Enjoying the Windsor Express Game! |
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Konnor enjoyed watching the Windsor Express win against Flint United during Sunday's basketball game. Way to go Windsor Express! |
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Board of Directors Profile - Brianne Taggart |
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Introducing Brianne Taggart
- Director since June 2021
- Artist
Brianne owns her own business called Brianne's Art Creations & Photography and she teaches painting classes every month for Virtual Supports. She is currently the President on the Executive Board of New Day. She is involved in many things such as KARE training, the Staying Connected Network, Speaking Out Conference, Accessibility Committee, Ruthven Apple Fest Committee, the Art Society of Kingsville and more.
Brianne's joy is helping others and advocating for people that don't have a voice. Speaking up for what is important to our lives is very rewarding. She wants to be a good role model for others.
Last October Brianne received The Kim Sparling Award from Community Living Ontario. To be honoured with this is an amazing achievement and in 2019 she received Outstanding Achievement Award from Community Living Essex County. She is very proud of this.
In her spare time Brianne loves nature walks, sunflowers, birding, attending concerts and paint nights. She loves giving back to her community as the community helps her a lot.
Being included in all of these things is really important. Inclusion matters!
Some quick facts about Brianne
- Brianne's motto is 'live your best life'.
- She loves Chinese food.
- Her New Year’s resolution is to be more patient.
- She just finished reading Healing Places of Kingsville and Leamington by her friend Miklos Galata. Brianne recommends this book for people who love nature and photography. You can purchase this book on Amazon.
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On Saturday February 25th, Ensemble held their third Caregiver Appreciation event at Oxley Holy Family Retreat. Caregivers enjoyed a catered lunch and guest speaker, while some attendees opted for the guest speaker portion only.
As families socialized, life circumstances were shared and creative solutions were discussed. In the company of others who live the life there was open and honest communication.
It was made very clear that families need opportunities to enjoy social gatherings where connections can be created that can lead to life changing outcomes. An afternoon away is necessary and essential. A few hours away re-energizes everyone.
Our motivational speaker Danielle Campeau-McLeod was the icing on the cake! Her journey through life re-emphasized caregivers’ need to constantly remain resilient. Life will take us on a journey of twists and turns and of extreme highs and lows. Our task as caregivers is to always search for the positive, to embrace the life we live, and to resiliently move on to the next challenge. Each day may not be the day we anticipated, but always looking forward with open eyes and an open mind we can be assured that WE CAN DO IT! There are opportunities ahead that will give our family member with intellectual disabilities the best possible chance to live a life of possibilities.
New family connections have been made at Ensemble’s caregiver events. It is the hope of Ensemble that our new family connections will allow us to connect with other families. You as families know how important it is to expand your support network. We need each other.
Reach out to other families and share the positive experience you have had with Ensemble. We are here for you. We are the voice of families - parents, siblings, caregivers, support workers.
Future Caregiver appreciation events are in the planning stage. Any suggestions? Let us know.
Together - ENSEMBLE - there are no limits. WE CAN DO IT!
Marilyn, Ensemble Family Consultant and the Volunteer Committee
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March is Social Work Month |
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March 6 to 12 is Social Work Week in Ontario, and across Canada, March is National Social Work Month. This is a time to recognize the positive difference social workers make in their communities! Every day, social workers support people in navigating complex systems. They are uniquely positioned to identify and address gaps, provide important services and programs, and strengthen communities.
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Notice of Virtual AGM and Call for Nominations |
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We will be holding our Annual General Meeting virtually again this year. This year the AGM is taking place on Wednesday, June 21 beginning at 6:30 pm. The agenda will feature the year in review, presentation of several awards, election of our Board of Directors, and presentation of the audited financial statements.
Please save this date and watch for registration information in the coming months.
The attached flyer contains the AGM invitation and the Call for Nominations for the Board of Directors.
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Career Compass is Hosting an In-Person jobPath Session |
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The Career Compass team is delighted to be hosting their first in-person jobPath pre-employment session since the onset of the pandemic. We have hosted several virtual sessions and have been back in the schools for quite some time, but it sure does feel great to be able to get a small group together to learn in-person. The program typically runs for six weeks and focuses on various skills to prepare participants for employment. Although this session is small in numbers, it is full of friendly, capable, and eager participants who are excited to learn, have fun and become employment ready.
The jobPath pre-employment session is a voluntary program which allows the facilitators a chance to assess strengths and weaknesses of the participants and allows the participants to learn skills, develop good habits and provides a foundation for future employment. All three of the young men involved in this session are looking forward to becoming employed soon. Participants are pictured completing a task focused on communication.
