Last week, on a beautiful, sunny Wednesday afternoon, Clayton and Matthew enjoyed playing catch in their backyard. The warm weather made it the perfect day for some outdoor fun, and they made the most of it with a friendly game. It was a great way to spend the afternoon after the long winter, soaking up the sunshine together. | | Last Thursday, Kevin had a fantastic time meeting up with friends and playing a few rounds of pool at Johnny Shotz! He enjoyed relaxing, socializing, and having some friendly competition in a lively atmosphere. It was a day filled with fun and great company! | | Neal and support worker, Kailey, have ongoing sports rivalries. One being the Essex 73's and Lakeshore Canadiens, who are currently battling for the Stobb's Division in the playoffs. Neal was able to go with Kailey to one of the games this past Friday and was so excited to ring his cowbells and wave his towel! Kailey's team, Lakeshore, ended up winning 5-1, but she caught a puck for Neal, and it made up for the loss! | | Silvie is taking time to for herself by enjoying her favorite activities. She loves organizing beads, creating designs on pegboards, making necklaces, and crafting. To make it even more fun, she treated herself to a brand-new craft kit. Enjoy your creative time, Silvie! | | Over the weekend, Tony attended a cupcake decorating workshop at Anna's Garden, Home & Wellness in Kingsville. He had a great time learning some new decorating techniques and really enjoyed the experience. It was a fun and informative session that gave him some fresh ideas for his future baking projects! | | |
Volunteer with Ensemble
Ensemble is a parent-directed committee of families caring for a child or adult with an intellectual disability. Created in 2000 by two mothers whose family lives had been affected by a diagnosis of disability, the name Ensemble, meaning "together" in French, was chosen for the project. Past and present mothers understood the need to connect with those experiencing similar lives in order to remain strong, resilient, and optimistic.
Ensemble is seeking additional committee members. We meet monthly over a 9-month period for approximately one hour at 7 p.m. at Community Living Essex County's Essex office. Members are encouraged to be available for all meetings when possible.
By joining our committee, you will be able to openly share lived experiences and make suggestions in the company of others who "live the life!" These insights will provide valuable family perspectives that will benefit your family and the greater community.
Visit our website:
www.ensembleunderstands.com
For further information, please email mgodard@ensembleunderstands.org.
Please consider opening doors for you and your family member with intellectual disabilities.
Marilyn,
Ensemble Family Consultant and the Advisory Committee
| | To celebrate Earth Day, New Day is hosting a meeting on April 11th to learn how we can help our planet and wildlife, and explore ways to reuse, reduce, and recycle. Come have some fun with our hands-on activities! Check out the poster above for details. | | |
New Day has also been busy helping to plan the 2025 Speaking Out Conference, which will be held in Port Elgin on October 24-26. This conference aims to promote advocates’ knowledge about their rights, leadership, and advocacy skills to enhance their abilities for active participation in their communities. The workshops will be interactive and hands-on, giving participants valuable skills to take back to their communities. The conference provides opportunities for self-advocates, support staff, and families to come together and explore issues important to people with developmental/intellectual disabilities.
The Speaking Out Conference is now accepting presentation submissions. You can find the Call for Presentations by clicking the button below to visit the Speaking Out Conference website.
