Community Living Centres Inc.
5511 Charles Street b3k1k1 Halifax, NS, Canada

Staying connected, and maintaining wellness through this is key, however it is not always an easy thing to do. There's no proverbial handbook for maintaining wellness through a pandemic, but it's important enough to us and the health of our communities that we've put together some helpful things to do in this time of social distancing and isolation.

Executive Director of Community Living Centres - Ezra Wexler and Supervisor Jonah Epstein break the ice in this: our first podcast episode. We discuss a little about what we do here at Community Living Centres. Have a listen, and let us know what you think in the comments.

Merry Christmas from the staff at Community Living Centres to you and your family

Each year we write out Christmas cards to our clients. We talk about the things they've accomplished this year and how much we've enjoyed working with them. It's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year with them and it is a highlight of the season for us.

Everyone could use a little extra help around Christmas time. This includes in the mental health world where the expectation is increased calls for support and care. It is a hard time. If you are caring for a loved one, make sure that they and you are both getting the care that you need this season. https://www.cbc.ca//mental-health-support-christmas-1.5389

Have you met Jonah? We’ve been slowly introducing you to some of our staff and today we wanted to share with you why Jonah Epstein does what he does. Q: What made you want to work in this field. A: After over a decade of teaching children with disabilities, I wanted to learn more about supports for adults with disabilities. Working with CLC marries my passion for education and disability support with concrete opportunities to help successfully integrate people into their ...community. . Q: Do you have a favourite moment from your work and if so what is it? A: My favorite moment has been moving a new resident into a small option home. To be able to provide someone with the chance to live in their community and get the freedom and independence they deserve with whatever level of support they need is extremely gratifying. . Q: What is the hardest part of your job? A: When things don’t go the way you hoped. We want everyone to be successful and be able to provide endless support, but that isn’t always possible, Q: What are you most looking forward to for the next year at CLC. A: Opening new small option homes for youth. To be able to provide them with a chance to continue to grow and live in a positive, constructive, and supportive environment. . Are you excited about what you do? Are you passionate about community building and helping people live full lives? That’s what excites us. See more

What's your favourite mental health podcast? What podcasts are you listening to and why? Podcasting has absolutely exploded in the last few years. Are you listening to anyone or anything that really moves you?

When's the last time you wrote a letter or card? I mean, really wrote something. Not just a simple thank you. Something real. Each year we hand write cards to all of our staff and residents. We typically share together some of our favourite memories or celebrate a recent achievement (we have a lot to celebrate). It's important to take the time to celebrate and to show people that you care.

Have you met Stephanie? We wanted to introduce you to some of our new team members. We asked Stephanie a few questions. Here's what she had to say. ... What made you want to work in this field. I take great pride in caring and supporting those compromised by Mental Illness, watching them be fulfilled and succeed in the community is the ultimate goal. I’ve worked as an LPN in Mental Health for over 25 years. Do you have a favourite moment from your work and if so what is it? It has been wonderful meeting the new residents, I am very much looking forward to the moment they are all moved into their new homes. I’m sure that will be my favourite moment! What is the hardest part of your job? I appreciate all that is involved in opening these homes but for sure the hardest part of the job so far is the waiting. I’m very eager to have these young men and women settled into their homes. What are you most looking forward to for the next year at CLC. Opening of our Youth Division!

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Our residents, not to mention our staff, are getting incredibly excited about our upcoming Christmas Party. It's an opportunity for our residents to celebrate the year together but it's also an opportunity to for our staff to serve. We work side by side all year, working together to help our residents achieve their goals but the Christmas Party is a chance to truly celebrate them.

We work with a number of businesses and organizations, helping place residents in programs that offer meaningful work. Our mission is to connect our residents with the world in ways that work best for them. Our work is focused on helping them be their best. Over the coming weeks, we'll be highlighting some of these partner organizations. Please make sure you follow them and support the work that they do.

Winter is coming. No, we're not talking about a new prequel or sequel to Game of Thrones. We mean actual winter. A few of our residents have decided that winter offers a certain entrepreneurial opportunity. So they've saved up for shovels and put up posters around the neighborhood offering their services when the snow comes. ... We love to encourage our residents to get out in the community.

Halifax continues to be working hard to promote mental health. Check out this event.

The elephant in the room is not that the food and beverage industry has a mental health problem but rather than mental health is an issue that we should be talking about across the board. We often deal with hotspots rather than making support generally accessible. https://www.theglobeandmail.com//article-food-and-beverag/

As we put more supports in place, we're able to help individuals of varying degrees of ability and social interaction continue to grow. More support. https://www.cbc.ca//new-mental-health-resource-helps-1st-y

https://www.spectrumnews.org//the-deep-emotional-ties-bet/

We need to work hard to ensure that marginalized groups receive the support they need. This is great. https://www.halifaxtoday.ca//dal-sociologist-seeks-to-inte

Over the years, we've helped a number of individuals with Autism develop healthy relationships. We love programs like this. https://www.thecoast.ca//autism-nova-scotias-heal/Content

CMHA National / ACSM National is such an important organization and their impact on PEI is sure to be felt in the mental health community. https://www.cbc.ca//pei-montague-canadian-mental-health-as