RECORD CROWD RAISES $300,000 AT DR. IGNAT KANEFF

CONNIE ROBERTS CELEBRATES
LAUNCH OF HER BOOK.............PG 6
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTRE .....
WHAT’S HAPPENING? .....
JOIN THE CONVERSATION .....
VOLUNTEER MAKES DONATION .....
PIRS RECOGNIZED BY REGION .....
UPCOMING SIBLING WORKSHOPS .....
TWITTER CHAT ON INCLUSION .....
VOL. 17, ISSUE 2
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SPRING 16
COMMUNITY
RECORD CROWD RAISES
LIVING
$300,000 AT DR. IGNAT
MISSISSAUGA
KANEFF TRIBUTE DINNER
TO REJOIN
COMMUNITY
LIVING ONTARIO
Several years ago, Community
Living Mississauga’s Board of
Directors made the decision to not
renew our membership with
Community Living Ontario.
This was a very difficult decision
since Community Living Ontario had
long been the voice and provincial
advocacy body for individuals who
have an intellectual disability and
their families. At the time it was felt
that as an organization they had lost
their direction and their effectiveness
as a leader in the sector.
Even though we had paused our
membership, we continued to
support their restructuring efforts.
Continued on pg. 3
A record crowd of more than 800
people came out to honour Dr. Ignat
Kaneff at Community Living
Mississauga’s 32nd Annual Tribute
Dinner on Thursday, March 31st.
When a cheque for $230,400 was
presented at the end of the evening,
Dr. Kaneff demonstrated why he is
recognized as a great philanthropist,
known for his generosity. He took
the microphone and announced that
he was donating an additional
$70,000 to bring the proceeds for
the evening up to $300,000!
“Dr. Kaneff is an exceptional
individual. Coming from humble
roots in Bulgaria, Dr. Kaneff is now
recognized not only throughout
Mississauga, but around the world,”
explained Jack A. Prazeres, Chair of
the Tribute Dinner Organizing
Committee. “This year’s Tribute
Continued on pg. 2
DR. IGNAT KANEFF TRIBUTE DINNER (continued)
Dinner was an ideal opportunity to
recognize Dr. Kaneff, who has
supported Community Living
Mississauga for 44 years with
proceeds from his charitable golf
tournament and has served, along
with his wife Didi, as Honourary
Chairs of the Annual Tribute Dinner
for more than three decades.”
William Davis, Former Premier of
Ontario; Mayor Bonnie Crombie,
City of Mississauga; Hazel
McCallion, Former Mayor, City of
Mississauga; and Dr. Mamdouh
Shoukri, President and ViceChancellor of York University.
“Community Living Mississauga has
seen many changes over the years.
The evening included silent and live
The evolution has seen growth and
auctions and guests were treated to
expansion in opportunities that cover
entertainment from Dimitrovche, a
all aspects of life from residential
Bulgarian Folk Ensemble, and the
opportunities to day support,
Ontario Male Chorus as well as
employment, leisure and recreational
remarks from His Excellency Nikolay activities,” said Eugene Nolin,
Milkov, Ambassador Extraordinary
President of Community Living
and Plenipotentiary of the Republic
Mississauga’s Board of Directors.
of Bulgaria to Canada ; the Hon.
“We are proud to be hosting this
Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance,
event to honor Dr. Kaneff, who has
Province of Ontario; the Hon.
been a supporter of our organization
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throughout this journey.”
Jennifer Oppong, who has
participated in Community Living
Mississauga’s recreational and
employment programs, also shared
some of her personal experiences
with the organization and explained
the impact it has had on her life.
As has been the case for more than
30 years, attendees experienced an
entertaining evening while
supporting an important community
organization. Proceeds from the event
enable children and teens who have
an intellectual disability to actively
participate in a variety of summer
camp programs offered throughout
Mississauga.
