a bad haircut!
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Would you rather sneeze for an hour or have hiccups for an hour?
Sneeze ~ 44.8%
Hiccups ~ 55.2%
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