Winter 2023 Newsletter

Hello Families and Friends of CLASS

We hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying your winter so far. It sure is a different one with the constant snow melting. Wiarton Willie says it's an early spring so we will see!

Follow us on social media below to see our program posts and what the people supported by CLASS are up to on a weekly basis.

Enjoy our updates below.

IT STARTS is a public awareness campaign designed to take a proactive step towards addressing racism and discrimination in Simcoe County.

IT STARTS works to promote a unified community that encourages collective action against racism and discrimination.

How to get involved

What: The #ITSTARTS campaign is a public education initiative to promote a unified community that embraces acceptance, inclusion, equity and diversity. This year's campaign is focused on action, It Starts With.

When: The campaign runs for the Month of March - CLASS has a specific campaign week which is the week of March 27th where we will be promoting and running various programs. Stay tuned for more information.

Who:  Everyone. #IT STARTS is open to everyone living/working/visiting in Simcoe County.

How:  Read more on how you can become involved in the #ITSTARTS campaign by visiting Simcoe County/ItStarts.

Drop by the CLASS Office at 233 Church St and have your photo taken with the frame. These photos will be posted on social media during the March 27th campaign week showing everyone's support.

Thank you to Dean Rodd CLASS Volunteer who came out last week as our musical guest to the CLASSic Lunchbox at the Everett Legion. Enjoy this video above of Dean signing. There was a great turnout for the Lunchbox event. Thank you to the Lunchbox Crew and staff for the delicious soups.

View the photos online by clicking on gallery at end of newsletter below or link here.

We invite the community out weekly to enjoy the CLASSic Lunchbox at the Everett Legion.

ABOUT CLASSIC LUNCHBOX

The CLASSic Lunchbox program provides an affordable meal and a gathering place for community members while providing employment skills training for people with intellectual disabilities. The employable skills learned are cooking, cleaning, money management, team work, customer relations and time management. The Everett Legion has been a big contributor to the success of this program as they provide their facilities free of charge for this weekly program. This is a profit sharing program that is divided between all that participate from grocery shopping, food prep and cooking to serving and clean up.

Read more on our website https://www.class.on.ca/social-innovation

Here is the link below to be added to the list for notifications about

future soup orders to be sure you are not missed.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/SLTdrj2/CLASSicLunchbox

#DOTHEEXCEPTIONAL is a new collaborative York Simcoe campaign. We are a collective of nine agencies that provide support services to children, adults, youth and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health challenges.

We are on a mission called Social Services Careers York Simcoe to recruit passionate, skilled talent into the social services sector who are eager to do the exceptional by making a real impact in peoples lives.

Our Agencies:

1. Camphill Communities

2. Catulpa Community Support Services

3. CLH Developmental Support Services

4. Community Living Association for South Simcoe (CLASS)

5. Community Living York South

6. Deaf Blind Ontario Services

7. E3 Community Services

8. Empower Simcoe

9. New Leaf

Discover the power of a career in social services. View the video link above.

Melissa placing the shapes on the pan ready to be baked.

Leisha cutting our dog bone shapes.

Chris cutting out shapes on fresh rolled cookie dough.

Take a look at our new CLASSy Canine Cookie dog bags! Inside you will find many fun shapes. To order yours reach out to Diane.

Below photo collage - Staff member Kim Notley's dog Rip as our mascot earning his wage in cookies! Top middle photo: Josh and Tyler in background help make cookies. Bottom middle photo: Staff member Vanita with Brandon.

Looking for any resources or books on autism? Pop by CLASS and visit our small library and sign one out.

Maple syrup season will soon be upon us so why not try baking with some.

Maple Monkey Bread courtesy

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/234756/maple-bacon-monkey-bread/

Visit our website weekly for the Zoom calendar of programs and activities. Click here.