Our Love to Give Popcorn Fundraiser is Back!

Order Now Through January 25th!

Love popcorn and giving back? Place your order now through January 25 at the link below and pick up your order in time for Family Day, Super Bowl Sunday, and Valentine's Day!

Choose from seven delicious flavours!

All proceeds from this fundraiser will be directed to a new bursary for high school students in Essex County pursuing a career in the Developmental Services Sector!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy 20th birthday, Jade! Jade recently celebrated her big day with her mom, dad, and support staff.

An Update from Career Compass

Meet Ryan, a dedicated crossing guard who has been helping people cross the street safely since 2014. He takes great pride in his work and finds joy in seeing the children come to school every day. Ryan loves getting to know their faces and names, and the best part of his job is watching them grow up from when they are small to their graduation day. The high school students often stop by to have a chat with Ryan. He is an integral part of the community and is appreciated by all who know him.

WISHING

TOGETHER WE’RE A DREAM TEAM

Well, it’s the second week in January on our way into 2024. Have you made a wish list?

We at Ensemble have made OUR wish list, and guess what? You’re on it! “Why?”, you ask yourself. You’re at the top of our wish list!

ENSEMBLE’S WISH LIST FOR 2024

1.    Reach out and connect with Essex County families.

2.    Find out what issues are top of mind.

3.    Search for resources to address families’ needs and wants.

4.    Provide opportunities for families to socialize and share.

5.    Develop the next steps to address the issues raised.

6.    Continue to share resource opportunities based on families’ most current concerns.

7.    Connect like-minded families.

HOW?

1.    Hearing from YOU - via email, social media, or telephone.

2.    Continuing to provide new venues and events that will connect families.

We’ve shared Ensemble’s wish list for 2024. Now it’s your turn! How can we better provide you with useful resources that will deliver opportunities that will open doors to new possibilities for your family member with intellectual disabilities?

The time is NOW, and the critical puzzle piece is YOU! Connect with Ensemble, together we have the potential to be a dream team!

Together - brighter days are ahead!

Marilyn, Ensemble Family Consultant and the Advisory Committee

mgodard@ensembleunderstands.com or 519-776-6483, ext. 225

Join Us and Become an E-Bingo Volunteer!

Community Living Essex County is looking for volunteers for our e-bingo volunteer shifts at Breakaway Gaming Centre in Windsor. The proceeds raised from e-bingo helps Community Living Essex County to purchase fuel and maintain vehicles for people with an intellectual disability that we support to get to and from work, volunteer opportunities and participate in leisure activities throughout Essex County. Check out our video to learn more and then email tony@communitylivingessex.org to sign up!

Volunteers receive a $25 gas card to cover transportation costs!

We Are Hiring and We Need Your Help!

Career Compass Employer Referral Program

Partners 4 Planning

FREE Webcast

The Henson Trust and Trustee Considerations

If your loved one with a disability requires financial help with basic living expenses, including medical expenses, they could be eligible for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Understanding how this program works and how to maintain it alongside other financial resources will ensure the person continues to receive this support for as long as he or she may need it.

In this webcast, disability expert & advocate Graeme Treeby of the Special Needs Planning Group and Guelph Financial provides an introductory overview of the Ontario Disability Support Program.

Topics include:

How to qualify and apply for ODSP

Definition of disability under ODSP

ODSP asset exemptions and regulations

Employment Supports and how working impacts benefits

January 28, 2024 at 7 pm

#5toSurvive Campaign

Letter Writing Campaign

Inadequate funding is threatening Developmental Services and the people who rely on them. Join us in calling on the Government of Ontario to provide an immediate 5% increase to base funding, including Passport and Special Services at Home! #5ToSurvive

Organizations, just like ours, whose mission is to support people to live inclusive lives are being starved of the resources they need just to keep the heat and lights on, put gas in their accessible vehicles, buy food to feed people, and try to find qualified staff during a human resource crisis. In the face of rising inflation and skyrocketing costs, it is becoming impossible to meet the needs of the people they are committed to supporting. This is putting people’s lives at risk.

Community Living Essex County has been in direct contact with local MPPs and the Minister of Finance, we've submitted our letters, but we need YOU to strengthen our message. Please let our government know that developmental services have been neglected for too long. It will only take a few minutes of your time but each letter will have a huge impact!

To ensure our voices are heard, the link provided below will direct you to a pre-drafted letter that will be electronically sent to your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). Feel free to customize the letter to articulate your thoughts on the matter.

Community Living Ontario's Together We're Better Contest

Get ready for the 2024 Together We're Better Contest! February marks Inclusive Education Month, and students in grades 1 to 12 across Ontario, are encouraged to participate. Form a team of at least two people and submit a creative media entry (video, song, photo collage, story, TikTok, etc.) showcasing how your school actively supports the inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities. Check out resources for inclusive education at inclusiveeducation.ca and get inspiration from last year's winners by clicking HERE.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 16^th at 11:59 pm. Don't miss the chance to win Best Buy gift cards: 1st place - $1000, 2nd place - $500, 3rd place - $250. If you have any questions, email contest@communitylivingontario.ca. Let's celebrate inclusion together!

Winter Bites Restaurant Week

For the first time since 2020, the popular Winter Bites Restaurant Week, hosted by WindsorEats, is back and provides yet another reason to dine out in Windsor and beyong!

Participants can dine on prix-fixe menus that range from $20 – $85. Each restaurant will offer a unique Winter Bites menu where diners can select from a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Lance Burton Live

On Thursday, January 18 at 8pm, Master magician and celebrated Las Vegas performer Lance Burton is set to mystify audiences from The Colosseum stage at Caesars Windsor for an ALL AGES show.

Sean Kenney’s Animal Super Powers LEGO Exhibit

Mark your Calendars! Next Thursday, Jan. 25, Sean Kenney’s Animal Super Powers Made with LEGO® Bricks, an exhibition featuring awe-inspiring sculptures made from LEGO® bricks, is coming to the Event Centre at LaSalle Landing. Sean Kenney, Animal Super Powers showcases larger-than-life sculptures of creatures who have evolved to possess their very own “super powers” and invites guests to learn the science behind them.

General admission is $13 plus tax per person, ages three and up (prices online show the total cost including tax, $14.69 per ticket ).Tickets will also be available at the door once the exhibit opens. The exhibit will be on display starting Thursday, January 25 to Saturday April 6, 2024.

Positive Thoughts

Must See T.V.

The Creator

In this epic sci-fi action thriller, humanity goes to war against artificial intelligence. Now streaming on Disney +.

Throwback Thursday

In this week's Throwback Thursday, we're revisiting a heartwarming moment with Lorraine standing proudly in front of one of Community Living's bus stop advertisements that reads, "My place is in the community with you!" This powerful reminder echoes the sentiment that we all belong together. Lorraine's photo captures not just a moment but a shared commitment to inclusivity and community bonds. Stay tuned to your newsletter for more snapshots that evoke the warmth of togetherness and connection from our past!

Recipe of the Week

Cranberry Cheesecake Shortbread Bars

These bars are part cheesecake, part shortbread and they're the perfect thing to make use of fresh cranberries before they disappear from grocery stores.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Weekly Poll Question

Poll Results

What's your favourite way to procrastinate?

Browsing the internet. ~ 55.9%

Watching T.V. ~ 17.6%

Other - 17.6%

Cleaning the House ~ 5.9%

Eating Snacks ~ 2.9%