October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month | NDEAM, or National Disability Employment Awareness Month, is an annual October celebration that recognizes the valuable contributions of people with disabilities to businesses and communities. The initiative aims to raise knowledge, awareness, and understanding of disability to dismantle barriers, stereotypes, and misconceptions. This year, Canadian landmarks and businesses will light up in purple and blue to commemorate this important cause, fostering inclusivity and support for individuals with disabilities across the nation. This month, Community Living Essex County and our Employment Services, Career Compass, are encouraging everyone to participate in their own way! You can wear purple and blue, decorate your house or workplace in purple and blue, bake purple and blue treats or display purple and blue balloons outside! Submit your photos using the link below and we will share them on our social media channels this month. | |
Janine and Brianna had a great morning in the kitchen, baking a Thanksgiving apple pie to share with their housemates after their holiday meal. Janine and Brianna were thrilled with how it turned out and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. | |
Recently, Kevin and Scott went apple picking at Wagner's Orchards. They were thrilled to take a picture by the big tractor and enjoyed seeing some farm animals. They were excited to make an apple pie for their Thanksgiving dinner. | |
On Saturday, Clayton visited Twenty-Two Coffee House for a delightful lunch on the patio. He enjoyed a turkey melt sandwich paired with a refreshing lemonade, soaking in the perfect fall day. | |
Darcy went to Deb & John's McGregor Veggie Stand to find the perfect pumpkin. Halloween is one of his favorite times of the year, and it has become a cherished tradition for him to choose his pumpkin from their stand each year. | |
Karl attended a sensory-friendly skate at the Atlas Tube Centre on Monday. He had a great time enjoying the calm atmosphere. His housemate would like to join him the next time he goes, excited to experience the fun together. They both love skating and are looking forward to making it a regular outing. | |
Max took a long, relaxing walk along Windsor Riverfront Trail, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful views. He admired the colorful autumn leaves and the peaceful surroundings. The trail was busy with other walkers and cyclists, all taking advantage of the lovely day. | |
Derek has been fascinated by the construction of the new Gordie Howe Bridge and often drives by to watch its progress. When Kelly from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority saw his enthusiasm on Facebook, he reached out to give Derek some promotional items. Recently, while walking at the Malden Park Observation area, Derek received a "Swag Bag" from the International Gordie Howe Bridge Corporation, which included a hat and T-shirt. He expressed his gratitude, saying, "That was so nice of them!" The gift made his day, and he shared his excitement about traveling across the bridge to Detroit when it opens in 2025. | |
Pictured left to right: Joshua, Lenore, Caiden, Lucy, Karen, Cynthia | |
Earlier this week, Community Living Essex County was thrilled to receive a generous $10,000 donation from the Golden Links Club. The cheque was presented by Josh Palmer, alongside his mother Lenore and his niece and nephew, Caiden and Lucy. Josh’s family is involved with the local United Church, where they have a connection with a member of the Golden Links Club. Thanks to this special relationship, our organization was selected to benefit from this wonderful donation. | |
Jingle Bell Run, Walk, & Wheel - Registration Now Open! | |
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JOIN US SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10
AT KEN KNAPP FORD IN ESSEX!
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Join us on Sunday, November 10, at Ken Knapp Ford in Essex for the 30th anniversary of the Jingle Bell Run, Walk & Wheel! This festive event supports Community Living Essex County and offers a variety of options: a 2km or 5km walk/run, and a Little Elf Run for kids 6 and under.
Participants receive a commemorative medal and a 30th-anniversary sweatshirt. You can join individually or as part of a team, and festive attire is encouraged!
Entry Fees:
- Adults: $40
- Ages 7-13: $25
- Little Elf Run: FREE (starts at 9:45 am)
Registration Deadlines:
- Online: Until 4 pm on Nov. 5
- In-person: Until 4:30 pm on Nov. 5 at Ken Knapp Ford
- Race Day: 8 am to 9:30 am (No timed results for late entries)
Race Kit Pick-Up:
- November 8 & 9: 10 am to 4 pm
- Race Day: 8 am to 9:30 am
Support a great cause even if you can't participate—donate to Community Living Essex County! Prizes will be awarded for the highest pledge amounts. No pets allowed (only working service dogs). A special thank you to Ken Knapp Ford in Essex for their ongoing support of this inclusive community fundraising event!
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Click the link below to register for the Jingle Bell Run, Walk, & Wheel. | |
Prize awarded for top pledge amount! Click the link below to download pledge form. | |
Click the link below to donate to Community Living Essex County. | |
RUBY - Personal Safety and Assault Prevention Workshop | |
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Community Living Essex County is offering a free virtual workshop designed for teens and young women with intellectual disabilities. This 4-session workshop will cover crucial topics such as personal boundaries, self-respect, healthy relationships, and recognizing different types of assault and violence. The workshop is open to women aged 16 and up. There are 8 spots available, so be sure to register early. Registration ends on October 31st. To sign up, click the flyer or the button below to register on My Community Hub.
