Saying good-bye to Barb
It is with great sadness and fond memories that we acknowledge the
passing of Barbara Hills on Saturday, April 28, 2007. Barb was a long
time resident of Community Living Support Services and up until 2005,
lived at our Elgin Street residence. Barbara, in declining physical
health, then relocated to Victoria Manor where she lived until her
recent passing.
Barb ignited the humour in all of us. Her affection for all enamoured us. Her charm enticed us to give in on occasion as well.
Barb's long and full life was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace
Roman Catholic Church in Bobcaygeon on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 followed
by Internment in Toronto at Resthaven Memorial Gardens on Wednesday,
May 2. She is at peace with her angels.
Check out our prize-winning quilt
We are pleased to present our quilt, which won first prize at the Lindsay Central Exhibition. As in the work we do daily, this masterpiece represents the coming together of staff members, volunteers, individuals and community partners to share their mutual vision of community living.
If you'd like to view our quilt 'in person', it is displayed at our 33 Lindsay Street South offices, on the second floor. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this piece of art commemorating the past, present and future of Community Living Kawartha Lakes.
Catching up the on K.U.R.E.
We have been so busy at K.U.R.E. (Kids Understanding Respect Everywhere) that we're a bit behind on sharing our news! Read on for the scoop on our latest adventures at Fenelon Falls Secondary School and beyond.
Spreading the Word in Orillia
Co-leader of K.U.R.E. & Fenelon Falls Secondary School student Maria Reesor presented this year at Community Living Ontario's annual conference.
With a focus on inclusion, Maria told her audience about the work of K.U.R.E. - Kids Understanding Respect Everywhere - and how it has evolved over the seven years since it was established at Fenelon Falls high school. She shared her experiences as a leader as well as a participant in K.U.R.E. and talked about how the group's work has fostered tolerance, understanding and acceptance in the school community and beyond.
Besides presenting, Maria was able to attend a number of workshops at the conference, which presented her with the opportunity to learn more about community living and inclusion. She particularly enjoyed a presentation by CBC Radio host, Michael Enright, who talked about his daughter who has an intellectual challenge.
For more information about K.U.R.E., call Bonnie Roe at (705) 328-0502 ext. 218.
Visitors from Afar
K.U.R.E (Kids Understanding Respect Everywhere) at Fenelon Falls Secondary School (FFSS) were pleased to host students from Parry Sound High School and their staff mentor, Barb Harry, from Community Living Parry Sound. Students Jonathon Smith, Nathaniel Hewett and Ali Francis made the long drive from Parry Sound to Fenelon Falls because they had heard great things about K.U.R.E. and their activities to promote respect, inclusion and anti-discrimination at F.F.S.S.
F.F.S.S. Vice Principal Richard Christie welcomed the guests, after which they enjoyed a delicious pizza lunch complements of Community Living Kawartha Lakes. Janeen Amting, one of the K.U.R.E. co-leaders, prepared an excellent power point presentation which covered why KURE started at F.F.S.S., the goals of K.U.R.E., how they recruit members and leaders, how often they meet, their successes and challenges, and what works and what doesn't. The group described some of the many activities that they have organized and participated in over the past seven years, including:
- Caps On Discrimination, Hands On the Wall, Donuts Don't Discriminate
- Coffee Houses, Food Drives, Karaoke in the Caf, What's In a Label?
- Celebrating Abilities Day with the CL Class, lunches with the CL Class
- Creating the Stimulation Room, Hosting a School Club Fair
- Fundraising for Teens on the Go, Five Counties Children's Centre, Women's Resources and Friends of Honduran Children
- Hosted a celebration for Community Living Kawartha Lake's 45th anniversary and created a square for the anniversary quilt
Bonnie Roe, K.U.R.E.'s staff mentor from Community Living, gave an overview of how K.U.R.E. originated seven years ago through the support of Community Living Kawartha Lakes and start-up funding from the It takes A Village Project (of the Ontario Association for Community Living). Said Bonnie, "We are so proud of your continued pursuit of inclusion and your respect for each other's differences and similarities. You are incredibly insightful young people who have not only made a difference in making Fenelon Falls Secondary School a more welcoming and friendly school community, but will also make the world a better place now and after you graduate."
The day ended with a tour of K.U.R.E.'s Hands on the Wall murals, comprised of hundreds of different coloured handprints depicting the various types of discrimination.
For more information about K.U.R.E., call Bonnie Roe at (705) 328-0502 ext. 218.
Story by Bonnie Roe, Coordinator of Family Supports - Transition Age Youth / Building Bridges.
