May 2015 - Community Living Owen Sound & District

Perspectives
Assisting people with developmental needs to live, work and
participate fully in the community as valued partners.
May 2015, Issue 71
What’s New?
Second Chance Kids
Second Chance Kids is a
local non-profit organization
comprised entirely of
volunteers. Our mandate
is to raise funds to assist
families from Grey or Bruce
counties whose children are
hospitalized for lengthy
periods of time outside
their local community.
Our members provide both
financial and emotional
support to families during
these very difficult times.
Children must be 18 years
old or younger and require
out-of-town hospitalization of
a week or longer. Reasons for
hospitalization can include
See ‘Children’ on Page 4
‘They Are Heroes in How
They Live Their Lives’
Joanne Young reaps rewards of joining
Community Living Owen Sound & District
Left to right: Fely Clarke, Alexander Knights and Penny Brueckman-Stephens.
Inspiring Possibilities Award Goes to Notre
Dame Catholic Elementary School Student
In June 2014, it was such a
delight and proud moment
to present our Inspiring
Possibilities award to
Alexander Knights here in
Owen Sound. Alexander is
a Grade 8 student who
graduated from Notre Dame
Catholic Elementary School.
This award is given to a
student who is a leader at
school and in their community.
The student has shown the
following to their school
mates: respect, honesty,
empathy, competence,
acceptance, appreciation,
community/school inclusion,
seeing the worth of every
person and an advocate for
all.We offered the student a
$25 monetary gift as well as a
“keeper” plaque for the student.
We (one Community Living
Owen Sound & District staff
member and a self-advocate)
attended the graduation
ceremony where Alexander
was presented the award.
Penny Brueckman-Stephens
(self-advocate) and I (Fely
Clarke, Community Living
Owen Sound & District staff
member) were grateful
to Notre Dame Catholic
Elementary School for the
warm reception and acceptance,
Alexander was deeply humble
and thankful for the award.
Looking for Work?
Need to Hire?
Contact Kim Lawson 519-371-9251, ext. 257
to inquire about a perfect match for your employment needs.
Now accepting new applicants and employers for employment supports;
including training and individualized supports as needed.
Eligibility: Age 18+, affiliation with Community Living Owen Sound & District, can use approved
Passport funding (Ministry of Community and Social Services), and Ontario Disability Support Program.
Employment Services provided in partnership with Bruce Grey Shores Employment Services
By Natalie Hamilton
Joanne Young considers
herself fortunate to be in the
company of “heroes.”
Upon returning to the
developmental services sector,
the Director of Support
Services for Community
Living Owen Sound & District
easily identifies what’s most
rewarding about her new role.
“I’m so inspired by the
individuals and by the staff who
support them,” Young says.
“They are heroes in the
way they live their lives,” she
says of the people who access
services from Community
Living Owen Sound &
District. “They embrace life.”
Young joined Community
Living Owen Sound &
District in January, taking
See ‘Agency’s’ on Page 3
Mom’s Get Away Weekend 2015
Plans are well underway
for the Mom’s Get Away
Weekend to be held May 22
to 24 at the Evergreen Resort
near Red Bay, Ont. The 2015
theme for this annual event
is “Love to Laugh”.
The Mom’s Get Away
Weekend is an opportunity
for women connected to
Community Living Owen
Sound & District to spend
time together to network,
laugh, share stories, reflect,
relax and rest. An exciting
line up of activities are
planned including laugh yoga,
reflexology, hand massage,
crafting, and a Saturday
evening keynote speaker
featuring a local comedian
and improvisation facilitator.
The event is sponsored by
the board of directors of
Community Living Owen
Sound & District so costs
to each participant are kept
to a minimum. Respite
reimbursement may be available.
For details about eligibility,
information about the weekend
or to register, please call:
519-371-9251 or 519-370-0866
or email [email protected]
and type Mom’s Weekend in
the subject line.
40033282
Community Living
Owen Sound and District
769 4th Avenue East
Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 2N5
Tel: 519-371-9251
Fax: 519-371-5168
www.communitylivingowensound.ca
Perspectives / MAY 2015
Guys Caring For Kids
Committee and Photo Contest
A New Cedar Chest
By Becky Gilbert
On Jan. 8 I went to the Country Charm Mennonite store and I
bought a cedar chest with my own savings. It was made by the
Mennonites and it was delivered to my apartment on Thursday
morning. I have it at the end of my bed in my bedroom and the
colour matches my bedroom furniture and it is Golden Oak.
