May is Community Living Month! | |
Did you know there are currently 117 Community Living Ontario member agencies located across the province? Each of these agencies work diligently towards creating a sense of #AuthenticInclusion in their communities. With your help and continued support, we can further promote understanding, acceptance, and equal opportunities for those we support. | |
Sundaes, Smiles, and Snapshots | |
Kevin and Scott are long time friends that enjoy getting together regularly. This past week, they chose to get some ice cream from Dairy Queen and then go for a walk at Lakewood Park. They loved the dragon statue at the park and chose to take pictures next to it. | |
Marlene, Jessica, Tim, and Craig recently enjoyed the first game of Miracle League Baseball of the season! | |
Jade loves springtime! She is taking advantage of the beautiful weather and spending lots of time outside. Along with support staff, Jade stopped for a quick photo shoot in front of this vibrant canola field. | |
Janine had a delightful afternoon in Leamington at the marina. She relaxed while watching the boats go by and particularly enjoyed feeding the geese and socializing with fellow visitors. | |
Ontario Volunteer Service Awards | |
Pictured from left to right: MPP Lisa Gretzky, Diane Bourbeau, Ron Giofu, MPP Andrew Dowie. | |
Last night, Diane Bourbeau was recognized for an amazing 25 years of volunteering as a member of our Board of Directors, and Ron Giofu for 10 years of volunteering as a member of our Board of Directors at a celebration at the Ciociaro Club in Windsor. Also receiving recognition awards, but unable to attend were Michelle Mastellotto for five years as a volunteer member of our Board of Directors, Nick Mastronardi for 10 years of volunteering with the Ruthven Apple Festival and Laura Bianchi for five years volunteering with Ruthven Apple Festival. This event is a wonderful opportunity to recognize volunteers and share how important their contributions are to organizations like ours. | |
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The very warm spring weather calls us to get outside! After cold winter days spent indoors we look forward to longer, brighter and warmer days. As we venture outside we are reminded of things that must be done. Not everything is unpleasant tidying up! No matter how big or small your outdoor space may be, it can be turned into a private oasis. 💐Even an apartment balcony! It’s amazing how something as simple as a colourful planter can brighten your day.
Spring is a perfect time to introduce your family members with intellectual disabilities to the joys of gardening. Starting plants from seeds is an enjoyable experience for anyone. The bright sun and warm temps guarantee the seeds will germinate in under 2 weeks. Your children will be amazed by the rapid results. This exercise will give them a great feeling of accomplishment as they care for the seeds with daily watering; in anticipation of a plant. Marigold seeds germinate very quickly and can be transplanted. Before you know it— there are flowers🌺!
Maybe your gardener has a favourite vegetable? Why not let them select seeds and care for them before transplanting them to a bigger pot? A project that is edible! Whether they grow flowers 💐 or vegetables 🥕 they will thoroughly enjoy something that they helped to create.
Don’t forget to record the growing process. They can assist with this task too. Does anyone have a cellphone😂? Take photos of your gardener and their project. Look how quickly my daughter Sarah’s seeds germinated!
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Whether their seeds and plants receive TLC in the morning or in the evening— positive energy will be shared!
HAPPY GARDENING 🧑🌾
P.S. Send your gardening photos to Ensemble to have them featured on our Facebook page:
Mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com
Marilyn
Ensemble Family Continue and the Advisory Committee
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2024 Windsor-Essex Vital Signs Survey | Each year the Windsor-Essex Community Foundation(WECF) releases the Vital Signs survey to learn what’s important to the residents of our community. The information is used by government and service providers across sectors to focus efforts on what people believe is important. Please take a few moments to complete this year’s Vital Signs Survey and encourage the people we support to do so as well. Please click the link below to start the survey. Your input will contribute to shaping a better community for all. | |
You're Invited to our 63rd Annual General Meeting | |
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Join us for our 63rd Annual General Membership Meeting on Tuesday June 18th at the Ciociaro Club at 3745 North Talbot Road in Oldcastle. Click the button below to RSVP!
Note: to be eligible to vote at the AGM, you must renew your membership by May 28th, 2024.
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A strong, thriving membership is essential to our organization. Membership includes a variety of engagement options and is a great way to show support for the work of Community Living Essex County. Members help guide the direction and work of the organization, attending events and taking a strong interest in building inclusive communities for people supported. Join us and together we can be Member Strong! Click the link below to renew your membership or join for just $10 and receive new membership perks! | |
Career Compass Employer Referral Program | |
Career Compass: Youth in Action | |
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Youth in Action: Summer Work Experience is a program for students with intellectual disabilities looking for summer jobs. The goal is to provide students the opportunity to earn money during the summer, while adding skills and experience to their resume.
Students hired by local businesses will be paired with a student job coach, employed by Community Living Essex County. Their role will be to work alongside students and employers to mentor and guide them, ensuring they understand and complete all work related duties.
