Summer is Just Around the Corner!
We've been lucky to have beautiful, sunny weather over the last few days and it looks like it is here to stay! Nick recently enjoyed the warmer weather by spending some time exploring the Belle River waterfront. We hope you take some time to get outside and enjoy the summer-like weather this weekend!
Essex County Lights It Up Blue and Green for Community Living Month!
Thank you to Joe Meloche Ford for lighting up their dealership blue and green! Our main office in Essex is also lit up blue and green this month! Check out the photo below! We'll be sharing photos of people and businesses supporting Community Living Month all month long!
Ray and Beth Renaud also decorated their house with blue and green streamers and balloons, both inside and outside! It looks great! If you have photos celebrating Community Living Month that you'd like us to share, please send them to nkristy@communitylivingessex.org.
Ensemble: A Resource for Families
Ensemble is a parent-directed resource for families caring for a child with a disability that provides support from birth through adulthood. The name, Ensemble, is French for “together” and was chosen for the strength and resiliency found in the connections built between families and within the community.
 
Ensemble inspires possibilities for children by promoting family leadership so that families thrive and become active members in the community.
 
Ensemble was founded in 2000 by two moms whose lives have been affected by their children’s diagnosis of a disability. These moms understood the importance of connecting to others as the first step in helping families cope with the challenges of raising a child with a disability.

Marilyn and the Ensemble Committee
Call or email Ensemble
ensemble@communitylivingessex.org or 519-776-6483, ext 225
Last Chance to Order Your Tickets for the
Early Bird Draw!
We want you to start your summer off right!

Our early bird draw for a cash prize of $750 takes place on Wednesday, May 18th!
 
The weather is warming up and summer is just around the corner! Check out these awesome prizes that will get your backyard in tip top shape!

All proceeds from our Backyard Makeover Raffle will help us support our Career Compass Youth in Action Summer Employment Program.

You could win:
 
Grand Prize (Value $5,500)
  • Landscaping
  • Summer/winter fertilization, fall aerating, all summer grass cutting,
  • Voucher for trees, plants, shrubs
 
2nd Prize (Value $1,500)
  • Fire Table -5000 BTU
  • Gas BBQ + $300 gift card Schinkel’s Meat Market

3rd Prize (Value $1,000)
  • $1,000 in gift cards
 
Early Bird Prize
  • $750 cash
 
CLEC employees can use code CLECEMPLOYEE to purchase their tickets via payroll deduction. This deduction will come off of an upcoming pay cheque, depending on ticket purchase date.

Please note: Purchaser must be 18 years or older to play and must be in the province of Ontario at the time of purchase. Anyone may purchase tickets, however only residents of Windsor and Essex County, including Comber and Tilbury are eligible for the landscaping services outlined in the Grand Prize due to geographic restrictions.  
Join Us!
Become a Member Today!
Our members play a critical role in influencing and supporting the priority work of the agency. It is important that our membership includes all people, families, and businesses who have a vested interest in the work of Community Living Essex County and reflects the diversity of the people we support and their families.

Community Living Essex County Members share, support, and enable our mission supporting people with an intellectual disability to achieve their goals and dreams; empowering them to flourish as full citizens who are valued in their community.

We need your help to grow our membership to 200 strong in 2022! Share this with friends, family members and coworkers who 'Believe in Inclusion' and invite them to Join Us! Join before May 23rd to vote at this years Annual General Meeting! Click the button below to become a member today!
Charity Golf Classic Returns for 2022!
Join us on Thursday, July 14 as we return to the links and celebrate our 30th Annual Charity Golf Classic at one of Essex County’s finest golf courses, Sutton Creek Golf Club in Essex. For the past 29 years, Community Living Essex County has played host to our annual Charity Golf Classic. All proceeds from the Community Living Essex County Charity Golf Classic are directed towards supports and services available to more than 700 people with an intellectual disability and their families throughout Essex County.

Book your tee off time today and see you on the links! Register at the link below.
WE Connect Kids - Connecting Children & Families to Local Mental Health & Addiction Care
To enhance awareness and access to mental health and addiction services for children, youth and their families, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), together with its partners have introduced a new program to help children, youth and their families connect with local mental health and addictions services that best meet their needs.

WEConnectKids is free, confidential and can be accessed by children and youth themselves up to age 18 or by parents and/or caregivers by:

  • Calling 519-257-KIDS (5437), Monday to Thursday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm and Fridays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • By walk-in at HDGH Regional Children’s Centre (RCC) Counselling Clinic, 3901 Connaught Street, Windsor, Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm and Fridays 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto FREE Virtual Film Screening + Panel Discussion
Join ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto and Community Living Ontario for a free virtual film screening and panel discussion featuring young adults with disabilities and their experiences with relationships. Registrants will get links to watch the films Signs and Gestures, Illustrating Sam Newton, and Freebird.

The panel on Friday, May 20 from 11 am – 12 pm will address the topic of healthy relationships. The panel will be moderated by Deanna Djos, sexual health promoter, from 'The Relationship Group Toronto'. Panelists will include Laurie Woloshyn , Nicholas Herd, and Community Living Ontario Council member Nicole Flynn.

The panelists will address the topic of healthy relationships: What do they look like? Feel like? Where do we find them? Do movies accurately portray healthy relationships?

Recommended for ages 18 and older.
Miracle Park Opening Day
The Miracle League of Riverside Baseball and The Farrow Miracle Park will soon celebrate Opening Day! On Saturday, May 14th at 11:00 am join for a celebration of the park, followed at noon by the Inaugural Miracle League of Riverside Baseball Games.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join this amazing day. The park is located at 6749 Wyandotte Street East, Windsor. The ceremony will begin at the park at 11:00 am followed by games at 12:00 pm.
Windsor Essex Staycation Expo
Visit Devonshire Mall on May 12th through the 14th as they kick off the tourism season in #YQG! It’s the ultimate source to learn about great things to do in your own backyard this summer!

Check out 40+ vendors, taste some EPIC Wineries, sample craft brews and spirits from Barrel Bottles & Brews Trail, and explore the event for your chance to win $500 in Devonshire Mall gift cards.
International Museum Day
To celebrate International Museum Day, the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village is offering free admission all day!

Wednesday, May 18th from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.
6155 Arner Townline, Kingsville
Hapazome
Japanese Art of Leaf Bashing
Try hapazome, a Japanese craft that uses leaves and fabric to create nature-themed art! This craft requires a hammer, a piece of cotton material, flowers and leaves.
Positive Thoughts
Must See Movies
Cruella
Set in London during the punk rock movement of the 1970s, the film revolves around Estella Miller, an aspiring fashion designer, as she explores the path that will lead her to become a notorious up-and-coming fashion designer known as Cruella de Vil. Now streaming on Disney+.
Recipe of the Week
Garlic Asparagus with Lime
Asparagus season is full swing so enjoy every minute of it. This fresh tasting asparagus dish is always popular. Try it with Havarti or Swiss cheese melted on top.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Weekly Poll Question
May is full of quirky "National Days". Which one is not one of them?
National Candied Orange Peel Day
National Alphabet Magnet Day
National Lost Sock Memorial Day
National No Dirty Dishes Day
National Caviar Day
Poll Results
May 8th is National have a Coke Day. What is your go to soda?
Coke ~ 36.4%
Ginger ale ~ 15.9%
Orange ~ 4.5%
Root beer ~ 11.4%
I only drink water ~ 31.8%