Spending Family Day at the Windsor Express Game! |
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Chris, Kate, Jeff and Lindsay spent Family Day watching a Windsor Express basketball game! Thank you to the Windsor Express and community sponsors for providing this opportunity!
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Brianne Enjoys Exploring Nature |
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Brianne loves going for nature walks in her community and finds them very relaxing. She loves to identify and photograph the birds that she sees along the way. Above are some action photos she took during her walk.
Brianne is a member of our Board of Directors and New Day, Leaders of Today. She owns Brianne’s Art Creations and Photography and often features her work on her Facebook page, linked below.
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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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Board of Directors Profile - Ian Phillips |
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Introducing Ian Phillips
- Director, since June, 2022
- Retired Educator
As a former educator, Ian has always seen the importance of encouraging people to work to their potential, no matter what challenges or unique circumstances they face. In Ian’s view, this is also the objective of Community Living Essex County. In addition, several of his family members have made working for Community Living Essex County their career of choice. By becoming a Board member he can actively show his support for them and their endeavours.
Some quick facts about Ian:
- Assembling wooden ship models provides Ian with both comforting relaxation and intense frustration. He is currently focused on a model of H.M.S. Beagle, Darwin’s ship.
- Ian feels, in terms of accomplishments, that at his age he has already done all he could and anything he wishes he had done is no longer within his ability. He points out perhaps there is a moral there?
- Ian has really enjoyed reading the historical novels involving Matthew Shardlake, written by C.J. Sansom. Located in the time of Henry VIII, he finds them a wonderful mix of fact and fiction such that you can crawl inside, close the covers, and hide from the real world as only a good book can do.
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When the general public sees the word 'caregiver', they often think of those supporting people of advancing age. With the passage of time and age-related afflictions, many families will become caregivers for weeks, months or even years. This is usually a limited-time engagement. For families that include a child born with intellectual disabilities, caregiving begins on Day 1 and continues for life.
Lifelong caregiving impacts the entire family. As parents age, siblings who are part of the family are often the next wave of unpaid caregivers. In the event there are no siblings, extended family may be relied upon. Paid caregiving support workers complete the team.
As the days, months, and years proceed we gain insight into what is important and we embrace the very important role of caregiving.
Caregivers must constantly seek a balance in daily life that provides positive motivation and strategies to move on to the next challenge with renewed energy.
Ensemble recognizes the untold contributions of families who selflessly give to their intellectually disabled adult child who is living at home. Caregiver Appreciation events, provided by Ensemble, give unpaid caregivers an opportunity to escape daily home responsibilities in the company of others who live the life!
These activities are focused on creativity, socialization, and dining in a relaxed setting with inspiration provided by other families and motivational speakers. New ideas are shared and connections are made that leave participants with the knowledge that caregiving is valued and that they are not alone. Participants who have attended past events have shared many positive comments.
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YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED
In order for Ensemble to continue to offer CAREGIVER APPRECIATION EVENTS in the coming months, we need to know that you would like more FREE events to be planned.
Please take a moment to send Marilyn a brief message telling her why these events are valuable, and please suggest any activities you would be interested in attending. In order to secure funding, the funders need to know how valuable these activities are.
Ensemble is in the process of planning for the month of April 2023.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Marilyn, Ensemble Family Consultant and the Volunteer Committee
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Paul Enjoys Virtual Supports |
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Paul has been taking part in Virtual Supports from the very beginning and says he doesn't plan to quit any time soon. During COVID 19, Community Living Essex County’s Virtual Supports gave Paul something to look forward to. The sessions gave him a chance to see some familiar faces and socialize and meet new people. He has been very happy recently to meet up, in person, with some of the people he became very familiar with during Virtual Sessions. Paul considers Chris, Cody, and Lisa all friends he may not have ever met had it not been for time spent on Virtual Support sessions.
Paul enjoys sessions that involve physical activity; specifically, 'Yoga with Coco' and 'StrongerU Fitness'. He also loves sessions that make him laugh.
His favourite laugh sessions have been those that incorporate bloopers and jokes. Paul is a movie buff and music lover and is excited when trivia and game sessions bring these themes together. Although Paul has an extensive library of movies at home, he signs up for all virtual movie evenings. Paul's first choice is action movies, especially when they are crime or mafia related. Narnia or Harry Potter films have never interested Paul, but he was surprised that he enjoyed these when viewing this past year with virtual supports.
In a nutshell, even though Paul has the opportunity to receive in-person supports, the virtual sessions remain just as important to him, and he can’t imagine doing without them!
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'Ours To Tell'
Black History Month
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Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.
The 2023 theme for Black History Month is: “Ours to tell”. This theme represents both an opportunity to engage in open dialogue and a commitment to learning more about the stories Black communities in Canada have to tell about their histories, successes, sacrifices and triumphs.
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Exploring Affordable Rental Options
Free Virtual Presentation
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Join DSO Housing Navigators for a free virtual presentation on various types of affordable and rent geared to income options available to individuals with low to moderate income.
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Topics covered will include:
- the difference between rent geared to income and affordable housing
- housing benefits including the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit
- Indigenous affordable housing programs
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This free online presentation is on March 23rd from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. Click the link below to register. |
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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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#TogetherWeBuild
Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital Town Halls
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We Are Hiring and We Need Your Help! |
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Join Andrew Banar for his FREE Dancing with Friends classes for young adults with intellectual abilities in our community ages 13 & older! Classes feature instructor Taya of Sunshine Dance Studios.
Classes take place in Kingsville and additional details will be provided upon registration.
Dancing with Friends will be held the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.
There are only 25 reserved spots available, email Karen, Andrew’s mom at karenapickle@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
Please include:
- name
- contact information
- name and age of person attending
All information provided is confidential.
Registration closes once 25 requests have been received.
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Cabin Fever Vendors Market |
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Vendors Market! Beat the winter blues and shop over 35 local vendors under one roof. Artisans, crafters, authors, jewelers, health and wellness, baked goods, food products, and more!
This vendors market takes place at the Tecumseh Legion, located at 12326 Lanoue Street, Tecumseh, February 26th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
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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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Learn how to fold napkins into a playful bunny shape with this easy-to-follow project. Well-starched crisp cotton or linen will transform into the sturdiest bunnies for a festive Easter table scape.
Supplies:
- Cotton or linen napkins, starched
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The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is an American superhero television series based on the comic book series of the same name. It revolves around a dysfunctional family of adopted sibling superheroes who reunite to solve the mystery of their father's death and the threat of an imminent apocalypse. Three seasons are streaming on Netflix.
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Banana Split Cake
No-Bake Banana Split Cake has all the fabulous flavours you’d expect from a scrumptiously melty banana split sundae, all in an easy to prepare no-bake dessert. Complete with maraschino cherries, because it wouldn’t be a banana split without a cherry on top!
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Laughter is the Best Medicine |
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What is your favourite paczki flavour?
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I prefer my food order to be:
Delivered ~ 22.5%
Picked up ~ 15%
Served to me at a restaurant ~ 30%
I prefer to cook at home ~ 32.5%
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