COMMUNITY LIVING MISSISSAUGA TO REJOIN
COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIO (continued)
They have worked extremely hard
to rebuild themselves, set a clear
direction for their membership and
are beginning to once again be the
provincial champion to support the
values and protect the rights of
individuals who and intellectual
disability.
As a result of our continued
communication and the growth and
evolution of Community Living
Ontario, we are pleased to announce
that we have rejoined Community
Living Ontario.
As a returning member we let them
know that:
- We will support Community Living
Ontario’s efforts on a local level
- We have an active and vocal Board
of Directors and want to contribute in
a positive way to the Federation
- We will assist Community Living
Ontario to succeed in fulfilling its
mandate
- We look forward to being asked to
participate as necessary
Please take the opportunity to visit
the Community Living Ontario web
site at communitylivingontario.ca.
- We look forward to have input
based on issues we face as an
organization
13th ANNUAL
COMMUNITY LIVING MISSISSAUGA
GOLF CLASSIC
Tuesday, August 30th - 1 pm
Lionhead Golf Club and
Conference Centre
REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES A BBQ LUNCH,
FULL-COURSE DINNER, GOLF CART, FREE DRAW,
GIVEAWAYS AND ALL ON-COURSE ACTIVITIES.
Individual - $300
Foursome - $1200
To register or to learn about sponsorship opportunities at the tournament,
please contact Sara Dias at [email protected] or 905-542-2694, ext. 2248.
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EMPLOYMENT RESOURCE CENTRE - SUPPORTING
JOB SEEKERS AND LOCAL EMPLOYERS
Community Living Mississauga’s Employment Resource Centre provides support to job seekers who have an
intellectual disability within the Mississauga community to identify and achieve their employment goals. Our
individualized supports are based on the belief that all people can participate and contribute to their community. Our
hard working team of Job Coaches and Job Developers continue to work with job seekers and reach out to employers
to discuss potential opportunities. This allows job seekers to secure competitive employment while building a lasting
relationship within the community.
WORKSHOP SERIES FINDS WAY
TO CONNECT JOB SEEKERS
WITH THE PERFECT
EMPLOYEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
As part of a recent initiative to encourage job seekers to be actively
involved in their job search, the Employment Resource Centre has been
facilitating a series of five workshops and using an online tool known as
Career Cruising to help job seekers explore their areas of interest and
learn how to connect with employers.
The Employment Resource Centre is pleased to share that attendance
and feedback has been very positive. Job Seekers have been attending
workshops, exploring Career Cruising and by being engaged have built
confidence in their abilities and found success in reaching their
employment goals. Job seekers have shared their feedback as well.
One job seeker said, “This workshop was great. I enjoyed it a lot and
learned needed skills for job searches.” Another said “It was fun and
informative.” Many job seekers have also shared additional topics they
would be interested in learning about and have been able to match their
skills and interests with jobs that will best suit them.
We recognize the hard work that job seekers are putting into their job
search and look forward to continued success with every job seeker we
support in reaching their employment goals.
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NEW ERC
PARTNERS
The Employment Resource Centre
has become not only a resource to the
job seekers we support but also to
businesses throughout Mississauga
who recognize the importance of a
diverse workforce. Employers are
seeing the benefits of employing job
seekers who have an intellectual
disability including lower turnover
and motivated, reliable staff.
The Employment Resource Centre
would like to recognize the following
businesses who we have recently
partnered with and look forward to
continuing to work with:
- Erin Park Toyota
- FreshCo (3100 Dixie Rd.)
- Tim Hortons (3411 Mavis Rd.)
- Tim Hortons (3060 Artesian Dr.)
- Sodexo at BMO
- Valet Car Wash
- The Grille
- Immigration Canada
Thank you for your commitment to
ensuring a diverse and inclusive
workforce and providing
opportunities for job seekers to reach
their employment goals.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
MAY, JUNE, JULY
MUSEUMS OF MISSISSAUGA
Bradley Museum- 1620 Orr Rd.
Leslie Log House - 4415 Mississauga Rd.