This & That
Besides travel to and from Fenelon Falls, K.U.R.E. has been busy with a number of other initiatives:
- K.U.R.E. facilitated an assembly for grade 9 and 10 students at the high school. The assembly featured information about the variety of clubs and extra curricular activities open to students at Fenelon Falls Secondary School.
- K.U.R.E. hosted an anti-bullying workshop at the high school. The workshop featured the anti-bullying group, Go Night Flight, who presented their message through rap music and audience participation. Besides sharing their anti-bullying message, the group also emphasized the importance of respecting one another and building self-esteem.
- K.U.R.E. hosted a bake sale to raise money for the United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes during their most recent campaign.
- K.U.R.E. held another 'Donuts don't discriminate' event in the cafeteria to raise awareness about inclusion.
- K.U.R.E. hosted 'Free Hugs', an awareness activity where students wear signs at lunchtime offering free hugs. The activity promotes respect and caring in the school.
- K.U.R.E. participated again in the annual Santa Claus parade in Fenelon Falls.
For more information about K.U.R.E., call Bonnie Roe at (705) 328-0502 ext. 218.
Building Bridges keeps on building
Bonnie Roe, Coordinator of Family Supports - Transitional Age Youth / Building Bridges presented this year at Community Living Ontario's annual conference. Bonnie's presentation focused on Building Bridges, which helps young people (17 to 21 years of age) with an intellectual challenge to plan for the transition from high school to life in their community after graduation.
Bonnie talked about the history of Building Bridges and how it resulted from the work of four organizations - including Community Living Kawartha Lakes (then the Victoria County Association for Community Living) - coming together 10 years ago to form the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) committee. The committee worked to address the needs of young people in transition from school to work and community living and has grown to include more than a dozen organizations from across the four counties. (For more information about the Transitional Age Youth Committee, click here.)
Bonnie discussed the principles of the Building Bridges program, including teamwork, person-centred planning and family support. Bonnie also shared with the audience the current work of Building Bridges and the challenges to be faced in the future. She emphasized that creative planning is more vital than ever as fewer and fewer dollars are available to support families and individuals. Building Bridges provides families with valuable support identifying and accessing community resources.
...and building...
The Five Counties Children's Centre recently invited Bonnie to present to the therapists at the Centre. Bonnie was pleased to accept the invitation and talked to the Centre staff about her role with Building Bridges and the vital importance of a team approach to planning. Bonnie will also be meeting with the Department Heads of Special Education at the Trillium Lakelands District School Board this June to talk about incorporating a team approach to transition planning.
Bonnie is not the only one spreading the word about Building Bridges. Ryan - who received support from Building Bridges when he graduated from high school - joined her recently to talk to the PALS (Practical Academics Life Skills) class at Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute. Ryan talked about how planning helped him when he was finishing up at high school and what he has been doing since his graduation. He shared stories about his employment, community involvement and living on his own with the support of the Foundations program.
For more information about Building Bridges, call Bonnie Roe at (705) 328-0502 ext. 218.
Employment opportunity - ODSP Job Coach
Sorry - Opportunities Filled
Community Living Kawartha Lakes currently has employment opportunities in our Job Quest division. The positions available are casual, part-time. Click below to view our job posting and related links.
The show is on the house!
People supporting individuals with disabilities can go to the movies for free with the Access 2 EntertainmentTM card. The card provides free for support persons accompanying a person with a disability to movie theatres across Canada.
The person with the disability - or his or her legal guardian - must apply for the Access 2 EntertainmentTM card and must agree to follow the terms and conditions set out for use of the card.
This program was developed by an advisory group of nine national disability organizations in conjunction with Cineplex Entertainment. For more information or to apply for the card, visit the Access 2 EntertainmentTM website.
New plan coming in 2008
Information about Canada's Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is now available on online. The plan allows funds to be invested tax-free until withdrawal. Similar to a Registered Education Savings Plan, the Registered Disability Savings Plan is intended to help parents and others save for the long-term financial security of a child with a disability. Visit the Canada Revenue Agency website for more details.
Keep on learning at Durham College
Durham College is offering an exciting new program to individuals with intellectual challenges. Community Integration through Co-operative Education (CICE) will help students to learn valuable employment skills through an integrated and supported educational setting and career-related, supervised field placements. The two-year program launches this September (2007) and is offered to individuals with intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, mental health issues and other learning challenges.
"Among the program goals are full inclusion of CICE students in all aspects of college life; providing the opportunity for the development of increased self-esteem; promoting the opportunity to make choices; presenting students with opportunities to interact and develop friendships; encouraging students to work co-operatively with other students towards educational goals; combining resources to meet the individual needs of a diverse range of students; and broadening employment opportunities." (Source: Durham College website)
Click here to for more information about the program.
