World Down Syndrome Day 2025 | | |
March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day, and this year's theme highlights the need for better support systems for people with Down syndrome. Advocates are calling on governments to ensure access to essential services, resources, and rights so individuals can live independently and participate fully in society.
Many still face challenges in getting the support they need, and change is necessary. To raise awareness, people are encouraged to share their experiences using the hashtag #ImproveOurSupportSystems and take part in the "Lots of Socks" campaign by wearing colorful socks in solidarity.
By working together, we can help create a more inclusive and supportive world.
| | Jason had an unforgettable adventure as he traveled to Disney World and Universal Studios with his sister last week! He had the chance to meet and spend time with some of his all-time favorite characters, making memories that will last a lifetime. From thrilling rides to magical moments, this trip was filled with excitement and joy, creating a truly special experience for him and his sister. | | Elizabeth, Janine, Tina, and Brianna had a festive and fun-filled St. Patrick's Day celebration, coming together to bake delicious shamrock cupcakes. The group embraced the spirit of the holiday, blending creativity with the joy of baking, and the result was a tray full of festive, green treats that brought smiles to everyone involved. Their St. Patrick's Day celebration was a perfect chance to enjoy each other's company and share in the holiday cheer. | | With spring just around the corner, Janice is already getting ready! She recently took a trip to Canadale Nursery in St. Thomas to check out plants and get ideas for the upcoming season. It’s the perfect time to start thinking about spring, and Janice is excited to bring some fresh, vibrant touches to her space. | | An Update from Career Compass | | An article in the Essex Free Press details how Essex Council is taking steps to foster inclusive hiring practices and community leadership by exploring opportunities to hire people through Community Living Essex County’s Career Compass program. At a recent council meeting, officials discussed how the town could participate in CLEC’s Youth in Action Summer Work Experience program and create pathways for permanent employment for people supported by CLEC. This initiative aims to offer meaningful job opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities while encouraging local businesses to adopt inclusive hiring practices. Click the button below to read the full article. | | |
Changing Seasons
For those of us who got a change of pace during March Break, we were treated to sunny days with above-average temperatures. This was a welcome break after so many unseasonably cold winter days. The days and weeks ahead will keep us guessing—will it be cold or warm? Longer daylight hours will make this uncertainty more bearable. Spring is just around the corner!
Why not venture out into the country to enjoy “early” almost spring?
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Event: DARK SKY NIGHTS
Where: Point Pelee National Park
When: Saturday, March 22
This family-friendly event invites you to explore the night sky. The park will be open until midnight for this special stargazing evening. The park has been designated as one of the BEST places in Canada 🇨🇦 to explore the night sky.
More info: parks.canada.ca/pn/on/Pelee/acti/sky-ciel
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Event: Emerging Artists
Where: The Gibson Gallery (140 Richmond St., Amherstburg)
When: Thursday, March 20 – Saturday, April 6, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The artistic works of high school students from North Star High School and St. Thomas of Villanova will be featured. This is a perfect opportunity to inspire both young and old to explore creativity.
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Share any events you would like to highlight that offer opportunities for diverse populations. Positive community inclusion benefits everyone, and our special "abilities" are better understood. Ensemble is waiting to hear from you.
Happy “almost spring” days!
Marilyn,
Ensemble Family Consultant and the Advisory Committee
| | Call for Nominations to the Board of Directors and Save the Date for the 64th AMM (formerly AGM) | | |
It’s that time of year again when we begin seeking nominations for the Board of Directors. Submissions should be sent to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, care of the Executive Director, and will be accepted until April 7th. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Save the date for our 64th Annual Meeting of Members – formerly known as the Annual General Meeting. It will be held on Tuesday, June 17th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ciociaro Club.
While the meeting name has changed to comply with the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, the purpose of the meeting remains the same as in past years. Watch for the formal announcement, agenda, and registration information to be distributed in late April.
| | Community Living Ontario 2025 Family Conference | | Community Living Ontario (CLO) is excited to host its first-ever Family Conference on Saturday, May 31st – Sunday, June 1st, offering an in-person, accessible experience for families. This event provides a unique opportunity for families to collaborate on solutions to challenges faced by parents of children with disabilities, engage in open conversations, and share personal experiences in a supportive environment. The conference will take place in various locations across Ontario, including Brantford, Windsor, Kingston, Timmins, Thunder Bay, and the Greater Toronto Area. Families can apply to attend in-person, with applications closing on Monday, March 31st, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-April. For more information, please contact mlucas@communitylivingontario.ca. Thank you to the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence for their generous support of this inaugural event. Click the button below to apply to attend. | | #WaitingToBelong - Call For Stories | | Over 52,000 adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario are currently on a waitlist for services, with some waiting for over a decade. Yet, only about a third of the 3,000 individuals who apply each year actually receive support. t’s time to take action—contact your local representative to advocate for change and help raise awareness by clicking the button below and sharing your story. | | Applications are Open for the Light Up the Future Bursary | | |
Community Living Ontario is excited to announce that applications for the Anne Stafford Light Up the Future Bursary are now open.