I am very pleased with it!
Submitted by: Craig Rourke
In 2008 there was a Father’s
Matter workshop held in Grey
Bruce that was facilitated by
Brian Russell and Dad Central
Ontario. After the workshop
there were discussions about
what could be done in
our area to promote
recognizing fathers
and recognizing the
importance of male
roles in the lives of
children. It was
identified then that
there is an ongoing
need to challenge the
narrative that male
roles in children’s
lives are often
only depicted as
play/sports-based
activities and
does not typically
recognize the
caring and nurturing role
of fatherhood.
As a result a local committee
of volunteers was formed
including members from
the Grey Bruce Health Unit,
Grey County Housing, the
M’Wikwedong Native Cultural
Resource Centre, community
volunteers, the Men’s Program
Grey-Bruce, Keystone Child
Youth & Family Services,
and has had a representative
from Community Living
Owen Sound & District
since its inception.
Some of the initiatives and
actions the committee has taken
on over the years include an
annual photo contest, hosting
a Fathers Matter workshop
in 2013, ongoing monitoring
of publications and providing
comments/feedback to
publications that include
pictures/stories that fit with
our mission and that show men
in roles with children above
and beyond the stereotypical
sporting events participation.
The committee recently
decided to affiliate itself more
formally with Dad Central
Ontario. Dad Central Ontario
is a great parenting resource
for fathers and for agencies
looking for tools and resources
geared at engaging with fathers.
The committee eventually
took on the name Guys
Caring for Kids, named after
our photo contest initiative.
Pictured below is one of the
winning photos from a
previous year. The Guys
Caring For Kids Committee
will be holding its sixth annual
photo contest this spring.
The photo contest runs every
spring around Father’s
Day and asks
people of all ages
submit photos
depicting the
familiar and
unfamiliar stores
of men and
children that
reflect positive
and caring
relationships.
Information,
submissions and
guidelines about
the photo contest
can be found on
the Guys Caring
For Kids Facebook
page, or be picked up at
Community Living Owen
Sound & District at 769 4th
Ave. East, Owen Sound.
The winning photos earn
prizes and an invitation to
an awards night, as well as
are included in a poster
which travels around
Grey Bruce. Each year the
number of photos submitted
increases. Please help make
this the biggest year yet by
submitting your photos.
Learn more about Dad Central
Ontario at www.dadcentral.ca.
Flaherty/Elliott RDSP Bursary
Award Announced
My New Tablet
By Marty Angel
Recently, I noticed that everyone around me had smart phones
or tablets or iPads and I wanted one for myself. I was very happy
when I got a tablet for Christmas. I can use it for many things.
I am learning how to use this tablet, how to add apps, and
how to use it for my weekly schedule and appointments. I am
getting really good at this technology really fast. I can play
games and take pictures that are important to me. I now have
my own e-mail address so that I can send and receive e-mails to
the people I know. Each week my worker helps me do something
new, and helps me when it gets stuck. My family helps me use this
tablet every day. Next, I am going to add Facebook and start to
share my artwork with my friends.
2
Community Living Owen
Sound & District’s board
of directors announced the
creation of a new annual
Registered Disability Savings
Plan (RDSP) Bursary Award
that people who are not yet
named as a beneficiary of an
RDSP, can apply for. Each year
two awards of $500 will be
made available. The bursary
was named in honour of
Christine Elliott and her late
husband Jim Flaherty, who was
instrumental in introducing
the RDSP when he was the
federal finance minister.
Spearheading the initiative
was Board Member Ron
Fenwick who has an RDSP of
his own and receives an annual
federal bond and a matching
grant based on how much he
deposits. All of this accumulates
interest and adds up to
supplement his income when
he reaches retirement age.
RDSP holdings don’t affect
either ODSP or CPP/OAS,
so it’s a win-win situation.
The purpose of the RDSP
Award is to assist people
connected to the services
and supports of Community
Living Owen Sound &
District to open a registered
disability savings plan and to
thereby encourage people to
save for their retirement.
• Applicants for a RDSP
Bursary must be “connected”
with Community Living
Owen Sound & District
(for example, connected
through children’s services,
family support and/or
receiving supports provided
by Community Living Owen
Sound & District) and be
eligible to be a beneficiary of
an RDSP (the individual is
eligible for the disability tax
credit (DTC); has a valid social
insurance number (SIN); is a
resident in Canada when the
plan is entered into; and is
under the age of 60).
