Windsor-Essex Family Network
7025 Enterprise Way N8T 3N6 Windsor, ON, Canada

First session is coming up next week on Thursday, January 28th!

As caregivers, we often hear this advice: Recharge your battery. Fill your tank. Put on your oxygen mask first. Yeahwe get it. But after eleven months of COVID...-19 life, we’re exhausted. Self-care feels like one more thing to do. Why Self Care NOW? It’s essential. In this prolonged state of fear and uncertainty, we’re left in a state of hyper-arousal or constant stress. The impact? You may find yourself feeling tired, forgetful, distracted or irritable. You might experience hives, stomach problems or headache. And long-term stress can lead to depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue or other health issues. What helps? Scheduling frequent bouts of daily self-care can help you rechargeeven during a pandemic. Check out our Covid-19 Self-Care Tips: https://www.planningnetwork.ca/re/self-care-during-covid-19

FREE upcoming School Entry events! Families in Windsor and Essex County: Registering a child living with disabilities for kindergarten? We know the transition process may seem overwhelming. Come out for a FREE virtual learning event to learn more about the steps to transitioning your child into school, and how to partner with educators. Each family attending will be sent a "parent tips" booklet and other resources after the event! Information sessions will be held: Evening Se...ssion Thurs. Jan. 28 from 6:30-8pm Morning Session Tues. Feb. 2 from 9:30-11am Be sure to pre-register in time to receive a Zoom link! To register, go to our website at https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/ (See flyer for more details)

Our first FREE School Entry event is coming up this Thursday, Jan. 28th from 6:30-8pm! Registering a child living with disabilities for kindergarten? We know the transition process may seem overwhelming. Come out for a FREE virtual learning event to learn more about the steps to transitioning your child into school, and how to partner with educators. Each family attending will be sent a "parent tips" booklet and other resources after the event! Can't make it this Thursday? We also have a morning session on Tues. Feb. 2 from 9:30-11am. Pre-register for either session at https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/

LAST DAY TO REGISTER for the My Home My Choice Jan. 20 event happening THIS Wednesday! Register here: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/ Interested but can't make it to this event? Send us an email and we'll keep you in the loop about our upcoming series happening in February and March!

A My Home My Choice 2021 Virtual Series Begins . . . Wednesday, Jan. 20th 6:30-8:00pm Register by Monday, Jan. 18... Affordable Living! An event for people, families and friends. Learn about the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) & More: Portable housing benefits intended to increase the affordability of rental housing and assist low-income households in Windsor and Essex County; learn how to be prepared to access benefits as they become available in the future. Family Stories: Two people, two different paths, different learnings, visions and goals. Main story: My journey to reaching the goal of a ‘nice’ affordable apartment and a full life. Virtual series continues Wednesdays. Come any date! You do not have to attend all events or have attended a previous event to participate. Register at https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/

"Tyler Borjas will now be able to vote, buy a house or travel when he wants. That’s because a judge agreed earlier this month that Borjas, 25, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, is capable of making his own decisions. (It) was amazing, Borjas said of the virtual hearing. It’s all about me getting my rights back. ... " See the shared link to read about Tyler's full story! Great share from Inclusion Press!

December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities! Check out this post from the United Nations:

Today is #GivingTuesdayCA! The community needs us more than ever. If you can, a dollar or two can go a long way.

SUPPORT FOR READING & WRITING Wed. November 25, 2020 6:30-8:00pm Join us for this next virtual learning event ... it's coming up soon! This is for families who are trying to support their students/family members reading in school and at home. There will be lots of opportunities for questions and answers as we learn about the Read&Write program together. ... Register by Monday at: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/.

Register at: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/ Do you know or suspect your teen is using alcohol or drugs? Have you noticed things with your teen or young adult such as: Substance use has increased during Covid?... It’s impacting their schooling? Seeing mood swings along with changes in behavior? They have lost interest in activities they once enjoyed? Dropping old friends for new ones? They’re acting: despondent or aggressive and out of character, sleeping more than usual, breaking rules, exhibiting physical changes like nose bleeds or weight loss? Changes that are affecting the whole family? You are wondering if this is just a phase, or if it’s becoming a problem? If you are asking yourself any of these questions, you may find answers at this session! Join us on Nov. 23rd for a virtual Q & A with a mental health and addictions counsellor who'll provide insight into these behaviours and the recommendations parents or caregivers could take to mitigate the effects on the whole family. The session is designed just for families and caregivers of young people who are using and/or abusing alcohol and drugs. For more info, see flyer at the registration link above.

Teenage Substance Abuse Mon. Nov. 23 from 6:30-8:00pm Register by Sun. Nov. 22 Click here to register: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/

Completing the Ironman wasn’t an automatic goal that Chris had in mind, but it came after a discussion Chris had with his family about wanting to live independently. His dad suggested Chris do something big in order to achieve his dreams. And thus, the goal of completing the Ironman was born! What's next on the list? Chris has plans to participate in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii next year. Though we're looking forward to seeing Chris achieve his goal of being a homeowner and living independently!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED Register by tomorrow, Tues. Nov. 17 A NIGHT OF INSPIRATION: For Families Navigating High School Wed. Nov. 18 from 7:00-8:00pm... Is your son or daughter heading into high school or are they in high school now? Do they have an IEP and/or live with a disability? Are they thinking about the future and after high school? Do they have a vision for their life? Be prepared to be inspired by different stories: one about the importance of a vision and how that helps move life forward, and another by a dynamic student sharing her high school experience. Learn about other high school stories from Windsor-Essex. Join us VIRTUALLY on Wed. Nov. 18, 2020 for this free learning event. https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/

This is the last weekend to register for our high school night! Registration has been extended to Tues. Nov. 17: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/

REGISTRATION EXTENDED! Register by Tues. Nov. 24 Supports for Reading and Writing Wed. Nov. 25 from 6:30-8pm Join us on Wednesday and learn about the ‘Read&Write’ program: an easy to use, but powerful literacy program. This program is installed on every device in the WECDSB and all of the SEA claim laptops in the GECDSB. ‘Read&Write’ is used for all learners - emerging readers to post-secondary graduates! ... THERE ARE STILL SPOTS LEFT! As an intimate learning opportunity, there will be lots of time for questions and answers as you learn how to use the Read&Write program. You will have the opportunity to play around with the program, and ask questions in real-time. See the comments for the flyer OR click the link to get more details and to register for this session: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/

Today We Remember

Today is the LAST day to register for our Nov. 12 virtual session for families! There is still space left! Learn about iPad accessibility features and learning apps that have been carefully chosen because they are easily accessible. Register here: https://windsoressexfamnet.ca/upcoming-events/