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Will and Estate Planning Free Webcast |
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If you’re supporting a family member with a disability, one of the most important steps you can take to help secure their future is to create a will and estate plan.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- An understanding of the fundamental elements of an estate plan.
- An overview of estate planning considerations families caring for a family member with a disability must be aware of.
- An overview of what's involved in setting up a will, with steps you can take to get started.
- A breakdown of different types of trusts people typically include in a will.
- An overview of the two types of Power of Attorney
WEBCAST | March 8th at 7pm
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Looking for a New Volunteer Opportunity?
Join Us as an E-bingo Volunteer!
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The funds Community Living Essex County raises through e-bingo at Breakaway Gaming Centre in Windsor goes a long way in terms of helping the children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities who we support. Did you know that we receive minimal government funding to cover the cost of transportation for people we support to stay active and get around town to work, volunteer, or participate in leisure activities? It’s possible for us raise up to $30,000 per year from e-bingo alone. This helps purchase fuel and maintain vehicles. But we can’t do it without volunteers.
How does it work?
It’s an easy way to raise money. Breakaway Gaming awards community charities funds when two volunteers work an assigned shift.
What does an e-bingo volunteer do?
It’s a two hour shift at the Breakaway Gaming Center in Windsor where the volunteers welcome e-bingo participants, then walk around the gaming area, checking if players need anything, and keeping the gaming area neat and tidy. It may not be the most exciting volunteer opportunity, but it certainly makes a difference in the lives of people we support.
What is required of a volunteer?
A short online training course must be completed prior to volunteering. A Community Living Essex County golf shirt will be provided and dark pants and closed-toe shoes must be worn. You must provide your own transportation to the gaming centre but Community Living Essex County will provide a $25 gas card as a token of our thanks and appreciation.
Consider giving your time to help us maximize this very generous opportunity provided by Breakaway Gaming and to raise some much-needed money to help cover the cost of transportation for the people we support.
To find out more, please contact Tony DeSantis, Manager, Community Relations and Resource Development at 519-776-6483 ext 246 or tony@communitylivingessex.org.
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We Are Hiring and We Need Your Help! |
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10 Minute Breathwork and Light Meditation for Focus |
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Equal Ratio Breathing is great for calming the physical body and relaxing your nerves. You inhale, exhale and hold your breath equal parts of time. With beginner breath work, your lungs aren't as strong as those that have been practicing for a long time, start by only doing 4 second parts. If you feel that 4 seconds is too much lower it to 3! |
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Green Eggs and Ham Family Concert |
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Have you, or someone you know, ever hesitated to try something new? Join in for this fun and entertaining Dr. Seuss story of Sam, who is quite sure he doesn’t like Green Eggs and Ham! Rhyming and the musical entertainment of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra will convince us all that it’s fun to try new things, and you just might like them!
Taking place March 4th from 3:00 - 4:00 pm at Christ Church Amherstburg, 317 Ramsay Street. The cost is $5.
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Experience this sweet-tasting tradition and a celebration of natural and cultural heritage in our community with special themes to enjoy each weekend.
March is Maple Month! Celebrate with an expanded Maple Syrup Festival that spans three weekends and two locations, with a Maple Trail connecting the two sites at the John R. Park Homestead and Holiday Beach Conservation Areas.
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March is National Craft Month |
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This is a great opportunity to start up a new hobby, tell your friends and family about one that you already have, or even introduce your kids to something crafty.
Trying a new craft hobby can have many positive benefits. Trying something new can be just the distraction you need to inspire new ideas or rekindle the joy of making.
Even if you don’t think you are especially artistic, there’s never any harm in giving things a go. Maybe this month, instead of buying cards for birthdays or anniversaries, channel your inner artist and make some of your own. Making your own gifts to give to friends and family is a great idea too, and always appreciated. Remember, it’s the thought that counts!
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Locke & Key
After their father is murdered under mysterious circumstances, the three Locke siblings and their mother move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, which they discover is full of magical keys that may be connected to their father's death. Three seasons are streaming on Netflix.
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Ice Cream Kolachkes
These sweet pastries have Polish and Czech roots. They are usually filled with poppy seeds, nuts, jam or a mashed fruit mixture. The ice cream is a unique twist on traditional kolachkes, and it's simplest to use a square cookie cutter to cut the dough.
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Laughter is the Best Medicine |
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What is your favorite flower?
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What is your favourite paczki flavour?
Lemon ~ 21.7%
Strawberry ~ 6.5%
Nutella ~ 6.5%
Custard ~ 34.8%
Blueberry ~ 8.7%
Raspberry ~ 21.7%
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