• Applicants for a RDSP
Bursary may not be already
named as a beneficiary of an
RDSP account but may have
already initiated an application
(no funds deposited).
Application forms are available
by e-mail [email protected]
or by calling 519 371 9251.
The application deadline is
May 31, 2015.
Perspectives / MAY 2015
What is Passport?
Joanne is pictured here with her younger brother, Rick.
Agency’s Values Attractive to Joanne Young
Continued from front
on a brand-new position
to the organization.
“There were a few things
that attracted me back to
the developmental services
sector,” Young says, including
Community Living Owen
Sound & District itself.
“I was really attracted to
the values and how those
values play out and impact
individuals.” The fact that the
voices of the people the
organization supports are
key and central to the way
Community Living Owen
Sound & District operates is
important to Young. As well,
she values how people who
have an intellectual disability are
truly active in, and embraced
by, their communities.
Young says staff members
fulfil the organization’s values.
“Staff members live the
values out every single
day. When we’re sitting in
meetings, instead of saying,
‘I think,’ they will say ‘while
working with this individual
they are telling me.’ By
doing that, it’s not the staff
member’s voice at the table
all of the time.”
Young’s role is to provide
support to the staff members
who manage the adult service
programs and help ensure
the services provided reflect
those values. She’s also a
sounding board for
management and staff.
Her role is part of a new
structure called Shared
Executive Services.
Community Living Owen
Sound & District executive
director Rick Hill is also now
the executive director of
Community Living Walkerton
& District and will soon
to take over the executive
directorship of the Bruce
Peninsula Association for
Community Living. “As his
responsibilities expanded,
there was a need to put in place
a structure so that staff and
managers were well-supported,”
Young explains.
“So that’s where the position
of director of support services,
which oversees all of the adult
services programming for
Community Living Owen
Sound & District, Community
Living Walkerton & District and
Bruce Peninsula Association
for Community Living (comes
into play). So my role covers the
three organizations and I try to
divide my time up depending
on where the needs are.”
Young recently moved to
Owen Sound. Outside of work,
she enjoys scrapbooking.
Young and her husband,
Bruce, have a daughter, two
sons and four grandchildren.
Her time is shared with her
family, including her siblings,
one of whom has special needs.
Come May, the Youngs
spend their leisure time at
their trailer in Barry’s Bay
through to late fall.
Owen Sound Support Pool is on the Move
It’s onward and upward for
the Owen Sound support
pool team as the final touches
on their new offices are
being completed. The new
location is the lower level of
the former Children’s Aid
Society office located at 1290
3rd Ave. East, Owen Sound.
With its own entrance and
parking lot at the back of the
building (off of 13th Street
East), the office will provide
more privacy, more space and
bring a whole new identity
for the adult services team.
Newly appointed Manager
of Community Supports
Tammy Robertson will also
have her office on site as
will Fiona Smith, the team
leader. In total the present
team numbers 19 community
support workers who provide
independent living supports
and community participation
supports to more than 190
adults. The support pool will
also provide Passport-funded
supports from this office
focussing on personally tailored
support services, typically on a
one-to-one or small group basis.
The focus of all the support
is inclusion and personal
growth and development.
The move was made possible
when the board of directors
bought the building in
November 2014. Plans for
the upper level have not been
finalized or confirmed, however,
a priority for the Board has
been to develop individualized
supportive housing options. The
concept of supportive housing
is a model where support is
available on an as needed
basis, perhaps up to 24 hours
per day, however, unlike group
living, each person would have
their own personal living unit.
The board and management
continue to explore options
for the upper level.
Passport is a program that
helps adults 18 years or
older with a developmental
disability to participate in
their communities. It also
helps caregivers of an
adult with a developmental
disability take a break
from their caregiving
responsibilities. Passport
provides funding for services
and supports so adults with a
developmental disability can:
• take part in community classes
or recreational programs
• develop work, volunteer,
and daily life skills
• hire a support worker
• create their own life plans
(this is called person-directed
planning) to reach their goals
• get temporary respite for
their caregivers
Passport is funded by the
Ontario government and
administered by local
Passport agencies.
Who does the Passport
program serve?
The Passport program is for
people with a developmental
disability who are 18 years old
or older and:
• need support to participate
in the community while they
are still in school, or;
• have left school and are living
on their own, with family or
independently in a supportive
living arrangement.
Developmental Services
Ontario manages the
application process for all
provincially funded developmental services and supports
for adults with a developmental
disability in Ontario.
