John loves Halloween, and last week he enjoyed visiting Thiessen Apple Orchards to take part in the seasonal activities. The visit gave John a chance to be part of a community event, spend time with others, and enjoy the fall festivities. It was also a chance for John to step outside his comfort zone and build confidence by participating in community activities. | Super Troupers on the Town | Last week, Ryan and Arthur had a great night together, starting with dinner before going to the ABBA Revisited concert. They sang along to the songs, danced to the music, and shared lots of laughs throughout the evening. | | Christine got into the Halloween spirit last week with a visit to Pepe’s Pumpkin Patch to pick out her pumpkins! Halloween is her absolute favourite time of year, so she was excited to get into the fall season and find the perfect pumpkins to celebrate. | Matthew was ready to get creative with his new paint set last week! He put his paints to work decorating a pumpkin for October, adding his own personal touch to this classic fall activity. With his new art supplies and a pumpkin ready for a makeover, Matthew brought some extra colour to the season! | | A Bushel Full of Good Times | | Last month, Ryan spent the morning walking around the Apple Festival, stopping to chat with vendors and connect with people along the way. He took in the lively atmosphere and enjoyed being part of the community event. He is already looking forward to coming back next year! | | Stay Connected with Virtual Supports! | |
Looking for fun and engaging ways to connect, learn, and spend time with others from the comfort of home? Virtual Supports offer opportunities to participate in activities, explore new interests, build connections, develop skills, and stay engaged.
Whether you’re looking to meet new people, connect with friends, try something new, or take part in activities you enjoy, there’s something for everyone.
Flexible registration options are available, including pay-as-you-go registration for individual sessions, as well as bundles and memberships that offer added flexibility and value when registering for multiple sessions.
To purchase a bundle or membership, simply log into MyCommunityHub, complete your purchase, and you’ll receive a code by email within 3–5 business days. Enter your code when registering for sessions to apply your bundle or membership to the session fee.
Need help? Click the button below for helpful links and registration instructions, including step-by-step guidance and video tutorials.
| October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month | |
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize the valuable contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce and raise awareness about the importance of inclusive employment.
At Community Living Essex County, we know that meaningful employment can play an important role in helping people build full, meaningful lives as valued members of their communities. Employment creates opportunities to contribute, connect with others, develop skills and pursue personal goals.
While progress has been made, people with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment. At the same time, businesses across our communities are looking for talented and dedicated people to join their teams. Inclusive hiring can help bridge that gap by connecting employers with an often-overlooked talent pool that brings valuable skills, diverse perspectives and dedication to the workplace.
Inclusive employment is more than a workforce strategy, it’s an important pathway to inclusion and belonging. Click the button below to learn more.
| | Join Career Compass for a Lunch Mob at Jose's Bar & Grill in Leamington, on Thursday, October 29th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., to support this inclusive employer! | | |
Throughout October, Career Compass will be highlighting NDEAM on social media, sharing stories, information and resources about disability-inclusive employment and the impact of meaningful work.
Follow Career Compass on Facebook and Instagram, and join us throughout the month as we shine a light on inclusion, challenge outdated assumptions and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities in the workplace.
| | An Update from Career Compass | | |
Career Compass is celebrating Emily on her position with the Town of Essex, Essex Centre Sports Complex through the Youth in Action program. Her responsibilities include cleaning windows and glass surfaces, taking out garbage, restocking janitorial closets, and sweeping areas of the facility while building valuable workplace skills and confidence.
Congratulations on your success Emily !
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New Day has been busy building connections and engaging with our community this fall!
Recently, New Day attended both the Outdoor Accessibility Fest for All and the Ruthven Apple Festival. We hosted booths at each event and had a wonderful time meeting new people, sharing information about New Day, and strengthening community relationships. Visitors enjoyed receiving New Day magnets, and many participated in our games for a chance to win a "No More R-Word" bracelet or a delicious caramel apple sucker.
New Day also hosted a special Friendsgiving celebration, where 14 people came together to enjoy fellowship, friendship, and a hearty meal. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect and celebrate community.
We would also like to wish safe travels to the nine self-advocates attending the Speaking Out Conference in Port Elgin from October 16-18. We look forward to hearing about their experiences and the valuable knowledge they bring back.
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Upcoming New Day Meeting
Our next New Day meeting will be held on November 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the Essex Office. During this meeting, attendees will share what they learned at the Speaking Out Conference.
Be sure to stay tuned for more information regarding our upcoming Christmas Party. We look forward to celebrating together!
| | Register for the Jingle Bell Run, Walk, & Wheel Today! | | |
Join us on Sunday, November 8th, at Ken Knapp Ford in Essex for our 32nd annual Jingle Bell Run, Walk & Wheel!
This festive event supports Community Living Essex County and offers a variety of options: a 2km or 5km walk/run, and a Little Elf Run for kids 6 and under.
You can join individually or as part of a team, and festive attire is encouraged!
Entry Fees:
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Adults: $50
- Ages 7–13: $35
- Little Elf Run (ages 6 and under): FREE (starts at 9:45 am)
A special thank you to Ken Knapp Ford in Essex for their ongoing support of this inclusive community fundraising event!