Benares Historic House- 1507 Clarkson Rd. N
Admission: Adults $6 or $15/family
culture.mississauga.ca/museums
MISSISSAUGA MARATHON
May 1
Start: Mississauga City Hall
Finish: Lakefront Promenade Park
Spectator Admission: FREE
www.mississaugamarathon.com
CANADA’S WONDERLAND
BREAD AND HONEY FESTIVAL
June 3 - 5
Memorial Park - Streetsville
Friday: $2/person
Saturday and Sunday: $5/person
Infants: FREE
www.breadandhoney.com
Open weekends, beginning May 1
Open daily, beginning May 12
Online Pricing:
Adults; $39.99
Children/Seniors: $35.99
www.canadaswonderland.com
MISSISSAUGA DRAGON
BOAT FESTIVAL
CARASSAUGA
HISTORIC WALKING
TOUR OF STREETSVILLE
May 27 - 29
Various locations
Admission: $10 (before May 27th) or $12
(at the door)
www.carassauga.com
ARTFEST PORT CREDIT
May 27 - 29
Village of Port Credit
Admission: FREE
www.artfestontario.com/portcredit
MISSISSAUGA CENTRAL
LIONS FARMERS MARKET
Wednesdays - June 1 - October 26
Celebration Sqquare
Sundays - June 5 - October 30
3 Robert Speck Parkway
Admission: FREE
www.lionsfarmersmkt.com
June 5
Port Credit
Admission: FREE
www.mississaugacanoeclub.com
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Sundays beginning July 3
Memorial Park - Port Credit
Admission: FREE
www.portcredit.com
MISSISSAUGA ROTARY
RIBFEST
July 14 - 17
Celebration Square
Admission: $2 donation (suggested)
www.mississaugaribfest.com
HONDA INDY TORONTO
June 18, July 17, Aug. 19, and Oct. 1
Streetsville BIA - 280 Queen St. S.
Admission : FREE
www.villageofstreetsville.com
July 15 - 17
Exhibition Place
Friday General Admission: FREE (with
donatino to Make-a-Wish Canada)
General Admission (Sat/Sun): $40
Accessible seating available
www.hondaindytoronto.com
MISSISSAUGA
WATERFRONT FESTIVAL
DON'T FORGET TO VISIT:
June 17 - 19
Memorial Park - Port Credit
Admission : FREE
www.themwf.com
PAINT THE TOWN RED
July 1
Memorial Park - Port Credit
Admission: FREE
www.paintthetownred.ca
www.cultureonthemap.ca
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VOLUNTEER WINS AWARD, MAKES DONATION TO
COMMUNITY LIVING MISSISSAUGA
Scotiabank`s Bright Future Awards program includes an award for young
people who make a difference by volunteering for at least 100 hours - in the
areas of education, arts and culture, health, social services, sports and the
environment - within their communities. They must also submit an essay
describing the impact their service has had on their community, charitable
organizations and themselves.
Based on his efforts as a volunteer at Community Living Mississauga
fundraising events and with the Community Sports League, Johd Toor was
selected as one of this year`s winners.
As part of his award, Johd received a trophy, a computer tablet and a donation
to a charities of his choice. We are honoured that Johd chose to donate $1250
to Community Living Mississauga.
SPOTS AVAILABLE IN COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT TEEN INITIATIVE
In the spring of 2015, Community
Living Mississauga introduced The
Community Engagement Teen
Initiative.
Congratulations to Connie
Roberts who recently
celebrated the launch of her
book of poems I'm Still Here.
A fantastic turnout of family
and friends helped Connie
celebrate this exciting
achievement!
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Individuals were invited to get
together in small groups each week
and with the support of a staff, plan
activities, explore new opportunities
and develop new friendships. The
first year of the Community
Engagement Teen Initiative was a
great success.
Several groups of individuals spent
time getting to know each other and
participating in opportunities, having
fun in Mississauga.