Contact Developmental
Services Ontario to apply for
adult developmental services,
including Passport. If you’re
eligible, staff there will help
you complete a developmental
services application package
to assess your needs and
connect you with available
services and supports.
If you need assistance
connecting with Developmental
Services Ontario, and/or wish
support in completing the
application package, a Family
Support worker is available to
help you. If you are a recipient
of Passport funding and need
assistance with managing
your money, accessing eligible
services and supports, or
planning how to best use
your funds, Family Support
is available to help.
Please contact us at
519-371-9251 or 519-370-0866
and ask for Family Support.
What is Special Services
at Home?
The Special Services at Home
program helps families who
are caring for a child with a
developmental or physical
disability. It is funded and
managed by the Ministry
of Community and Social
Services. The program helps
families pay for special
services in or outside the
family home as long as the
child is not receiving support
from a residential program.
For example, the family can
hire someone to:
• help the child learn new
skills and abilities, such
as improving their
communications skills and
becoming more independent
• provide respite support to
the family — families can get
reimbursement funds to pay
for services that will give them
a break (or “respite”) from the
day-to-day care of their child
The amount of money a
family receives depends on:
• the type and amount of
service the child needs
• what other help is available
in the community
• what kind of support the
family is already receiving
Who can get help?
Children with a
developmental or physical
disability (or their families)
can apply for this Special
Services at Home if they:
• live in Ontario
• need more support than
most families can provide
• are living at home with
their family, or
• if they are not living at home
with their family and are
not being helped by other
residential services
For more information about
applying for Special Services
at Home or assistance with
SSAH (if you are approved for
funds), please contact Family
Support at 519-371-9251 or
519-370-0866.
www.facebook.com/communitylivingowensound
3
Perspectives / MAY 2015
The Sound Advocates
Children Getting a
Second Chance
Continued from front
premature birth, major heart
problems, digestive tract
ailments and many other
health complications.
Second Chance Kids was
founded in 1988 after the
founding member, Geri
Babcock, was approached by
a family who had been turned
down by many agencies when
they looked for financial help
with the costs incurred due
to the illness, surgeries and
hospitalization of their young
son. The initial meeting
included representatives from
Community Living, Easter
Seals, GBHS Social Work, and
the March of Dimes. Within
a short time after the initial
meeting, the group adopted
the name of Second Chance
Kids, which was suggested by
a young man whose family
was part of the group for a
short time. He felt the name
to be appropriate as many
of the children we were
assisting had been given a
“second chance” at life.
Referrals to Second Chance
Kids come to us from social
workers, public health nurses,
Keystone Child Youth and
Family Services, Community
Living agencies, other
community members and
parents themselves. In order
to apply for funds from
Second Chance Kids, we
require basic family contact
information, child’s name
and date of birth, diagnosis
or medical issues, community
professionals involved,
and dates and location
of hospitalization. Our
support is based on a
funding formula related to
the length of hospitalization
and is not based on family
income. Referrals are
reviewed and assessed
without sharing of identifying
information to keep the process
as confidential as possible.
As a group we recognize the
extraordinary financial and
emotional strain created
when a child is in hospital.
If you wish to make a
referral or would like more
information, you can contact
Joanne in the evening at
519-371-9650 or e-mail
[email protected].
Donations to Second Chance
Kids can be made at any
branch of the Meridian Credit
Union. Ninety-five per cent of
the money that we raise goes
directly to families from
Grey or Bruce Counties who
meet our referral criteria.
Our major fundraiser is
a golf tournament which is
being held this year on Friday
June 12 at Saugeen Golf
Club between Southampton
and Port Elgin. Everyone is
welcome. The $125 entry fee
includes 18 holes of golf, a
cart, lunch, supper, prizes
and lots of fun. You can
register by calling Saugeen
Golf Club at 519-389-4031.
Hope to see you there!
PERSPECTIVES PURPOSE:
Perspectives promotes acceptance of people with different
abilities in our community. We celebrate successes and
embrace new ideas, approaches and opportunities.