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Honouring the Legacy of Sue Desjarlais | |
Community Living Essex County, in partnership with the Windsor Roseland Rotary Club, is proud to introduce the Sue Desjarlais Community Impact Award, a special one-time award created to honour the life and legacy of Sue Desjarlais, who passed away in the spring of 2025.
Sue was a longtime and dedicated volunteer with both Community Living Essex County and Windsor Roseland Rotary, generously giving her time, energy and heart in service to others. Her kindness, compassion and commitment to her community touched many lives and left a lasting impact.
The Sue Desjarlais Community Impact Award will recognize a volunteer who embodies the qualities Sue demonstrated throughout her life - kindness, compassion, dedication, inclusion and a genuine desire to make a difference for others.
The recipient will be presented with a commemorative award and recognized at an upcoming event hosted by Community Living Essex County and/or Windsor Roseland Rotary Club.
Nominations are now open and must be received by October 30. We encourage you to nominate a deserving volunteer whose contributions have made a meaningful difference and whose spirit of service reflects the wonderful legacy Sue left behind.
| | Community Living Ontario Inclusion Campaign | People with intellectual disabilities should be part of conversations and decisions that affect their lives and communities. This campaign puts the experiences, valued roles, and leadership status of self-advocates at the centre. Brianne Taggart, New Day President and Community Living Essex County Board Member, is one of the people featured in the campaign, sharing her perspective on inclusion and belonging. Click the button below to learn more and get involved with the Inclusion Campaign. | |
Windsor-Essex Family Network Presents:
Beyond Barriers
| Beyond Barriers is a new TV series created, hosted, and filmed by 20 youth with disabilities from Windsor-Essex. Through conversations with community guests and youth roundtable discussions, the series challenges myths about disability, promotes inclusion and accessibility, and highlights the talents, humour, interests, and goals of people with disabilities. The series airs Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. on YourTV Windsor/Leamington, Cogeco Cable Channel 700 and Cogeco EPICO Channel 100. Click the button below to learn more, meet the team, explore the episodes, and go behind the scenes. | P4P Free Information Session | On October 28th 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. | |
Tourism Windsor Essex County Pelee Island
Halloween Event Guide
| Get ready to embrace the Halloween spirit across Windsor, Essex County, and Pelee Island! From haunted houses and spooky trails to pumpkin patches and family-friendly festivals, this guide is your go-to list for all things Halloween. Use it to plan weekend adventures, discover hidden gems, or check off must-see events as you explore the region this season. Click the button below to view the guide. | The Family Fun Fall Market is coming to LaSalle on October 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing. Shop from more than 80 local vendors offering baked goods, crochet items, 3D printed products, wellness products, custom loungewear, and more. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Click the button below to learn more. | |
Art at the oTENTiks returns to Point Pelee National Park on October 17th and 18th, inviting visitors to explore the Camp Henry oTENTik village and discover local artisans at work. The event will feature shopping, live art demonstrations, family friendly crafts, and food available for purchase. Admission to the show is included with park admission. Click the button below to learn more. | Harvest & Horses Festival | Step back in time and celebrate the fall season at John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area on October 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This family friendly festival features cider pressing, sausage making, crafts, pony rides, and more. Visitors can also enjoy the popular Parade of Horses at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., along with pioneer demonstrations, equine exhibits, and children’s games. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children and seniors, and $30 for a family of up to six. Click the button below to purchase event tickets. |
Shadowbox Theatre: Card Board Game Night
| Head to The Shadowbox Theatre on October 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for Card Board Game Night, held on the third Monday of every month. Guests can play a wide variety of board and card games, including strategy, trivia, tile, deck building, and party games, or bring their own to share with others. Kids are welcome with adult supervision, and admission is $5 per person at the door. Click the button below to learn more. | | As the cooler weather approaches, warm up with a hearty bowl of vegetarian chili. This satisfying meatless recipe combines walnuts, mushrooms, carrots, beans, and plenty of vegetables with onion, garlic, green chiles, and spices for big flavour. It’s easy to make, packed with vegetables, and makes delicious leftovers. Click the button below for the full recipe. | |
Fall Forward Series: Fall Prep Made Simple | | Take some time to look over the outside of your home before winter arrives. Check your roof for visible damage, clean out leaves and debris from gutters, and make sure downspouts are directing water away from your home. Look at your steps, walkways, railings, and outdoor lights to make sure everything is in good condition and ready for the darker, colder months. If you notice something that needs attention, taking care of it now can help avoid bigger problems later. | | Bring the colours and scents of fall to your home with a fall door wreath! Using a grapevine wreath, colourful leaves, mini pumpkins, pinecones, dried orange slices, and cinnamon sticks, you can create a beautiful seasonal decoration to welcome guests to your door. This simple craft lets you get creative and design a wreath to suit your style. Click the button below to start crafting! | |
| Which Halloween movie is a must-watch every October? | | | | |
Last issue's poll results:
What’s the dish you can’t live without at Thanksgiving?
Classic stuffing or dressing – 25%
Mashed potatoes & gravy – 17%
Roast turkey – 16%
Pumpkin pie – 16%
Sweet potato casserole – 7%
Glazed ham – 7%
Green bean casserole – 4%
Cranberry sauce – 4%
Something else – 4%
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