Please contact Lisa Wallace at lisaw@communitylivingessex.org if you have any questions.
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Community Integration Through Cooperative Education Information Session | |
St. Clair College will host an information session for those interested in attending the Community Integration Through Cooperative Education (CICE) program in September 2025. This session will take place on Wednesday, November 6th, at 6:00 p.m. The CICE program aims to provide individuals with developmental disabilities and significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life, pursue postsecondary education, and develop skills for future employment or volunteer work. Click the link below to register for the information session. | |
The WEFN and the Enhancing Support for Education Committee have launched an Inclusive Educator Award, allowing students and their families to nominate educators at their schools for recognition as the Inclusive Educator of the Month. Nominations will be accepted until the 21st of each month, after which they will be anonymized for review by the Enhancing for Education Committee. The selected winner will receive a gift bag, along with a gift for the nominating student. WEFN encourages ongoing nominations throughout the year and invites agencies to donate items for the winners. Additionally, WEFN is promoting inclusivity through a fundraiser featuring a set of board books titled "Lovely as Can Be," created by an author with a physical disability. These books aim to spread awareness of diversity and inclusion in various community settings. Orders for the books can be placed through the WEFN website, and they make great holiday gifts for young families. | |
As New Day prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, they have updated their logo to a more modern design. Along with the new logo comes new merchandise, including t-shirts now available for $20. Those interested in purchasing a t-shirt can email newday@communitylivingessex.org to arrange payment and pickup. |  |  | |
As a family support group, ENSEMBLE is made up of family members just like you. We are all navigating lives that include children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The committee shares many special qualities you may not be aware of. Did you know that ALL Ensemble committee members are VOLUNTEERS? As well as providing support and structure at home, working outside the home and raising community awareness about the lives of those with intellectual disabilities, these family members commit to giving freely of their limited available time. How? As volunteers on the Ensemble committee.
This is not the only place these family members volunteer. With access to available support workers and with careful time management they volunteer in community events.
As the holiday season fast approaches Devonshire Mall is gearing up for the onslaught of frenzied holiday shoppers. All these gifts need to be wrapped. Gift wrapping is often a dreaded activity. Devonshire Mall is well aware of shoppers’ needs. Each holiday season they provide a designated gift wrapping station. All wrapping money received is given to the featured charitable organization.
For many years Community Living Essex County has enthusiastically offered their gift wrapping expertise. Ensemble Committee volunteers are once again giving back to the community by participating.
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Won’t you consider joining Ensemble as we wrap for charity? You can be there for as little or as long as is possible. This fun event raises money that will directly impact your family. Services available will be enhanced by these monies. The BEST part? LOTS OF POSITIVE ENERGY and LAUGHTER! 😂
We want to invite YOU to join the Ensemble volunteers to help us raise much needed money and to raise awareness of the value of Community Living Essex County.
Please contact Marilyn at Mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com to sign up to be an Ensemble gift wrapper. There’s no better way to raise your spirits and to get into the holiday mood!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Marilyn
Ensemble Family Consultant and the Advisory Committee
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Career Compass Employer Referral Program | |
Order Your CLEC Merchandise Today! | |
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 the code EMPLOYEE and include your employee number when placing your order. We've recently restocked many items that were previously sold out! | |
Upcoming DSO Virtual Presentations | |
Developmental Services Ontario will be hosting a free virtual presentation about the eCLAIM process on Thursday, October 24th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This presentation will focus on how to use eCLAIM to submit invoices and receipts and receive reimbursements quickly. There will also be a question period where participants can get answers in real-time about any part of the eCLAIM process. Click the button below to register. | |
Join DSO Housing Navigators on Monday, October 28th, for a virtual presentation on Additional Dwelling Units and Tiny Homes. The presentation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will cover the benefits of tiny homes, types of additional dwellings, placement options, planning considerations, and manufactured homes. If you would like to attend, please click the link below to register. | |
Family Support Network Workshop: Trauma Informed Care | The Family Support Network is hosting a free 2-week, in-person workshop for caregivers on the topic of Trauma Informed Care. This workshop will teach caregivers the importance of recognizing signs and symptoms of trauma and the effect trauma has on mental health. Attendees will learn how to promote healing, resiliency, and coping skills in those they provide care for. Registration is required by October 21st. Snacks and beverages will be provided. If you are interested, please call 519-352-1147 ext. 250 or email njansen@clc-k.ca to register. | |
