Summer 2012

CL-NF = CONNECTIONS

Welcome to the summer edition of CL-NF=CONNECTIONS. This edition

shares stories that capture and celebrate the successes and achievements of

both the agency and the individuals we support. It reflects on the past, and

informs you of changes and ways that we are moving forward. Specifically

look for information regarding changes in personnel and the Ministry of Com-

munity and Social Services funding just to mention a few.

Stories of inspiration and success are happening everyday here at Community

Living –North Frontenac (CL-NF) as well as in each community across this

great province. I am pleased to be able to capture a handful of them to share

with you. Together we enhance the capacity of supported individuals, families,

and our community, to help create and maintain a rich and inclusive life for

everyone CL-NF provides support and services to.

I hope you enjoy this edition, and I encourage you to send in your story ideas

to estelle_clnf@frontenac.net so that we can continue to make this newsletter

a place to share experiences and new ideas.

Sincerely,

Dean Walsh

Executive Director

CL-NF Student Bursary

Stephanie Ferguson is this year’s recipient of the “CL-NF Student Bursary”.

In September she will be enrolled in the Child and Youth Worker Program at

St. Lawrence College. A cheque in the amount of $500.00 was presented to

Stephanie on June 26th, 2012. CONGRATULATIONS!

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Introducing New Employee - Marcel Quenneville

Marcel’s career has consisted of working with people for over 33 years. He

has accumulated extensive and varied experience from his roles as front line

staff, program supervisor and business owner. He is a Registered Rehabili-

tation Professional and pleased to belong to the College of Vocational Reha-

bilitation Professional. Marcel is a certified Solution

Focus Counselor and a certified Program and Com-

munity Developer who is fluently bilingual in French

and English.

Marcel has worked in the Social Service field as a

Child & Youth Worker and Program Manager in

both Ontario and Alberta. In 1990, he opened the

first office in Northern Ontario for the Huntington

Society of Canada; educating professionals and com-

munities while providing group counselling and sup-

port to individuals and their families.

While living near Sudbury, Marcel accepted a position as a Rehabilitation

Case Manager, which quickly became his passion. He worked for various re-

habilitation companies helping individuals injured in motor vehicle acci-

dents with their recovery and return to work or to their previous activities of

daily living. As the industry changed and many rehabilitation companies

folded, in 1998 he was asked by insurance adjusters to continue in the field

and to open his own business, something he had never considered. With the

support of his wife Mary-Lou, they opened On Track Support Services,

which continues to operate to this day. They had the great fortune to work

with the Auto and Life insurance companies and the Ontario Disability Sup-

port Program (ODSP)

In 2009, he had the privilege to attend and join the Ontario Board of the Vo-

cational Rehabilitation Association. He is very pleased to see various com-

mittees working hard to understand the needs of our members and to make

positive changes. He is involved with the Education Committee and pleased

again with the educational line up for the upcoming fall conference.

Marcel has volunteered for many years on various boards and as a commu-

nity volunteer. His role as the President of the Verona Community Associa-

tion from 2005 to 2011 provided him the opportunity to learn and manage

various local community activities and programs including the Verona Cat-

tail Festival, Christmas for Kids, Village Beautification, and Music in the

Park etc.

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In 2010, Marcel received a call from the Ontario March of Dimes in Kingston

and accepted a position as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist where he

worked helping individuals return to work under the programs of WSIB,

ODSP, OW, CCP and Can Vet.

In April 2012, Marcel accepted the position as a Manager of Support and Ser-

vices for Community Living North Frontenac. The focus is on assisting indi-

viduals with needs to be part of an inclusive environment that fosters respect

for individuals by having the opportunity to contribute, thrive and meet their

full potential. Our goals for the individuals we support is to have an equal op-

portunity to achieve independence and social acceptance. In the fall in 2012,

he will be supervising our Children Services program. Marcel indicated that

he would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff for their ongoing pro-

fessionalism, knowledge and the support they have provided to him thus far.

He stated that he "is committed to promote opportunities for professional de-

velopment, team development and looking forward to the future growth of CL-

NF”.

Treasure Trunk Tidbits

The Treasure Trunk is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year. Commu-

nity Living took over the store in 2006 and it has been growing ever since. We

are proud to celebrate on July 7 with door prizes, a cake and a free draw. Look

for the special ad in the North Frontenac paper.

We have been busy with training, volunteer jobs and creating new jobs for in-

dividuals we support this past year. The Treasure Trunk gives back to the

Community as much as possible. Money from sponsoring the Polar Plunge

went towards the Child Center and a raffle supported The Heritage Festival.

We also collect money for the Food Bank and The Children’s Christmas Fund.

I want to thank all the dedicated volunteers, staff and customers that have

helped us achieve our goals beyond our expectations.

A special thank you goes out to the Community for all

the great donations and support. We could not run the

Treasure Trunk without you.

Please come celebrate with us on July 7th.

