Community Living Essex County
372 Talbot St N N8M2W4 Essex, ON, Canada

Thank you to all of the amazing, dedicated direct support professionals here at Community Living Essex County!

Join CAMH for a virtual course for caregivers: Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID-19. To learn more and to register visit: https://edc.camhx.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=JFFKMKTDPT

A membership will provide you with a voice as we respond to local and provincial challenges. You also benefit by being kept up-to-date through our newsletter and e-mail updates. Join today at https://communitylivingessex.org/get-invol/become-a-member/

Ron loves cars and enjoys attending events when possible. Sometimes the location of the event makes it difficult for Ron to attend. Ron, along with other local car enthusiasts, is supporting the petition to build a drag race strip in Windsor.

Madison's friends, Heather, Jason, Julie and Lesley delivered a drive-by birthday message for Madison's 25th birthday! Happy birthday, Madison! We hope you had a wonderful day!

Join CAMH for a six-week virtual mental health course for family caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities during COVID. Visit https://edc.camhx.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=JFFKMKTDPT to register and for more info.

Did you know we are a a non-profit, registered charitable organization? Donate at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/giv3/17996 All donations made between December 1-December 24 are being matched, dollar for dollar, by Libro Credit Union in Essex County, up to $8000!

Heather and Julie are getting in the holiday spirit by decorating their Christmas tree and making a beautiful gingerbread house! Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? Let us know in the comments!

There is still time to register for the VIRTUAL Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel! Sign up alone or as a team today! Visit https://bit.ly/3nSYKyc to sign up today! Thank you to our event partner Ken Knapp Ford! Already registered? Let us know in the comments!

Have you been following along with REC Health & Fitness's Couch to 5K video series? It's not to late to start training for the Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel! Sign up for the virtual event here: https://bit.ly/38Da7pm

Are you taking part in the VIRTUAL Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel this weekend? Send us your photos or tag us at @clessexcounty on Instagram so we can share them on our social channels!

Join Community Living Ontario for a FREE Webinar: The Disability Tax Credit Your Key to Unlocking Federal Benefits. See details below.

LAST CHANCE Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel registration ends today at 4pm! Join the over 300 people who have already signed up, and participate this weekend - anywhere, anytime! Sign up at https://bit.ly/39wvDNb

Thinking about college next year? Join us online on Saturday, November 21st at 10:00am.

December 3rd is International Day of Persons With Disabilities. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all areas of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. Visit https://bit.ly/2JNgRH6 to learn more.

Have you registered for the Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel yet? Early bird pricing is only $25 if you register before October 31! https://bit.ly/37fQPWq The Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel offers a 2K walk/run, a 5K walk/run, and a 10K run! Participate anywhere and anytime between December 4-7, 2020!

Have you registered yet? Sign up before October 31 to take advantage of early bird pricing!

We are saying goodbye to 2020 with a Holiday Raffle! We want you to start 2021 off right! Order your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3qkrr97 You could win: Hot Tub Spa ($9800 value) $5000 Cash ... 55 inch Samsung TV ($600 value) EARLY BIRD PRIZE: Barbeque ($400 value) Tickets are $25 each or 3 for $60. Only 1200 tickets available! All proceeds from our Holiday Raffle help us to provide supports and services to over 650 people of all ages in Essex County with an intellectual disability and their families. Lottery License M820791

Congratulations to Jennifer, who received her 20 year milestone award at a recent team meeting! Thank you for being a dedicated Community Living Essex County employee!

Tomorrow, October 27, is #DressPurpleDay2020! Help organizations, such as Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society, raise awareness of the supports available to families!

Since 2011, we have been partnering with the University of Windsor University of Windsor Kinesiology and Adapted Physical Exercise - APEX Research Group to provide an inclusive, community based adapted physical exercise program.

Ron stopped by the Town of Essex to see their fall decorations! Have you checked them out yet? #essexfallphoto

Join us on Facebook LIVE Friday evening at 7pm for our Apple Peeling Contest! Local dignitaries, including mayors from across Essex County, will face off on Zoom to see who can peel the longest continuous apple peel! . . . .... Nelson Santos - Mayor of Kingsville Mayor Tom Bain Mayor Hilda MacDonald Mayor Gary McNamara - Town of Tecumseh Mayor Aldo DiCarlo - Town of Amherstburg - Town Hall News Mayor Mark Bondy - Town of LaSalle Taras Natyshak - Essex Chris Lewis MP See more

Last night, locations across Essex County joined nearly 30 other locations across Ontario in lighting up blue and purple in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Thanks go out to the Town of Amherstburg - Town Hall News, for lighting up Town Hall, to the Essex County Library branch in the Municipality of Leamington for lighting up your sign, to RONA for lighting up the Garden Centre, to Ken Knapp Ford for lighting up their front entrance, and to the City of Windsor - Municipal Government for lighting up City Hall!

