Funds Raised Through Giving Tuesday Puts iPads In The Hands of People We Support

Thanks to the generous support of individuals and businesses in our community we raised a total of $12,000 through our December 2020 Giving Tuesday campaign. These funds have been used to purchase 21 iPads for people with intellectual disabilities to use for learning, shopping, virtual supports, and connecting with family and friends. We want to recognize and thank our matching sponsor, Libro Credit Union in Essex County. Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors, as well as everyone who helped us spread the word about our campaign! Look for upcoming stories about the impact these devices are having in the lives of recipients.

WEVax Vaccination Awareness Campaign Launched

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, City of Windsor, County of Essex, Windsor Regional Hospital and Erie Shores HealthCare want to ensure you know where to turn for the latest information as vaccination opportunities become available to different groups in our region. Click the button below to read their press release for additional information.

Click Here For the News Release

Community Living Ontario Offering a FREE Inclusive Education Online Training Course

Community Living Ontario is offering a free 7 week online course for families, in partnership with Genia Stephen (starting on April 25th). This is a comprehensive training on inclusive education, meant to support families in engaging with all aspects of the school system. To register please email [email protected].

Honouring the Caregiver

National Caregiver Day was recognized on April 6th, and we at Ensemble want to acknowledge all caregivers and let you know that we are here for you!  Caregiving can include caring for aging parents, ill partners, young children at home, as well as caring for someone with an intellectual disability. It is refreshing to see the often unnoticed work done by caregivers being recognized.   This past year the COVID-19 pandemic has really brought caregiving to the forefront, highlighting just how many Canadians care for a loved one in their life. Hopefully, with the wider recognition of caregiving, we will see more supports for caregivers as well. We are truly all in this together. Follow the link below for National Caregiver Day – Recognizing Caring Canadians. Kelly Runalls, Parent Consultant Ensemble, [email protected] or 519-776-6483, ext. 225

Click Here for Recognizing Caring Canadians

Membership - Join Us!

Membership Benefits Include: Voting rights Invitation to virtual AGM Electronic Communications Closer Look mailer Annual report I'm All INclusion window cling (corporate members) I'm All Inclusion accessory (individual members) Membership card Do you believe in inclusion? Join us today!

Click Here For Online Application

Click Here for Printable Application

Free Musical Performance Presented by FanFare Music Entertainment & Community Living Toronto

This Friday, Fanfare Music Entertainment is offering a one-hour musical performance for adults with an intellectual disability. This free event will take place on Facebook, from 12:30 to 1:30PM. The show is sponsored by Community Living Toronto and it's free for anyone to watch and enjoy. Simply follow the link below at 12:30PM on Friday and enjoy!

Visit This Link on Friday for the Performance

Powerful Tools For Caregivers Virtual Workshop

Click Here to Register

Free Therapeutic Art Workshop

Saturday at 11:00 am Sarah Serrano-Esquilin is a Brooklyn based artist, educator holding a license in Special Education, and a recent Master’s graduate at Pratt Institute in Creative Arts Therapy. She has been creating art and writing poetry for the last 6 years, and has worked with celebrities, brands, and galleries. Sarah believes in the therapeutic benefits of art and making it accessible to all.

Click Here to Register

Starburst Wreath From Paper Straws

Starbursts often come with a mirror in the center, and they look especially good above a bed or a dresser. You could even glue a round mirror in the center of this wreath if you wanted! Paper straws come in many different colors and designs, so you can mix this up and create whatever look you want to match your decor! Supplies for Straw Starburst Wreath Bamboo paper straws (about 60 straws) 12″ wood craft ring Hot glue Scissors Ruler

Step 1: Divide into quadrants Add a straw to each quadrant of the wood craft ring with hot glue.

Step 2: Divide into eight sections Add another straw in the middle of each of the four quadrants, eyeballing it so that they are spaced equally. Step 3: Space out straws Continue adding straws, spaced equally between the previous straws until you have covered the wreath form with 32 straws. Step 4: Cut smaller straws Cut smaller straws to fill in the remaining gaps. I cut a variety of straws 6.5″ inches long and some 5″ long. Step 5: Fill in all gaps Add a 5″ straw and a 6.5″ straw between each of the full length straws. Continue until you have filled the entire wreath.

Recipe of the Week

Pasta e Fagioli This classic Italian soup of beans and short pasta with tomatoes and vegetables is a classic favourite.

Click Here For Recipe

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Weekly Poll Question

What month is Community Living Month in Ontario? June Select February Select May Select September Select

Poll Results What is your favourite Easter treat? Peeps ~ 7% Mini Eggs ~ 60.5% Cadbury Creme Eggs ~16.3% Jelly Beans ~ 16.3%

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