Submitted by Janet Barr

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Bart Menard and Family Celebrates his 63rd Birthday

Most of us take family for granted. Taking the time to help a family member

celebrate special occasions is priceless. Bart is very grateful to have a strong

family bond. On June 10th, 2012 Bart celebrated his 63rd birthday at the lo-

cal Maples Restaurant. He was joined by his family and friends where they

enjoyed a good meal and cake. Bart received lots of gifts and feels fortunate to

have such a wonderful family. When asked what he enjoyed the most, he

could not just pick one thing. He said “I had fun because my family and

friends were there and I got a lot of gifts”. Bart has gained a sense of accep-

tance within his community. He has been calling Sharbot Lake his home for

the past 26 years.

Submitted by Vince Savoie

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Parents Thinking of the Future

From February to May of this year a small group of parents met at Commu-

nity Living – North Frontenac to participate in a book study. The book they

were studying, Safe and Secure – Six Steps to Creating a Good Life for Peo-

ple with Disabilities, was provided to Community Living free of charge by the

Law Society of Ontario and PLAN Toronto. The book examines the questions What will happen to my son/daughter with a disability when I die? Who will be there for

our relative after we are gone? Who will love them and keep them safe? Who will appre-

ciate them for who they are now and who will foster their abilities and gifts? Although

these questions may come to mind they are often pushed aside in order to

deal with day to day responsibilities. Parents often find it hard to take the

time to sit down and discuss with their relative what their future plans may

be or what their relative’s future may look like. There

are so many thoughts and worries about the future it is

difficult to know exactly how to go about planning for it

or where to start. It can be an overwhelming subject to

discuss.

The Safe and Secure book encourages parents to follow a

six step process to create a safe, secure and pleasant fu-

ture for their relatives with disabilities. The steps out-

lined are: clarify the vision; nurturing friendships, creat-

ing a home; making sound decisions, achieving financial

security and securing your plan.

During each book study session parents reviewed and discussed one step

(chapter) in detail. They also viewed video clips, from a companion CD, of

parents who have followed this planning process. At this confidential forum

many parents felt comfortable enough to openly share their hopes, dreams,

thoughts and fears as well as their knowledge and varying opinions. As each

session came to a close participants were given copies of the worksheets re-

lating to the topic and were encouraged to take them home, look at them, and

try to work through the questions. No pressure was applied to parents but

they were encouraged to actively participate and begin a dialogue at home

with their family and friends about the future.

Community Living - North Frontenac acknowledges that this is not an easy

process. The reality is that parents may not be able to find the time, or may

not be ready to undertake all of the steps at once. However, we wanted to be-

gin the dialogue and get families to start thinking about the future. Although

there are many positive changes in the developmental service sector (new So-

cial Inclusion legislation, RDSP’s, etc.) it is important that families realize

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the days of depending solely on government funded services for their family

member’s future support are gone. Families should try to have a multi-

faceted approach that centers on their relatives loving, caring relationships

with family and friends, and their meaningful involvements in the commu-

nity that that they are helped to develop and nurture throughout their lives.

Community Living – North Frontenac will be running this group again next

year with the hopes of introducing the book and planning processes to other

parents, and possibly reinvigorate those who attended this year. We are also

planning for the parents who participated in the Safe and Secure Book Study

this year to get together again this fall to further discuss the concepts men-

tioned in the Safe and Secure book and to share any steps they have taken so

far.

We would like to thank all of the parents who attended the book study ses-

sions and commend them for beginning to think about this difficult topic. We

would also like to give a special thank you to Nancy Miller who acted as a

parent leader/co-facilitator.

Submitted by Lillian Barker-Godfrey

Ladies Swim

Mondays are scheduled to go swim-

ming in Perth. At the indoor pool we do

different leg and arm strengthening

exercises using noodles and flutter

boards. Most of the people are regulars

so we get to know them and have a

great time.

Submitted by Lillian Clayton

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Community Living—North Frontenac Executive

Director Retires

In March 2012 after eighteen (18) years of dedicated and

continued service with Community Living-North Fronte-

nac, our Executive Director Don Nielsen enjoyed his

send off to retirement at the Maples Restaurant in Shar-

bot Lake. Don was a strong visionary/advocate for

change in the Community Living movement. Don will be

missed but never forgotten. We all hope he enjoys his re-

tirement.

Submitted by Dean Walsh

Annual BBQ

May is Community Living month. The celebration this year for our 4th annual

BBQ was a huge success. We celebrated with our Mayor Janet Gutowski as

well as our Town Crier Paddy O’Connor and of course the people of our beau-

tiful community. A huge

thank you to Chuck Belcher

at Fresh Mart for cooking us

a delicious shaved roast

beef, and to Sandra and

Frank White at the Sharbot

Lake Country Inn & The

Crossing for their generous

donation of buns. Thank you

from everyone at Commu-

nity Living – North Fronte-

nac.

Submitted by Dean Walsh

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Something to Think About:

What if you never got to make a mistake?

What if your money was always kept in an envelope where you couldn’t get it?

What if you were never given a chance to do well at something?