The Anne Stafford Light Up the Future Bursary is open to all residents of Ontario aged 18 years and older who identify as having an intellectual disability, to help in their pursuit of an educational program or personal interest course or activity.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 25th at 5:00 p.m. More information and the application can be found at the link below.
| | 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! | | Passport Program Webcast: Submit and Manage eCLAIM | | Join the Passport Program and PassportONE for an informative webinar on March 21st at 12:00 p.m. Learn how to efficiently use eCLAIM to submit invoices and receipts, ensuring quick reimbursements. The session will also include a live Q&A, where you can get real-time answers to any questions about the eCLAIM process. Click the button below to register for this helpful webinar! | | P4P Webcast: Lunch & Learn | | On March 25th, at 12:00 PM, the Planning Network will host a Lunch & Learn session designed to help those who support families and individuals access valuable resources for future planning. During the session, attendees will learn how to navigate the Planning Network’s tools, including free webcasts, action guides, and funding resources, to better assist the people they work with. The event will also feature inspirational video stories and offer a live Q&A session to answer any questions. This is a great opportunity to gain insights into the resources available and enhance support for those planning for the future. | | Windsor Spitfires vs. Sarnia Sting | | The Windsor Spitfires will take on the Sarnia Sting on Thursday, March 20th, at 7:05 pm at the WFCU Centre for a special Fan Appreciation Night! Celebrate the grand finale of the regular season with plenty of giveaways, including a 2024/2025 team photo, gift cards, and more. It's a night dedicated to the best fans in the OHL, so don’t miss out on the fun and excitement! Click the button below to purchase tickets. | | The Thrifted Garden Flea Market | | The Thrifted Garden Flea Market at Anna’s Garden Home and Wellness will take place on Saturday, March 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This exciting event features a variety of local vendors offering unique treasures and handmade goods. Along with great shopping, attendees can enjoy live music, a Pop-Up Headshot session with Rachel of Lively Creative Co, and an Easter Sugar Cookie Decorating Workshop hosted by The Pantry. It’s a fun-filled day of community, creativity, and wonderful finds—perfect for a day out with friends! | |
Windsor Sympohony Orchestra presents:
Lucid Dreams Cello Concerto
| | On Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:30 pm, the Windsor Symphony Orchestra presents Lucid Dreams Cello Concerto at the Capitol Theatre Windsor. Cuban American cellist Tommy Mesa will perform Jocelyn Morlock’s Lucid Dreams, followed by Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 "Ukrainian", inspired by Ukrainian folk tunes. The 90-minute concert will be followed by Curtain Call Conversations, where the Maestro and guest artists discuss the performance. Ticket prices range from $15.00 to $69.00, with fees included. Click the button below to purchase tickets. | | 2025 Windsor Lawn, Garden & Home Show | | On Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, the Windsor Lawn, Garden, and Home Show will be held at the WFCU Centre. This exciting event is the perfect opportunity for homeowners, gardening enthusiasts, and interior design lovers to get inspired and transform their spaces. Explore innovative exhibits from top local and national vendors, enjoy expert advice through workshops and live demos, and discover the latest in landscaping, home improvement, and décor. Special features include live garden design showcases, sustainable home solutions, and a marketplace with unique tools and décor. Plus, there’s plenty of family fun with kid-friendly activities and giveaways—all for free! Click the link below to learn more. | | Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Cauliflower Garlic Rice | | Craving a flavorful and easy meal prep? These Buffalo Chicken Bowls with Cauliflower Garlic Rice have it all: juicy buffalo chicken, fluffy rice with roasted cauliflower, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, and a creamy dill dip. It’s a spicy, crunchy, and comforting meal that's packed with protein and fiber—perfect for busy weeks. Plus, all the ingredients are available at your local grocery store, making it both convenient and budget-friendly. Ready to level up your meal prep? Click the button below. | | Spring Cleaning Tip of the Week | | Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner | Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and create your own natural, effective all-purpose cleaner! To make it, combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then add a lemon rind and a few sprigs of rosemary. Shake it up and let it sit for a week to infuse. Once ready, this homemade cleaner can handle a variety of tasks—use it to tackle hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges, and even freshen up your kitchen surfaces. It’s an easy, eco-friendly way to keep your home sparkling! | | Looking for a fun, budget-friendly craft project? This beehive is the perfect way to add some charm to your spring décor without breaking the bank! With a simple tutorial using supplies from the dollar store, you can create this adorable beehive using a garden planter, rope, and bumblebee ribbon. It’s super easy to make and adds a whimsical touch to any space. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner, this project is sure to give your home a spring vibe! Ready to get crafty? Click the button below. | |
| Which spring activity are you most excited about? | | | | |
Last week's poll results:
How do you prepare for your spring cleaning?
I jump right in without any preparation - 35.4%
Clear out any clutter before starting the actual cleaning - 27.1%
Create a to-do list and schedule - 20.8%
Set up music or a podcast to keep me motivated - 10.4%
Gather all cleaning supplies in advance - 6.3%
Watch cleaning tutorials or read tips for motivation - 0%
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