Making Spirits Bright in the West Area |
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Our direct support workers in the Amherstburg & LaSalle area did a wonderful job at making the Christmas holiday special for people receiving Supported Independent Living supports.
Christmas gifts were delivered, as was dinner for those who wanted to spend a quiet holiday at home. There was also a small Christmas dinner held at the Channel Resource Centre in Amherstburg.
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Holiday Spirit Alive at Community Living Essex County Gift Wrapping Booth |
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After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, the holiday spirit was on display again as over one hundred dedicated volunteers from across Essex County lent their time and energy to wrap gifts at our gift-wrapping fundraiser at Devonshire Mall in Windsor. For the past 28 years the gift wrap booth annually raises a significant amount of money in support of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The gift wrap booth also provides a unique opportunity to acquaint thousands of holiday shoppers with an understanding of the goals and work of Community Living Essex County.
“We are extremely appreciative and thankful for the support we received from Devonshire Mal, our corporate sponsors St. Clair College and St. Clair College Alumni Association , all of our volunteers and the public for keeping the holiday spirit alive”, states Tony DeSantis, Manager of Community Relations, and Resource Development with Community Living Essex County. An announcement will be made shortly on the amount raised from the 2022 event.
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An Introduction to Our Board of Directors |
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Get to know our volunteer board of directors! Community Living Essex County is honoured and fortunate to have such a vast wealth of knowledge and experience among our board members. Starting next week we will be featuring one of our board members each week right here in our Possibilities newsletter.
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A BIG thank you to the Ensemble Advisory Committee members; who along with BaiLing, Shayla and their sons, volunteered to gift wrap at Devonshire Mall. We met many interesting shoppers, raised money for CLEC and MOST IMPORTANTLY — had fun! THANK YOU 😊 |
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Another Caregiver Appreciation Event for unpaid family members caring for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) at home will be offered soon. Date to be announced. Stay tuned! |
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We are now embarking on a new year. Prioritize what is important to you. Is this the year you embrace change, rediscover happiness or find joy and peace?
To think about:
5 Secrets to a Happy Life — Dr. Natasha Sharma
- Focus on positives
- Focus on what you can control - if you can’t control a problem - let it go
- Don’t blame others - take responsibility for your actions and move on
- Accept yourself just the way you are
- Enjoy your life
Ensemble is a family voice for families by families.
We have a wealth of lived experience and we are here to share community information and resources and to support one another.
We look forward to meeting Essex County families - virtually or at one of our next events.
Marilyn - Parent Consultant and the Ensemble Advisory Families.
Interesting reading:
The Kindness Journal by Dr. Natasha Sharma
Interesting website:
www.ontariocaregiver.ca
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Lower-Income Renters Can Apply for One-Time $500 Top-Up to Canadian Housing Benefit |
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The one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit aims to help low-income renters with the cost of renting. You may be eligible for a tax-free one-time payment of $500 if your income and the amount that you pay on rent qualify.
To qualify, your adjusted net income must be below $35,000 for families, or $20,000 for individuals who pay at least 30 per cent of their adjusted net income on rent.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers this one-time payment. To apply for this new federal one-time payment, you do not need to receive other housing benefits such as the Canada Housing Benefit, which is co-funded and delivered by the provinces and territories.
Applications are open until Friday, March 31, 2023.
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Community Living Ontario - Together We're Better Contest! |
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February is inclusive education month! Students who learn together in school also learn to live well together as adults and are better able to create and participate in communities where everyone belongs.
How it Works:
Work with your class, your friends, a classmate or school group (min. 2 people) and submit a creative media (ex. video, song, photo collage, story, TikTok, etc.) on how your school, classroom, and/or extra curricular program actively supports inclusion of students who have an intellectual disability.
Deadline:
Submit your creative media and application by Friday, February 10th, 2023 (11:59 pm EST) Contest is open to grades one through twelve in Ontario.
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Community Living Essex is Hiring & We Need Your Help! |
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Dinosaur Discoveries at the Chimczuk Museum |
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Travelling from the American Museum of Natural History, Dinosaur Discoveries: Ancient Fossils, New Ideas is an all-ages exhibition that explores the evolution of current theories about dinosaurs, and reveals what living, breathing dinosaurs were really like. It highlights current research by scientists from the American Museum of Natural History and other leading paleontologists around the world.
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Last Chance to See Holiday Lights |
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The holidays might be over, but there is still time to check out some of the beautiful and festive light displays across Windsor and Essex County! Check out the list below for details.
- Bright Lights Windsor at Jackson Park in Windsor ends on January 8th
- LaSalle Holiday Lights and Heritage Nights at the LaSalle Civic Centre ends on January 8th
- River Lights Winter Festival at Toddy Jones Park and Navy Yard Park in Amherstburg ends on January 21st
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Modern Family
Modern Family is a comedy series that views three different families through the lens of a documentary filmmaker and his crew. The series tells the story of Jay Pritchett, his second wife, his stepson, and their infant son; and his two adult children and their families in suburban Los Angeles. There are eleven seasons streaming on Disney+.
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Chicken Fajita Bowls
This flavourful chicken fajita bowl is filled with fresh ingredients including bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, grilled corn and guacamole. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal-prepping for work lunches!
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Laughter is the Best Medicine |
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Did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2023?
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What's your favourite Christmas Tradition?
Decorating the tree ~ 42.9%
Building a gingerbread house ~ 6.8%
Baking Christmas cookies ~ 16.9%
Christmas caroling ~ 5.1%
Opening the Advent calendar ~ 8.5%
Holiday light tour ~ 13.6%
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