What if your only chance to be with people different from you was with your

own family?

What if the job you did was not useful?

What if you never got to make a decision?

What if the only risky thing you could do was act out?

What if you couldn’t go outside because the last time you went it rained?

What if you took the wrong bus once and now you can’t take another one?

What if you got into trouble and were sent away and you couldn’t come back be-

cause they always remember you’re trouble?

What if you worked and got paid $.46 an hour?

What if you had to wear your winter coat when it rained because it was all you

had?

What if you had no privacy?

What if you could do part of the grocery shopping but weren’t allowed because

you couldn’t do all of the shopping?

What if you spent three hours every day just waiting?

What if you grew old and never knew adulthood?

What if you never got a chance?

- Linda Stengle, Laying Community Foundations for Your Child with a Disability

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Dignity of Risk

Overprotection may appear on the surface to be kind, but it can be really evil.

An oversupply can smother people emotionally, squeeze the life out of their

hopes and expectations, and strip them of their dignity.

Overprotection can keep people from becoming all they could become.

Many of our best achievements came the hard way: We took risks, fell flat, suf-

fered, picked ourselves up, and tried again. Sometimes we made it and some-

times we did not. Even so, we were given the chance to try. Persons with special

needs need these chances, too.

Of course, we are talking about prudent risks. People should not be expected to

blindly face challenges that, without a doubt, will explode in their faces. Know-

ing which chances are prudent and which are not—this is a new skill that

needs to be acquired.

On the other hand, a risk is really only when it is not known beforehand

whether a person can succeed…

The real world is not always safe, secure, and predictable. It does not always

say “please”, “excuse me”, or “I’m sorry”. Every day we face the possibility of be-

ing thrown into situations where we will have to risk everything…

In the past, we found clever ways to build avoidance of risk into the lives of per-

sons living with disabilities. Now we must work equally hard to help find the

proper amount of risk these people have the right to take. We have learned that

there can be healthy development in risk taking … and there can be crippling

indignity in safety!

- Robert Perske, Hope for the Families

Submitted by Paul Kyte

10

Cottage Weekend

Barb, Sharon and Linda enjoyed a weekend at Brown’s Camp on Crow Lake.

Thanks to Earl Brown who helped us to get unpacked. As soon as we were set-

tled the relaxation was easy. We enjoyed barbecuing, listening to music and

playing “washer toss” games. We also watched a silly movie and had a few

laughs. The weekend went quickly

and was greatly enjoyed by everyone.

Submitted by Linda Pester

Ministry Changes

There have been a lot of changes since July 5, 2011 in regards to Ministry

Funding. One of the changes that effects families we support are the changes

to Special Services At Home (SSAH). In the past Special Services at Home

funding has been handled by the Ministry of Community and Social Services/

Ministry of Children and Youth Services but effective July 5, 2011 it is now

handled by Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) and has had a name change

to Passport Adult Respite. This name change is in regards to Adults only and

SSAH remains the name for children receiving this funding.

Individuals applying for Passport Adult Respite will now have to go through a

referral and assessment process in order to be put on a wait list.

In the past children receiving SSAH would continue into their adulthood re-

ceiving SSAH without an interruption. However the Ministry is proposing

when an individual reaches the age of 18 they will have to re-apply and there-

fore go through the process of referral and assessment and then be put on a

wait list. Families can write to the ministry letting them know what kind of

hardship this may cause them and the effect this is going to have on their

child. If you would like assistance with writing a letter expressing your views

on this proposed change please contact our office.

Submitted by Deb Ryckman

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Children Services

Barb Matson, the Family Support

Worker for Children Services has

been on sick leave since January.

We would like to wish Barb well in

her recuperation. Deb Ryckman,

Amanda Matson Lillian Barker-

Godfrey and I have been completing

various duties in Children Services

over the last few months.

On June 7th management and I

hosted a BBQ at the office for the

families supported by Children Ser-

vices. It was a great success. At the

BBQ we discussed some changes

that will be taking place within Children Services this fall. We also reviewed

the schedule of activities for this year’s Summer Day Camp. The summer pro-

gram was mailed out to all families who are supported by Community Living—

North Frontenac for them to review and choose what activities they want to at-

tend this summer. Come and have a great summer with us.

Submitted by Eve Kohornen

Special Olympics

An awesome basketball and bowl-

ing season has come to an end with

Special Olympics in Perth. Base-

ball is now underway. Everyone is

looking forward to a good season.

Submitted by Eve Kohornen

Special

Olympics

Banquet

Special Olympics

Basketball

Tournament

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Community Living—North Frontenac is dedicated to providing equal

opportunity to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their

families in the Central/North Frontenac area, to achieve

independence and social acceptance …….

ONE PERSON AT A TIME

Community Living—North Frontenac

P.O. Box 76

1025 Elizabeth Street

Sharbot Lake, ON

K0H 2P0

Phone: 613-279-3731

Fax: 613-279-3732

estelle_clnf@frontenac.net

One Person At A Time