Today is the day, LightItUpForNDEAM! Light It Up! For NDEAM takes place on the third Thursday of October. Over 300 locations across the country will be lighting up purple and blue. Businesses, landmarks, community, and public spaces are joining us to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM's purpose is to champion inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, all while celebrating their valuable contributions to the workplace. Let's proudly wear the colour purple today, unite our efforts to raise awareness, ignite those essential conversations, and celebrate inspiring success stories like the ones below!

Meet Natalie! Natalie recently received a $50 Amazon gift card for referring an employer. The employer she referred was very interested in learning more about our employment supports, Career Compass. The Career Compass team connected with the employer and they were very open to hiring a person we provide employment supports to. The person was hired and is working successfully! Refer an employer and if that employer hires, receive a gift card of your choice! BE LIKE NATALIE and click the link below to refer an employer!

Be sure to follow Career Compass on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to watch for more exciting announcements!

Join us at Crafty Nest Studio in Kingsville and escape your daily responsibilities. You will be provided with expert direction and all materials needed. Materials include a wood sign, your choice of artificial greenery, and a ribbon for a beautiful bow. Your door hanger can be as wild as your imagination. What special message and season will you highlight? The final product is up to you. Did we mention that ALL NEEDED MATERIALS ARE FREE?

Unwind in a creative space with other families who share similar life circumstances, and also seize the opportunity to form new connections that may lead to lasting friendships. Socializing in a neutral space, we can share ideas that encourage us to continually search for and access resources that will enhance the lives of our entire family. By staying connected, you remain the director of your life. You know best what your family needs. Share these ideas with others in order to explore available community resources. If you don’t make your voice heard, are you giving your family member with intellectual disabilities the best chance to achieve a life of possibilities?

Ensemble is committed to bringing families together. As the caregiver of an adult with intellectual disabilities YOU are a critical community resource. Without your contributions, daily lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, would not have supports needed. Make your voice heard!

If you are an unpaid caregiver of an adult with intellectual disabilities who lives at home, please join us ~ Saturday November 25^th at 1 pm at the Crafty Nest Studio ~

PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited available spaces, EARLY registration is required and ONLY 1 family member from each family can attend. To register, please contact Marilyn via email at mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com.

Best regards,

mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com or 519-776-6483, ext. 225

Register today for the Jingle Bell Walk, Run & Wheel! The Jingle Bell Run, Walk & Wheel is an annual event hosted by Ken Knapp Ford in beautiful downtown Essex in support of Community Living Essex County.

Check out the latest offerings in our Community Living Essex County store! CLEC employees have the option of paying for items via Employee Payroll Deduction. Simply use code EMPLOYEE and include your employee number when placing your order. 

As the spooktacular holiday draws near, it's a time filled with anticipation and excitement. Yet, for some, it can also trigger eco-anxiety. According to a study by environmental group Hubbub, 83% of Halloween costumes are made using non-recyclable oil-based plastics; meaning they are set for landfills. That means, for just one day of use, close to 4,000,000 pounds of plastic waste is generated – which equates to 83 million plastic bottles being thrown away. And let's not forget the millions of discarded candy wrappers!

DIY Decorations: Get creative by crafting your own decorations from recyclable materials or items you have at home.

Reduce Energy Use: Use LED or solar-powered lights for your decorations and jack-o'-lanterns to minimize energy consumption.

Donate Unused Decorations: Share your old decorations with others or donate them to secondhand stores instead of discarding them.

Eco-Friendly or Repurposed Costumes: Create costumes using sustainable materials, thrift store finds, or items you already own.

Green Transportation: Carpool or use public transportation when going trick-or-treating or to Halloween events with friends to reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

Celebrate the 54^th annual Migration Fall Festival from Thursday, October 19^th, to Sunday, October 22^nd, in Kingsville. This festival honours migration, heritage, nature conservation, and Jack Miner. The event parade takes place on Saturday, October 21^st, at 10 am in Downtown Kingsville, followed by children's activities and activities at Jack Miner's Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Explore unique gifts and crafts at the Migration Fall Festival Marketplace on the same day, and historic bike tours on Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. Enjoy this festival of migration, heritage, and nature – all while supporting local vendors and celebrating the harvest season. Click the link below for more details.

Experience We Walk The Line, a Johnny Cash tribute, on Saturday, October 21^st, at 7:30 pm at Windsor's Chrysler Theatre. Enjoy many of Cash's classic hit songs while Ward Cornforth, who plays Johnny Cash, adds historical insights and personal anecdotes that create an unforgettable musical event. Tickets range from $40 to $55 plus taxes and fees. Get ready for a toe-tapping night celebrating The Man In Black and his music! Click the link below or call 519-252-6579 for more information.

On Saturday, October 21^st, from 11 am to 12 pm, explore the history of Downtown Windsor with an informative walking tour led by Museum Windsor staff. This tour, centered around the Capitol Theatre and François Baby House, offers fascinating insights into the area's past. Admission is $5.50 per person, advance registration is required. Visit the Chimczuk Museum at 401 Riverside Drive West or call 519-253-1812 to make your reservation and delve into Windsor's rich history at the Maison Francois Baby House.

WFCU is hosting a vendor and craft show on Saturday, October 21^st from 10 am to 2 pm. Each vendor will have goodies for the kids while you shop local. With over 40 vendors to browse and a convenient concession stand, there's something for everyone. For more details, check out the Facebook event page linked below.

Don't miss the opportunity to shop and enjoy some treats Saturday, October 21^st, from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Paul Anglican Church. Explore a variety of vendors, savour baked goods, browse books, and grab a delicious lunch. It's a perfect weekend outing for shopping and enjoying tasty delights. Click the link below for more information.

Our Throwback Thursday journey is gaining momentum! Last week, we shared our first snapshot that took us back in time. This group below is another look at our past and the wonderful friendships that have shaped our lives. Don't forget to check out our weekly newsletter for more cherished moments and exciting surprises in the coming weeks.

Do you decorate for Halloween?

Yes ~ 53%

No ~ 32%

Sometimes ~ 15%