National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | | |
Yesterday, communities across Canada came together to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day is an opportunity to honour Indigenous Peoples, learn about their histories and experiences, and recognize residential school survivors, their families, and communities. It also encourages Canadians to reflect on the lasting impacts of residential schools and the importance of reconciliation as we continue the journey toward healing and understanding.
Community Living Essex County is committed to listening, learning, and continuing to build a community where everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and understanding. We recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing journey and encourage our community to continue learning and reflecting beyond September 30th.
| | 47th Ruthven Apple Festival a Record-Breaking Success! | | |
What an incredible weekend! The 47th Ruthven Apple Festival welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors to Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens on September 26 and 27. With outstanding fall weather, more than 115 craft vendors, delicious food, live entertainment, a farmers’ market, Kidz Zone, car show and so much more, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The Ruthven Apple Festival is more than a fun fall tradition — it is one of Community Living Essex County’s largest fundraisers of the year. Funds raised through the festival will support the purchase and maintenance of accessible vehicles, helping provide reliable transportation for the more than 700 people with intellectual disabilities we support throughout Essex County. These vehicles help people get to work, volunteer opportunities, medical appointments, recreational activities, community events and the many places that help them live full and meaningful lives in their communities.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s festival such a tremendous success. Thank you to our generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, hardworking steering committee, vendors, entertainment partners, community supporters and everyone who attended and donated. Your generosity and commitment make this event possible year after year.
Most importantly, we want to thank the people we support, whose stories, accomplishments and contributions are at the heart of everything we do. Your support of the Ruthven Apple Festival is helping create more opportunities for people to participate, connect and belong in their communities.
Thank you, Essex County, for once again showing us the incredible power of community! We can’t wait to see you next year! 🍎
| | Dave went on an overnight trip to Toronto last week, where he spent time exploring the city and visiting some popular attractions. He checked out the exhibits at Ripley’s Aquarium, enjoyed dinner at the Steam Whistle Kitchen, and toured the Royal Ontario Museum. Dave enjoyed the change of pace and the change of scenery. | Janine had a blast at the Dresden Monster Truck Show last week! She got to take in the excitement of the big trucks and enjoy the action throughout the show. It was a fun experience for Janine and a great chance to see the monster trucks up close. | Fall Fun at the Apple Orchard | Earlier this week, Brianna and Tina enjoyed a trip to the apple orchard for some apple picking. They picked some fresh apples for Thanksgiving and are planning to use them to bake an apple pie. Their fresh apples are sure to make for a delicious Thanksgiving treat. | | A Summer Goal in the Books | | Last week, Crystal visited Greenview Aviaries, one of her summer goals. She had a great time spending time with the animals, especially feeding the goats and listening to the ducks and sheep. Visiting the aviary was a great way for Crystal to enjoy the summer and check one of her goals off her list. | Marc and Andrew visited the Chimczuk Museum last month. They enjoyed exploring the exhibits and discovering more about local history. Their visit gave them a chance to see something new and learn more about the area. | |
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.
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 | | |
Ursula gained valuable employment experience this summer with the Essex County Library. She helped locate library holds, sort and organize materials, and prepare activity kits and craft supplies for library programs.
Great work, Ursula!
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Early Bird Pricing Ends Soon!
Sign Up for the Jingle Bell Run, Walk & Wheel Today!
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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 (Early bird $45 – register by October 8!)
- Ages 7–13: $35 (Early bird $30 – register by October 8!)
- Little Elf Run (ages 6 and under): FREE (starts at 9:45 am)
After October 8, fees increase to $50 for adults and $35 for kids 13 and under—so don’t miss out!
A special thank you to Ken Knapp Ford in Essex for their ongoing support of this inclusive community fundraising event!
| | Community Living Ontario Inclusion Campaign | People are more than just a label. Share the characteristics that make you unique and become part of the Inclusion Campaign by creating your own personalized campaign ad! Create your ad, share it with your community, and help us show the many ways that people contribute and belong. Get started by clicking the button below. | |
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. | Upcoming DSO Virtual Event | Join DSO Housing Navigators on October 8th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for Inside the Shift: How Developmental Service Agencies are Transforming. This virtual presentation is part of a 2026–2027 series highlighting organizations across Ontario and exploring how they are evolving to meet the growing and changing needs of their communities. Click the button below to register. | P4P Free Information Session | The P4P Planning Network is offering a free online webcast, Intro to the RDSP, on October 6th at 1:00 p.m. This 45-minute session will provide an overview of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), including potential government contributions, the latest updates and changes, and helpful tips and resources. A live Q&A will follow the webcast. 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. | Ojibway Nature Centre 50 Year Celebration | Celebrate 50 years of the Ojibway Nature Centre on October 3rd from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 5200 Matchett Road in Windsor. The open house will feature special exhibits highlighting the history of this cherished local landmark and its connection to the community. The exhibits will also remain on display until the end of the year. Click the button below to learn more. | |
Windsor Symphony Orchestra Presents: | Experience classical music in a unique setting at Classical in the Concrete on October 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Pelissier Street Parking Garage in Windsor. The Windsor Symphony Orchestra will perform famous works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and more, conducted by Artistic Advisor James Sommerville. Admission is free, but registration is required and seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to register and arrive early. Click the button below to register for this event. | Travel back in time with Windsor Beatlemania! featuring The Liverpool 4, Canada’s tribute to The Beatles. With almost two decades of live performances, The Liverpool 4 will bring the music of The Beatles to the stage with hits spanning their career. The show promises high energy, great musicianship, humour, and plenty of classic Beatles songs. Tickets are $52.50 plus taxes and fees. Click the button below to purchase event tickets. | Visit the Fall Market on October 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the LaSalle Event Centre. Browse more than 100 local vendors, enjoy food and drinks, and take part in free photos with Super Mario from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free, with voluntary donations supporting the Windsor Downtown Lions Club. Click the button below to visit the event website and learn more. | | Baked Cinnamon Apple Butter French Toast | Bring the flavours of fall to the breakfast table with this delicious Baked Cinnamon Apple Butter French Toast! Thick slices of brioche are filled with apple butter, baked with cinnamon and apples, and finished with a drizzle of salted maple cream. Warm, sweet, and packed with fall flavour, this cozy breakfast is a great way to start the day. Click the button below for the step-by-step recipe. | |
Fall Forward Series: Fall Prep Made Simple | | Get Your Home Ready for the Cold | | October is a great time to give your home a little fall checkup and get ready for the colder weather ahead. Take a walk through your home and make sure your heating system is ready to keep you comfortable. Check windows and doors for drafts, replace seals if needed, and swap out your furnace filter if it needs changing. Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly, too. You can also bring out warmer blankets, check your cold weather clothing, and add a few cozy touches to make your home feel comfortable as the season changes. | | Glowing Pinecone Fall Centerpiece | | Add a warm glow to fall decorating with this simple fall centerpiece. The project combines natural pinecones with soft lighting to create a cozy centrepiece that brings a touch of autumn charm to the table. With just a few simple materials and easy steps, this DIY is a fun way to add some seasonal style to the home. Click the button below for the step-by-step process. | |
| October 1st marks the start of a new month. What are you hoping October brings? | | | | |
Last issue's poll results:
How are you planning to spend your weekend?
Going to the Ruthven Apple Festival where I can do all of the above! - 56%
Spending time with family – 19%
Getting together with friends – 16%
Spending time outdoors – 3%
Playing games – 3%
Going out to see some live entertainment – 2%
Going shopping – 1%
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