Our next session of the Community
Engagement Teen Initiative is ready
to begin, and we are looking for teens
interested in giving the Initiative a
try. Many of the new groups are
ready to meet and explore the
exciting activities being offered in
Mississauga this spring and summer.
We always have room for new
members and are ready to facilitate
new groups on an ongoing basis.
If you are interested in meeting
friends or exploring a personal
interest please contact Mary Dillon
at 905-542-2694 ext. 2242 or
[email protected].
PIRS HONOURED BY REGION OF PEEL
The Regional Municipality of Peel
recently recognized Peel Inclusion
Resource Services (PIRS),
including five community partners,
for its collective leadership in
changing the delivery of early
learning child care services in Peel.
The following organizations were
honoured at an award presentation at
the start of Regional Council:
•Brampton Caledon Community
Living
•Community Living Mississauga
•ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment
and Development
•Peel Children's Centre
•Surrey Place Centre Blind-Low
Vison Program
•Region of Peel, Human Services
the children with special needs and
their families who benefit from this
collaboration."
"We're thrilled to be recognized for
co-creating the Peel Inclusion
Resource Services model. Together
with the Region of Peel, licensed
child care providers and other
community partners, we have
increased the capacity of early
childhood workers to provide
inclusive services for children with
diagnosed and undiagnosed special
needs," said Ann Iannarelli, Manager
of Early Childhood Education
Resource Services, Community
Living Mississauga.
The Institute of Public Administration
of Canada (IPAC) and Deloitte
recently honoured PIRS with the
Public Sector Leadership Bronze
Award for its innovative service
delivery model that provides
integrated and streamlined support
for Peel families. IPAC and Deloitte
announced the award winners for
outstanding leadership in public
policy and management on Feb. 4,
2016 in Toronto.
Since its launch in 2013, PIRS has
helped more children with special
needs access child care by providing
a centralized intake and referral
process. In 2015, more than 1400
children were supported in licensed
child care. Staff from special needs
programs developed common
approaches to strengthen the
capacity of centres to deliver
inclusive services. Today, 95% of
Peel's licensed child care centres
receive PIRS support.
"Our community partners are the true
leaders in improving the lives of our
residents," said Region of Peel CAO
David Szwarc. "The Peel Inclusion
Resource Services model
demonstrates how together, we are
working with partners to create a
community for life. Ultimately, it's
As part of the PIRS initiative, members of Community Living
Mississauga`s Early Childhood Education Resource Services
were on hand at the recognition ceremoney. From left to right
are Community Living Mississauga`s Karen Ritch, Ann Iannarelli,
Grace Ragona and Joan Kaczmarski, Director Early Years
System Division & Office of System Innovation Human Services
Department, Region of Peel.
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UPCOMING
SIBLING
WORKSHOPS
Sibling Workshops are offered to
children who have a brother or sister
with a diagnosis of an intellectual
disability and/or Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
COMMUNITY LIVING
MISSISSAUGA TO HOST
TWITTER CHAT ON INCLUSION
We offer monthly sessions for
children between the ages of 6-12
years old. The workshops are held at
a safe place and in a structured
environment and are developed to
focus on sharing experiences,
learning about other disabilities and
meeting new people.
There is a fee of $10 per session
which can be paid upon arrival and
covers the cost of dinner, drinks and
arts and crafts.
* Please note registration is required
for each individual monthly session.
Brampton
May 16
5 - 8 pm
19 Rutherford Rd. S., Unit B
Mississauga
April 18, and June 20
5 - 8 pm
1705 Argentia Rd., Unit 1
Please note that there will be no
workshops in the summer.
For more information or to
register, please call Kerry’s Place
at 905-363-1111 ext. 200.
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INCLUSION
EXCLUSION
SEGREGATION
INTEGRATION
BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION
Join us for a twitter chat on
Wednesday, May 25th
from 7 - 8 pm
as we discuss how you have
helped make Mississauga a more
welcoming and inclusive community.
Share your tweets during this discussion
using #INCLUSIONCLM.