Darcy picked out a pumpkin at a local farm stand earlier this week! Have you started decorating your porch or house for fall yet?

Registration is live for the Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel! Follow along on the event page for information and updates!

Our Ruthven Apple Festival Online Vendor Market is now LIVE! See listings from some of your favourite festival vendors from across Essex County! Check it out at: https://communitylivingessex.org//r/online-vendors-market/

Announcing the Ruthven Apple Festival Kids Colouring Contest! Visit www.ruthvenapplefestival.com for more info and download the image under Kids Activities!

Cathy checked out the beautiful fall decorations outside of the Town of Essex Town Hall! They look great! #essexfallphoto

We’re wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We're hiring Direct Support Workers for locations across Essex County! We are a progressive agency, offering a wide range of supports and services to people with an intellectual disability. Visit https://communitylivingessex.org/job-opportunities/ for more information and to apply.

Join Community Living Chatham-Kent for a FREE virtual workshop on October 21: Supporting Individuals who have Autism. Please RSVP to Jodi Skipper at [email protected].

Gerry had a great time checking out the tractors at the Essex County Steam and Gas Museum on Saturday! What a great way to spend a beautiful day!

It's October 22nd and Essex County is lighting it up blue and purple! We'll be sharing photos of landmarks across the county lighting up in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

We're excited to announce that the 2020 Jingle Bell Run, Walk & Wheel is going virtual this year! Stay tuned for more info about how you can participate!

Konnor enjoyed the beautiful fall weather we've been having, and went apple picking at Thiessen Apple Orchards! Have you gone apple picking yet this year?

Take a few minutes to check out the latest edition of Update Friday from Community Living Ontario. Have a great weekend!

Have you registered for the 2020 Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel yet? Join us and Ken Knapp Ford for a virtual take on this annual event! Registration is only $25 if you register before October 31! This year you can run, walk or wheel anywhere, anytime between Dec 4-7! Register at https://bit.ly/37oqRAe

*SOLD OUT* Thank you to everyone who purchased a basket! There are still delicious apple pies and Ruthven Apple Fest merchandise available online! We only have a few baskets left! Visit shop.communitylivingessex.org to get yours! All of your Apple Festival favourites - a value of over $100 for only $50! Order online and we'll deliver to your doorstep the week of September 28. Proceeds help us purchase accessible vehicles for people with an intellectual disability in Essex County.

Community Living York South is hosting a virtual CICE (Community Integration Through Cooperative Education) College Fair on October 24. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the CICE program. Register online at https://bit.ly/3iqFLI1

This year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) theme is The Power of Inclusion. Do you know about the business benefits of disability-inclusive hiring? #EngageTalentt #NDEAM2020 #ThePowerofInclusion https://www.odenetwork.com/resources/ndeam

Microboards Ontario is announcing a fall series of virtual courses, delivered via Zoom. To see the full course agenda, visit: https://bit.ly/2FO4gBK To register for the first course Microboards 103: Legal Aspects You Need to Know with Brendon Pooran from PooranLaw, held on Wednesday November 4th, 1:00-3:00 pm, visit: https://bit.ly/2FL5rSt... A Microboard is a group of committed family and friends who join together with a person who has a disability to create a supportive not-for-profit corporation.

Just because we can’t be together doesn’t mean we can’t join together. While Kick-Off may be different than in the past, our mission has never been stronger or ...more urgent. Join us tomorrow, right here for a Facebook Watch Party, from Noon-1pm. By viewing this special event on Facebook, you can help us raise awareness and provide urgently needed services and programs. In fact, for every Facebook view, our official Campaign sponsor, Local 444 Unifor will generously donate $5 to this year's campaign*. So, just by joining the Watch Party, you can help your community. It couldn't be easier - or more important. Show your local love and tag a friend who would be interested in this event!

Nothing says fall like a fresh-baked apple pie! Order online and pick up at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens on Saturday, October 3rd. Visit shop.communitylivingessex.org to shop! Proceeds help us purchase accessible vehicles for people with an intellectual disability in Essex County! Thank you toMomma Bear's Bakery in Kingsville for baking our pies this year!

Austin at Ken Knapp Ford is breaking down what a VIRTUAL Jingle Bell Run, Walk, Wheel means! Check it out!

We are hiring part-time direct support workers for locations across Essex County. Visit our website for the full job posting and to apply: https://communitylivingessex.org/footer/job-opportunities/.

