Take Me Out to the Ball Game |
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Kevin and Scott took a day trip to Toronto over the long weekend to watch a Toronto Blue Jays game at their home stadium. The city was bustling with activity as they joined other fans in the crowd, ready to enjoy the game. Kevin and Scott enthusiastically supported their team, enjoying the camaraderie with fellow fans. It was a memorable day that provided a break from their usual routines and created lasting memories. |
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Jonathan discovered a kitten outside of his home and decided to adopt the adorable feline and name it Luna. This new addition has brought joy to Jonathan's life, as he embraces the responsibilities of being a pet owner. |
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May is Community Living Month in Ontario &
WE BELIEVE!
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Community Living Month is a province-wide annual awareness campaign to promote true inclusion and belonging for people who have an intellectual disability. Check out the video above to hear from people who believe in Community Living!
Support from the Local Business Community
We are teaming up with several local businesses who are lighting up their locations in blue and green in a show of support for the month of May. Several others are featuring roadside messages on their signs to promote Community Living Month!
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You Can Get Involved!
We're encouraging everyone to participate all month long in their own way! You can decorate your house or workplace in blue and green, bake blue and green treats, or display green and blue balloons outside! Submit your photos using the link below and we will share them on our social media channels and here in the Possibilities newsletter. Thank you for your support!
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2023 Luncheon with the Mayors |
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Karen Bolger, Executive Director
Community Living Essex County
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Ray Renaud and Brianne Taggart
New Day
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The 18th annual Community Living Essex County Mayors Luncheon was held on Thursday, May 18th. The event served as an opportunity not only to celebrate Community Living Month, but to reach out to community partners including local organizations, municipalities, and businesses across Essex County. This year, the theme “I Believe in Community Living,” acknowledged local supporters who believe in an inclusive society where everyone belongs creating a positive impact in our community and with the people we serve. Speaking on behalf of the many local mayors in attendance, Essex County Warden and Mayor of the Town of Leamington, Hilda MacDonald, stated, “We talk about being inclusive. We need to walk the walk. It’s all about the quality of life in communities, no matter the language, colour of skin or abilities.”
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Leamington Mayor, Hilda MacDonald and Tony DeSantis, Manager, Community Relations Community Living Essex County |
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Many thanks to everyone who attended! It was wonderful to see everyone in-person, and share updates, stories and successes with representatives from across Essex County! New Day, Leaders of Today, Ensemble, Sutton Creek Golf Club, Libro Credit Union and the Municipality of Leamington shared what it means to "Be a Believer!". We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
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Celebrating Unpaid Family Caregivers |
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Ensemble successfully received a grant to reward unpaid family caregivers supporting family members with intellectual disabilities at home. As a result, fun, creative social events were organized for caregivers. These free events provided caregivers opportunities to relax and enjoy socializing with new community families, away from home responsibilities. This grant ended March 31, 2023.
The Ontario Caregivers Organization is once again providing grant money to existing family support networks. Ensemble will apply for the new grant money. Unpaid caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities who live at home provide much needed support and recognizing their valuable contributions is a very positive step forward.
We will keep you posted as the successful applicants will be notified in June 2023. In preparation for the grant application, it would be helpful to hear from families caring for adults with intellectual disabilities in the family home. We need your involvement.
If you have ideas about creative uses for the grant money, Ensemble will carefully consider your suggestions. Please submit ideas that recognize the value of unpaid caregivers to: mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com 🌼
Marilyn, Ensemble Family Consultant and the Advisory Committee
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Staying Healthy Throughout the Summer |
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Tick Alert in Windsor-Essex: Important Information from WECHU |
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As stated by the Public Health Agency of Canada, different types of ticks live in Canada. Some can transmit diseases while others are only a nuisance. Blacklegged ticks can transmit the bacterium that carries Lyme disease. The Windsor Essex County Health Unit has identified South Western Ontario as an established area for Lyme Disease. Therefore, precautions need to be taken when going outdoors.
The Windsor Essex County Health Unit outlines precautions to be taken and the process to follow if you happen to find that a tick has embedded itself into the skin. Please click the link below to read about these precautions and for further information.
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Join Us! Become a Member Today! |
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Sign up by May 31st to be eligible to vote at this year's Annual General Meeting.
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A strong Community Living Essex County membership consists of people who believe in our philosophy, values, vision, and mission - people who care about the work we do, outcomes for people we support, and the future direction of our organization. Members can make a difference, influence the services we offer people in Essex County, and be champions of inclusive practices and communities.
Passionate about people with intellectual disabilities having opportunities to live a life of their choosing, to receive real pay for real work, to be active members of their community, to achieve their goals and dreams, and to experience full inclusion? Help us become MEMBER STRONG. Submit your membership application today!
In addition to voting rights, members-only publications, and events, we’re offering some new elements this year to members including discounted registration to our major events, discounts on Community Living Essex County branded clothing, and a new discount program at various Essex County businesses. We’ve even added some new benefits for Corporate Members.
Join the Member Strong movement!
For more information, visit our website today or download your membership application using the links below.
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You're Invited to the 62nd Annual General Meeting!
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Our 62nd Annual General Meeting is taking place virtually on June 21st. In addition to the business portion of the meeting, we'll be recognizing National Aboriginal Day, acknowledging award recipients and enjoying a slideshow looking back at the past year! |
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Essex Fun Fest Sip 'n Shop |
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Back by popular demand! Don’t miss your chance to get tickets to this year’s
Live music, vendors, wineries, prizes, friends, fun, and more! This event, for the second year in a row, will kick off the Essex Fun Fest on the Thursday night. Hundreds gathered last year for a night of fun! Bring your friends and family!
Tickets $30 - Limited Quantity!