Why should my business be a part of Youth in Action?
- Provide a student with a summer job opportunity to add new skills and experiences to their resume.
- Have a student job coach on-site to mentor your student employee during their shifts.
- Have your business highlighted on our social media channels and website.
- Be a community leader in inclusive hiring!
To participate, employers must commit to:
- Hiring a student for a part time 6 week placement.
- Paying a student minimum wage.
- Allowing student job coaches to work alongside the student employee they are paired with.
How can my business get involved?
Contact the Career Compass team at 519-776-6483, ext. 211 or by email at:
careercompass@communitylivingessex.org.
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Tickets On Sale for Sip 'N Shop Mixer! | |
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Don’t miss your chance to attend the 3rd Annual Sip ’N Shop Mixer that kicks off the annual Essex Fun Fest on Thursday July 4th, 2024 at the Essex Arena Fairgrounds. Join us starting at 7pm for a fun night of music, food, wine, and raffles with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Community Living Essex County.
A limited number of tickets are available for $35 each. They can be purchased at the front desk at our office in Essex, located at 372 Talbot St. N, Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Ticket price includes admission to event, souvenir wine tumbler for the first 500 patrons, Essex BIA tote bag, three wine samplings, one glass of wine, one personal charcuterie bowl, live entertainment, and chances to win some great prizes!
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Upcoming DSO Virtual Presentation | |
Developmental Services Ontario will be hosting a free virtual presentation about the newly updated housing and support budget tool on Wednesday, May 29th at 1:00 p.m. This presentation will provide an overview of the new additions to the previously created My Housing and Support Plan Budget Tool. Click the button below to register. | |
An Overview of Journey to Belonging:
Choice and Inclusion
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The P4P Planning Network is hosting a simultaneous French/English presentation about Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion, the government of Ontario’s plan to reform developmental services. The plan is centered on a vision where people with developmental disabilities are supported by their communities, support networks and government to belong and live inclusive lives, where they are empowered to make choices and live as independently as possible through supports that are person-directed, equitable and sustainable. The virtual event will take place online on Tuesday, May 28th, at 7:00 p.m. Click the link below to learn more and to register for the free webcast. | |
Microboards Ontario: Family Connection Night | |
Microboards Ontario will be hosting a Family Connection Night webinar on July 3 at 6:30 p.m. This session will focus on getting started with a microboard. A microboard has one purpose: to support a person with a disability in living their best life by assisting them in making decisions and empowering them to express their goals. These sessions fill up quickly, so register today using the link below! | |
Tourism Windsor-Essex & Pelee Island has put together a comprehensive Summer Event Guide that lists all the festivals and events taking place this summer. Whether you’re into food festivals, concerts, family-friendly carnivals, or community celebrations, this guide has you covered. Click the link below to view the guide and start enjoying all that the #YQG has to offer! | |
The Leamington Fair returns this weekend with live music, midway rides, wrestling, and a demolition derby. The event, hosted by the Leamington District Agricultural Society, runs from Friday, May 24, until Sunday, May 26. Admission to the Leamington Fairgrounds is $25 per day. Midway rides from World’s Finest Shows will be set up until Sunday. Several musical acts will also perform throughout the weekend. Classic championship wrestling in front of the grandstand goes until 7 p.m. on Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The demolition derby begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday. | |
Nuvo Entertainment and Windsor Centre for Film, Digital Media & the Creative Arts are proud to present the Bill Nuvo Experience! A family event for adults and children alike. Master magician Bill Nuvo has been performing for 40 years all across North America. He is known for using a variety of arts in his act including magic, juggling, circus stunts, original music, comedy and more. | |
Windsor Rib and Beer Fest | |
Savour the best BBQ ribs at the Windsor leg of the Northern Heat Rib Series! Indulge in perfectly cooked ribs from the best BBQ ribbers around, offering a flavour-packed adventure unlike any other. Wash it all down at the beer market featuring an ice cold selection of Cowbell draught, along with a variety of wine, cocktails plus an assortment of ready to drink coolers! | |
Oklahoma Coconut Poke Cake | |
This Coconut Poke Cake is easy to make, loaded with coconut flavor, and the perfect dessert for your spring and summer celebrations. | |
Discover how to create a God’s eye craft (also known as ojo de dios) with this step-by-step photo tutorial! All you need are yarn and sticks to make this beautiful traditional craft. These wall hangings also make wonderful gifts. | |
| If you and your friends are planning a camping trip, which of the following are you voting for? | | | |
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If you could be one of the following superheroes for a day, which would you choose?
Batman/Batgirl ~ 12.5%
Superman/Supergirl ~ 18.8%
Spider-Man ~ 6.3%
Wonder Woman ~ 46.9%
Flash ~ 6.3%
Jessica Jones ~ 9.4%
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