Ruthie Van Apple is helping us out today with our Pie Thru at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens! Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered an apple pie online and thank you to Momma Bear's Bakery for baking all of our delicious pies this year!

We are SO excited to announce that you can now shop the Ruthven Apple Festival online! Get your very own 'Ruthven Apple Festival in a Basket', apple pies and Ruthven Apple Festival merchandise! Visit shop.communitylivingessex.org now! Be one of the first 20 people to purchase a basket, and receive a free 9" mum!

Thank you Thiessen Apple Orchards for donating 100 bags of apples for our sold out Ruthven Apple Festival baskets!

Congratulations Gwyn! Gwyn is the winner of our Ruthven Apple Festival Colouring Contest, and will receive a gift card to Mastermind Toys! Thank you to everyone who participated in the colouring contest!

Even though we won't be seeing Ruthie van Apple in person at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens this year, she's excited to remind you to save the date for our 41st Ruthven Apple Festival (Virtual) - September 26-27!

We're wishing all of the local crossing guards a great start to the school year next week! Ryan, pictured below, receives Employment Supports through Career Compass and is a dedicated crossing guard with the Municipality of Leamington!

What is a Virtual Apple Festival? Some of the exciting activities & features we have planned include: Online Vendor Market Virtual Car Show Online shop - purchase 'Apple Festival in a Basket', apple pies and Apple Festival merchandise!... Online Cooking Classes Musical performances by your favourite local performers & lots more! See more

Believe in a system where children and youth have the mental health support they need. Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is asking parents and caregivers who have used CYMH services in Windsor/Essex how to better our local system. Take the 10-minute survey today! https://bit.ly/2YLHFfp

Happy Friday everyone! Take a few minutes to check out the latest edition of Update Friday from Community Living Ontario!

Thank you to the Windsor Star for helping us spread the word about the 41st Ruthven Apple Festival (Virtual)!

Thank you to Jim's Division TIRECRAFT Kingsville for sponsoring our Ruthven Apple Festival Virtual Car Show! Are you following along on our 41st Ruthven Apple Festival (Virtual) event page? Check it out for updates and information!

Join the Developmental Services Ontario - DSO team Tuesday evening for a free webcast about transitioning from youth to adult services.

Ray has been busy tending to his garden all summer long, and has used many of his vegetables in recipes. Last week he chose to use his tomatoes to make and jar some salsa!

Have you heard the news? The #RuthvenAppleFestival is going virtual, with all proceed to Community Living Essex County! Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates and announcements!

Last month, we dropped off cold, tasty treats to our homes across Essex County for the people receiving supports & staff to enjoy! Here are Janice, Nancy, and Cathy, along with their support worker Kim, enjoying their frozen yogurt!

Take a few minutes to check out the latest edition of Update Friday from Community Living Ontario. Enjoy your weekend!

We are hiring direct support workers to work part-time in various locations throughout Essex County! Check out our website for more information and to apply: https://communitylivingessex.org/footer/job-opportunities/

Sometimes it's just too hot to go outside! Marlene beat the heat with a fun indoor activity - tie dye! Check out the awesome t-shirt she made!

WOW! What a fun way to celebrate a physically distanced birthday! Joshua celebrated his birthday earlier this week, and was surprised with 450 balloons (all blown up with a small air compressor!)! Happy birthday Joshua!

Earlier this week, Lauri celebrated her birthday with a drive-by birthday celebration! Over 20 cars with friends and family drove by to wish Lauri a happy birthday!

The Ruthven Apple Festival is going virtual! Stay tuned for exciting announcements in the coming weeks!

Today is World Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Our As Safe As Possible modules are available online at communitylivingessex.org/asap. As Safe As Possible aims to educate the people we support about how to stay safe from crimes of exploitation and human trafficking, and police and justice personnel about the abilities and needs of people with an intellectual disability. In this video, Constable Burt of the OPP talks about the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries in your life.

Until this past March, Andrew enjoyed being a part of our Community Participation supports in Tecumseh, 5 days per week. This involved going to the gym, library, volunteering in the community, bowling, and lots of other fun and interesting activities. Andrew lives in a rest home, and has been on lock down since COVID-19 hit. Andrew's mom works at the hospital in Windsor, and because of this, he worries about her. Even though Andrew is really proud of her, it is also difficult for him to not see or talk to her. Recently Andrew received a tablet and was able to create a Facebook account. Now Andrew can connect with his mom and siblings! He uses Facebook Messenger regularly to message and video chat with his mom.

Congratulations are in order for Celine! She just received her graduation from St. Clair College for successfully completing the CICE program! She shared the wonderful news with family and friends over FaceTime.