$10 from every ticket sold by Community Living Essex County and $5 from every ticket sold by ESSEX BIA & Essex Fun Fest will support Community Living Essex County.
Don't wait - these tickets will sell out!
Date: Thursday, July 6
Time: 7:30 PM - 11: 30 PM
Location: 60 Fairview Avenue West in Essex, ON.
Ticket includes admission into the event, souvenir branded wine tumbler for the first 500 people through the gates, three samplings, one glass of wine, a personal charcuterie, live entertainment and a chance to win numerous door prizes.
Where can I buy my tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Essex Centre (372 Talbot St. N. in Essex) by cash, debit, credit or through payroll deduction. (for CLEC employees)
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Palliative Care Information Session |
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
"The Value of Palliative Care for a Person Living with IDD" will be taking place June 15th at 7pm and will be presented by esteemed healthcare professionals Janet Elder BScN, RN, CHPCN (C) and Shannon Richard MClSc, BScN, RN, CHPCN (C).
This virtual, FREE, educational session will explore the importance of palliative care for individuals living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This informative session is open to all families and caregivers of people living with IDD. Gain valuable insights and knowledge about providing comprehensive care for your loved ones.
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding of palliative care in the context of IDD.
Come back to this edition of Possibilities on June 15th at 7pm to join the virtual session by clicking the flyer above or using the button provided below.
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The Power of Inclusive Mindsets FREE Webinar |
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In honour of National AccessAbility Week, the Rick Hansen Foundation is hosting a live panel discussion on the power of inclusive mindsets on June 2nd. Attitudes account for some of the greatest barriers faced by people with disabilities on a daily basis.
When we challenge our assumptions of what disability is, and begin to uncover our unconscious biases, we set in motion the steps needed to create lasting change and a truly inclusive society for people of all ages and abilities.
Attend this live panel to learn how you can confront attitudinal barriers and challenge perceptions in order to work towards an inclusive mindset.
Panelists
• Yvonne Felix (they/them), Inclusive Design Artist and Consultant
• Taylor Lindsey-Noel (she/her), Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker & Disability
Advocates
• Jade Pichette (they/them), Director of Programs, Pride at Work
• Ryan Straschnitzki (he/him), Former Humboldt Bronco, Team Alberta para-ice hockey member, and Founder of Straz Strong Foundation
Moderator
• Matthew Shaw (he/him), Accessibility Content Lead, RHF Accessibility Certification
ASL interpretation and live captioning will be provided.
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Join the #NAAWChallenge
Also, remember to join the #NAAWChallenge! Share a video or post on Facebook or Instagram that recognizes someone with a disability who has made a positive impact on you or their community. Challenge that person to do the same for another, using the #NAAWChallenge hashtag to join in the chain of recognition. Spread some positivity and celebrate people with disabilities!
Learn more about all the ways you can celebrate National AccessAbility Week on their dedicated webpage.
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Save the Date for Our 2023 Charity Golf Classic! |
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We Are Hiring and We Need Your Help! |
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Career Compass Employer Referral Program |
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Art in the Park 2023 will take place on June 3rd and 4th. Tickets can be purchased in advance online for $7 or at the door for $8. Children under 12 can enter for free. The event will be held at Willistead Park in Walkerville. This is one of the largest outdoor arts and crafts shows in Ontario. Visitors can explore booths showcasing various creations, enjoy food from local restaurants, and relax with local wine and beer while listening to talented musicians. The event supports the restoration of Willistead Manor and charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918). Free shuttle services will be available from designated parking lots.
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Amherstburg Community Services and the Town of Amherstburg are proud to announce the 2023 Active Aging 2-day Expo at the Libro Credit Union Centre located at 3295 Meloche Rd., Amherstburg. There will be two days of fun, socialization and interactive events at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg and it is all FREE!
For more information, please contact:
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Peggy Thompson - ACS
Phone (519) 736-5471
p.thompson@amherstburg-cs.com
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Trese MacNeil - Recreation Manager
(519) 736-5712
tmacneil@amherstburg.ca
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It’s that time of the year again! The Interact club of LaSalle will be hosting their annual movie night on Friday, June 2nd presenting the Disney classic “Rataouille” at the Town of Lasalle Event Center, located at 970 Front Road. The movie will start at 9:30pm. There will be lots of fun activities including face painting, blow up carnival games, crafts, a photo booth and so much more!
In lieu of an admission fee, monetary donations will be collected for LaSalle Hangout For Youth.
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Transform wallpaper or construction paper remnants into floating flowers.
Supplies:
- Scrap wallpaper or colourful construction paper
- Hot glue
- Optional: Printer for template, push pins for a more secure hold
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Spring Has Arrived!
Join Sandra Ellis for a Watercolour Workshop Sunday, May 28th at the Gibson Gallery, located at 140 Richmond St. Amherstburg from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. All materials needed will be supplied. All skill levels are welcome. Fee is $45 for non members or $36 for gallery members.
Have fun and leave with your own work of art!
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Full Swing
Love golf? Get a behind the scenes look at your favourite players and the tournaments they play in. This documentary series follows a diverse group of professional golfers — on and off the course — during a tough season of competition. The series is now streaming on Netflix.
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Spring Vegetable Soup
This week's recipe is Spring Vegetable Soup from The Toasty Kitchen. This soup is made from scratch and packed with fresh seasonal ingredients like cannellini beans, leeks, basil, asparagus, carrots, and peas. Of course, you can substitute any of these for your favourtie veggies and make it your own!
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Laughter is the Best Medicine |
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Which mythical creature would make the best pet?
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How are you going to celebrate this Victoria Day long weekend?
Set off fireworks ~ 2%
BBQ with friends and family ~ 11%
Go to the cottage ~ 2%
Stay home and relax ~ 54%
I have to work ~ 18%
Other ~ 13%
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