Download the Tourism Windsor-Essex & Pelee Island Fall Event Guide to discover the most exciting and enjoyable fall events in Windsor Essex this season. Use it as your checklist to explore attractions and activities that capture the essence of fall before the holiday season arrives! Click the link below to view the guide and start enjoying all that the #YQG has to offer! | |
Get ready for a thrilling Halloween season in Windsor Essex! The Halloween Guide is the ultimate resource for finding the best haunted attractions, eerie events, and family-friendly activities throughout the region. Explore all the must-see sights and spine-tingling experiences this Halloween! Click the button below to access the Halloween Event Guide. | |
Kingsville Migration Festival | |
The 55th annual Migration Festival will take place from Thursday, October 17th to Sunday, October 20th in Kingsville, celebrating migration, heritage, nature conservation, and the legacy of Jack Miner. The Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary will host various activities throughout the weekend, inviting the community to participate in the festivities. Additionally, free transportation to Migration Festival events is available for those with mobility challenges, courtesy of Patterson Medical Transportation; rides can be booked by emailing info@pattersontaxi.com or calling (226) 777-9105. Click the link below to visit the event website. | |
Free Outdoor Film Screening: Out in the Ring | |
WindsorEats staff member Jamie Greer recently launched a book about the history of wrestling in Windsor, and the WindsorEats is excited to host his upcoming local book signing. This event will also feature the Windsor premiere of the 2022 documentary Out In The Ring, which highlights the history of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in professional wrestling, including Windsor's own Sandy Parker. The free screening will take place on Thursday, October 17th, at the WindsorEats Food Hall, where donations will be collected for a local 2SLGBTQIA+ charity. Attendees can purchase Jamie's book for a special price of $40, featuring stories about Sandy Parker and other notable 2SLGBTQIA+ figures like “The One and Only” Jaime D and Gisele Shaw. Click the link below to visit the event website and learn more. | |
Literary Arts Windsor is excited to announce the return of BookFest, a cherished cultural tradition for book lovers and writers alike. The event will take place at the Armouries in downtown Windsor on October 18th and 19th. Past participants have included local authors like C.M. Forest and Brenda Lee Wright McCurdy, along with notable writers such as Jan Conn and Gary Borwin. Click the link below to visit the event website. | |
Belle River Stroll the Street | |
The Stroll The Street event will be taking place in Belle River on Friday, October 18th. This is an upbeat event designed for all ages, bringing people and local businesses together for a fun-filled experience of food, activities, shopping, and entertainment in a safe environment. It offers a wonderful opportunity for attendees to slow down, connect with friends and family, and enjoy everything Belle River has to offer. The organizers look forward to seeing a bustling street filled with vendors and happy participants. For any questions or concerns, attendees can reach out via email at info@belleriverbia.com. | |
Art at the oTENTiks is a two-day event, taking place from Saturday, October 19th, to Sunday, October 20th, featuring artists and artisans who will be demonstrating their craft and selling their goods. Admission for the general public is included with park admission. Artists will be “in-residence” at an oTENTik site or set up in a tent in the marketplace space. Click the link below to visit the event website. | |
This Saturday, October 19th, Downtown Windsor will transform into a zombie haven for a spooktacular evening of fun. Participants are invited to dress up and showcase their best zombie walk as they march down Ouellette Avenue, whether they come alone or in groups. The main event, a Zombie Parade, begins at 6:00 p.m., inviting all to walk (or shuffle) along the avenue. To keep the festivities going, an after-party will be held at Villains, with details to be announced soon. Click the button below to visit the event website. | |
Stretching at the Stables Fundraiser | |
Join the community for the Stretching at the Stables Yoga Fundraiser, taking place at the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association on Friday, October 25th, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This inclusive event, open to everyone, costs $15 and features adaptive and modified yoga accessible to all. Please bring your own yoga mat if you plan to practice on the ground. Tickets will be available at the door. Cash payments only. Receipts can be provided. The event will go on rain or shine. | |
This bacon and potato soup is a comforting, hearty dish that's perfect for the colder days ahead. Crispy bacon pairs with tender Yukon Gold potatoes, melted cheddar, and a touch of sour cream, creating a balanced blend of textures and flavors. The soup is thick, but you can adjust it to your preference, making it as chunky or smooth as you like. Ideal for a cozy night in, this easy, crowd-pleasing recipe feels indulgent without being complicated. Click the button below for the recipe. | |
When it comes to Halloween centrepieces, nothing compares to the ghoulish glamour of these decorative light-up candles. These candles are made using upcycled pool noodles and tealights, making them perfect for any patio setup or impromptu haunted house. Click the link below to view tutorial. | |
| Which of the following fictional movie characters do you find most frightening? | | | |
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Which of these side dishes would make or break Thanksgiving dinner?
Stuffing - 35.8%
Mashed Potatoes - 22.6%
Cranberry Sauce - 13.2%
Gravy - 11.3%
Sweet Potato Casserole - 9.4%
Cornbread - 7.5%
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