| | 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, as well as virtually. 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 Passport Claims with MyDirectPlan | | Join MyDirectPlan for a free Virtual Information Session on Wednesday, April 2nd, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. to learn how to use MyDirectPlan for submitting Passport claims, managing funds, and accessing online support resources. During the session, MyDirectPlan representatives will also answer any questions participants have about the platform in a live Q&A. This session is hosted by MyDirectPlan in partnership with the Passport program, offering valuable insights and guidance on navigating the platform for a seamless experience. Click the button below to register. | | P4P Webcast: Wills and Estate Planning | | On April 2nd at 7:00 p.m., families supporting a member with a disability are invited to an informative session on Wills and Estate Planning. This session will cover essential estate planning elements, will setup steps, types of trusts, and the two types of Power of Attorney. Participants will also have the chance to connect with other families and receive a digital workbook with legal resources and practical next steps. Click the button below to register. | | Windsor Essex Community Arts Project presents: Mary Poppins | | The Windsor Essex Community Arts Project proudly presents Mary Poppins from March 27th to 29th, at the École l'Essor Auditorium. This enchanting musical brings the beloved story to life, featuring timeless classics like "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," and "Feed the Birds," along with dazzling new songs. With vibrant choreography and unforgettable performances, this practically perfect production is a must-see for audiences of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious magic of Mary Poppins on stage! Click the button below to purchase tickets. | | FIRST Robotics Competition | | The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) takes place from March 28th to 29th, at the St. Denis Centre of the University of Windsor. This exciting, free event will showcase the talent of high school students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as 29 incredible robots compete in thrilling qualifying matches. Spectators will witness the spirit of “co-operti-tion” as teams collaborate and compete in high-energy, action-packed challenges. Perfect for families, educators, students, and anyone curious about robotics, this is an event not to be missed! The action begins at 11:00 a.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Click the button below to visit the event website and learn more about this event. | |
Chrysler Theater Presents:
Disney Beauty & the Beast Junior
| | On Saturday, March 29th, join the Chrysler Theatre Kids for a magical performance of Disney's Beauty & The Beast Jr. This youth production tells the timeless tale of an arrogant young prince cursed to live as a Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. Belle, a spirited village girl, enters the Beast’s castle to rescue her father and, with the help of enchanted servants like Mrs. Potts, helps draw the Beast out of his isolation. The show runs at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $15.00+ taxes & fees for main floor seating and $25.00+ taxes & fees for box seats. Don’t miss this enchanting performance for all ages! Click the button below to purchase tickets. | | Downtown Windsor Farmer's Market | | Join the Downtown Windsor Farmer’s Market as it opens its 2025 season on Saturday, March 29th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Pelissier St. The market will be running every Saturday through October 25th, offering fresh, farm-to-table produce and unique artisan food products from the best local producers. Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including a Kids Corner, art exhibits, craft vendors, community booths, entertainment, food demonstrations, and special events, making it the perfect family-friendly outing. Don’t miss your chance to support local businesses and experience the best of the community! Click the button below to visit the event website. | | On Sunday, March 30th, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., come together with the community for the third annual Childcan Rocks for Hope at the Fogolar Furlan Club. This exciting event will feature live bands, amazing prizes, kids' activities, and more – all in support of children and families affected by childhood cancer. All proceeds will benefit Childcan’s important work, making a meaningful impact on those in need. Don’t miss out on an afternoon of music, fun, and community spirit, all while helping to bring hope to families facing difficult challenges. Click the button below to visit the event website and learn more. | | |
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit:
You Can Cook Series
| | This engaging video series, created by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, is the perfect way to build your confidence in the kitchen! In just 5 minutes or less, you'll learn essential food skills that will make cooking at home easier, more enjoyable, and healthier. Whether you're a beginner or just looking to brush up on your skills, these quick and informative videos are designed to get you comfortable in the kitchen in no time. Click the button below to start learning and cooking today! | | Carrots are in season and a great source of fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. Carrots are the fourth largest vegetable crop in Canada and mostly grown in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. Besides the common orange carrot, there are white, yellow, purple and red varieties as well. Carrot and honey cookies are a great treat to enjoy throughout the week. This naturally sweetened and fresh cookie will have you going back for more! Click the button below for the recipe. | | Spring Cleaning Tip of the Week | | To keep your HVAC system running smoothly, don't forget to clean the vent covers during your spring cleaning. Start by using a disposable duster or a vacuum with a hose and upholstery brush attachment to remove any dust. For optimal performance, remove the vent covers and rinse them in the sink or soak them in hot, soapy water to get rid of any stuck-on dirt. Simply replace the clean vent covers after they have been given enough time to air-dry. Taking these simple steps will not only improve airflow but also help maintain a cleaner, healthier home environment. | | If you do not have a green thumb but enjoy having flowers around, look no further than coffee filter hydrangeas! With spring in the air, this is the perfect time to brighten up your space with beautiful, long-lasting flowers. Use your favourite watercolour paints, old coffee filters you have hanging around, and a thrifted vase to create your own stunning flower arrangement. For added volume, try adding more coffee filters to enhance your new favourite spring decoration. Ready to get crafty? Click the button below. | |
| If you had to be on a reality TV show, which of the following would you choose? | | | | |
Last week's poll results:
Which spring activity are you most excited about?
Gardening - 31.7%
Hiking or nature walks - 24.4%
Yard improvement - 22%
Birdwatching - 12.2%
Picnics - 7.3%
Fishing - 2.4%
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