Editorial Team:
Jennifer Ramsay, Erica Rooney, Ava Sandink
Executive Director:
Rick Hill
We encourage readers to use the newsletter for new ideas,
contacts, websites and resources. Perspectives welcomes
comments, contributions of articles or questions.
www.communitylivingowensound.ca
4
Written by Tammy Robertson
with the help of the Sound
Advocates Group (Owen
Sound Group)
As 2015 began the Sound
Advocates celebrated some
new changes including a
new staff adviser, Tammy
Robertson, and an addition
of a second staff adviser
Ashley Grahlman. The
members today are Ken
Burtwistle, Angie Blundell,
Mel Campbell, John
Longmire, Ron Fenwick,
Mary Curley, Sue Corbett,
Penny Brueckman, Karen
Aspinall, Shawna Schank
and Wendy Shepstone. New
members to complement
the group are Chris Ross
and Andrew Ansell.
We began the year
being creative and working
on projects that visually
represent the group. The first
project we took on was to
create a “Wordle”. Staff
at the 4th Ave. office were
asked to help out and share
words that describe their
understanding of who the
Sound Advocates are. We
collected 61 words. Those
words were inputted into
the computer program and
a Wordle was created!
The second project was to
create a logo that represents
all of those things that being a
Sound Advocate represents
to us. The logo that we chose
represents all of our voices
coming together for one
cause. We hope to make
T-shirts with our logo on them
and also to use it on any of
our e-mails that we send out.
As in past years, members
of the Sound Advocates
attended the Speaking Out
conference and made great
new contacts and information
about upcoming events
were shared. In November
members participated in
the first Linking Up video
conference. The goal of
this video conference is to
develop an electronic
self-advocate network.
We were able to connect
with other Self Advocate
Groups across Ontario,
enjoy a guest speaker, and
participated in a musical/
dance video that the
Bethesada’s Committee for
Self Advocates created and
performed. It was a lot of fun
and we hope that Linking
Up becomes a regular
conference we participate in.
We look forward to
attending the Regional
Meeting for self-advocates
in Walkerton at the end of
March, participating in the
spring Highway Clean Up
and continue to explore guest
speakers that offer information
and education about issues
that matter to the group.
The group continues
to meet every other
Wednesday from 3 p.m. to
4 p.m. Anyone interested
in joining is welcome to come.
To find out more information
you can ask any of the Sound
Advocates or Ashley Grahlman
(519)371-9251 est.249.
Group of Special Artists Tote Bag Art Show
Submitted by: Lesley Bankes,
Artist/Art Teacher at Curvey
Lines Art School
The Tom Thomson Art
Gallery in Owen Sound,
Ontario exhibited 37 handpainted tote bags designed
and for sale by the Group Of
Special Artists (GOSA). The
show displayed the beautifully
crafted tote bags from Jan. 18
to Feb. 18.
The show was well-received
by the public and by the
artists. Leslie shared that
during the opening of the
show she watched the public
carefully look at each tote
and smile. Each of the artists
received $5 from their sold
tote bags. In total, 15 of the
bags sold. The remaining tote
bags will be sold in the Tom
Thomson gift shop.
You can view the show
online at curveylines.com.
Thanks to all the following
artists who participated: A.J.
Brand, Amanda Smit, Ashley
Power, Betty O’leary, Bobbi Jo
Henry, Brittney Bevis, Caitlin
Adams, Chris Jackson, Cindy
Hutt, Dan Minard, Daron
Hogue, Debbie Chappell,
Debbie Nichol, Garvin Showell,
Jon Morrison, Jonathan
Wardrop, Krista Anastasovski,
Kyle Weatherhead, Lachlan
MacArthur, Larry Gibson,
Lorrie LeDuc, Mandie
Garrod, Marc LaFerriere,
Marty Angel, Matthew Barber,
Michael Dantas, Matthew
Poste, Maureen Cahoon,
Michelle Williams, Naomi
Scott, Natasha Scott, Patty
Baker, Robin Ladd, Susan
Wayne and Thomas Turnbull.
When you make a financial contribution
to the Foundation for Community Living
Owen Sound and District, you will make
a difference in the lives of those you care
about today and in the years to come.
Consider making your donation today.
For more information and/or to make a donation, please contact the Foundation of
Community Living Owen Sound and District at 519-371-9251.
COMMUNITY LIVING OWEN SOUND AND DISTRICT 2014 – 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
President: Brian Hopson Vice-President: Ann Vos Treasurer: Ros Brooks,
Virginia Smith, Ron Fenwick, John Cherrie, David Elliott, Gary Dale, Terri Johnston,
Robyn Bumstead and Andrea Wist
Association Membership applications are available from our office.
Community Living Owen Sound and District
769 4th Avenue East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 2N5
Telephone 519-371-9251, Fax 519-371-5168