In Touch - Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley

In Touch
Fall 2013
Larry Markus Receives
2013 James Montgomery Honour Award
Local Pembroke resident Larry Markus, was selected by Community Living Ontario as the 2013
recipient of the James Montgomery Honour Award.
This award is presented annually in the province to someone who demonstrates leadership by
speaking up publicly or helping others speak up, and acts in a way that teaches others about the
abilities and strengths of individuals. The recipient is also someone who is actively promoting
the goals of citizenship and inclusion.
Larry has been an integral force in promoting participation for the membership of Community
Living in their Partners for Life program with Canadian Blood Services. With Larry’s spirited
encouragement, Community Living has not only met but doubled its original pledge goal for
2013. Larry is always on hand at the local Pembroke clinic not only to donate but to support the
members of our partnership who help save a life through a blood donation.
Larry is a committed blood donor who has previously been awarded national honours by
Canadian Blood Services to highlight his outstanding dedication to helping others through blood
donation. The presentation of the award was a key highlight of the 60th Annual Conference of
Community Living Ontario held in London Ontario on September 19th.
“I am excited and honoured to receive this
award and I want to thank Community Living in
Pembroke for nominating me”. Markus said.
Larry is shown at left with his award. Above, seated
between Chris Grayson, Executive Director and his
sister Barbara Boese at the celebration banquet at
Community Living Ontario’s 60th Annual Meeting.
Jesse Crawford publishes Novel ~ Desire of Gun Fire
Jesse Crawford was celebrated at the Pembroke
Public Library in July 2013 at the official book
launch of his first novel, Desire of Gun Fire. Jesse
has been a member of Gems of the Mind Writers
Club for the past few years and with the support of
his fellow club members he learned some great tips
in the art of fiction writing.
Jesse’s novel is set in the old west, and tells the
story of siblings Sarah and Jesse who are out for
revenge against a gang of outlaws.
Jesse has published 50 copies of this first novel, and
is now working on a sequel. To purchase a copy of
Jesse’s book, please contact him at: 613-635-7884
(H) or 613-401-7884 (C).
Left, Jesse proudly displays a copy of his novel Desire of Gun
Fire at his official book launch held at the Pembroke Public
Library in July of this year
Helping People with Intellectual Disabilities
Adjust to Change
Hold the Date….
April/May 2015
Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley
Board of Directors has passed a motion to
invite an Accreditation Review in the spring
of 2015. This process of inviting an external
audit to our organization can also ensure
transparency and accountability to all of our
stakeholders. We will involve many people
to be part of this exciting venture, as we
prepare for an Accreditation Review. We
look forward to celebrating the quality
supports provided by our organization.
by Chris Grayson
Individuals with intellectual disabilities find it
challenging to make changes in their lives.
Whether it is moving to a new home, adjusting to
a changing schedule, or losing members of the
family, changes for an individual with a disability
can be magnified due to a lack of coping skills
available to them. This can prove challenging to
families. To assist with smoother transitions,
early planning can be helpful.
Continued on Page 6
Thanksgiving Decorating
Contest
Congratulations
Irene Demers & Friends
1st Place Winner
2
55th Annual General Meeting
2013/14 Board of Directors
From Left, Back Row in the newly renovated lobby: Patricia Durston, Elaine Clouthier, Kyle Croft, Laura Mayo,
Dave Marcus, Karen Payne, Chris Reavie, Brian Tate
Seated Front: Jane Dougherty. Shelley O’Malley, President, and Colleen Whittier
Absent from Photo: Keith Rae and Joanne Clarke
Community Living held its 55th AGM on June 20th. The guest speaker, Chris Grayson, Executive
Director, shared reflections of his journey in the Developmental Services Sector. Chris spoke
about his 25 to 30 years of work in the developmental services field, and mentioned his past
experience as the Director of Operations and as Executive Director with other community living
agencies. Chris also shared some of the ups and downs of community living organizations,
including the challenges of funding over the past few years.
The members and guests were
entertained by a picture presentation and many reflected on the Governor General’s visit in April
of this year.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of Community Living in the Upper Ottawa Valley, and
preparations and planning for a 60th anniversary celebration and another accreditation review
will begin in the near future. To become involved on the Board of Directors or join a committee
please contact the Community Living Office at 613-735-0659, or contact us through our website at
www.communitylivingupperottawavalley.ca
3
IN THE NEWS
In the early hours of October 17th at approximately 1:25 a.m. Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley and CUPE
local 5088 agreed on a 4 year deal. This agreement was ratified by your Board of Directors on October 18th
and by CUPE Members on October 21st. The contract expires on July 26, 2015.
I am pleased that we were able to achieve our first contract without further disruption to services, avoiding a
strike or lock out. I want to thank the many parents and support organizations in the Upper Ottawa Valley area
for their understanding and offers of support during the weeks leading up to the deadline of Oct. 16th.
This process in total consumed over 21 days of negotiation over a 27 month period and has caused great
financial hardship on the operations of CLUOV however, I am determined to ensure we balance our books in
this operating year and to minimize any reduction in staffing or service delivery to people supported.
As your new Executive Director I want to ensure to you our membership, family and staff teams that I will be
moving forward to strengthen the overall position of our agency and to refocus our collective efforts on
people, their dreams and aspirations.
Chris Grayson, Executive Director
Select Committee on Developmental Services
The Select Committee on Developmental Services will meet and report to the House of Commons
its observations and recommendations with respect to the urgent need for a comprehensive
developmental services strategy to address the needs of children, youth and adults in Ontario
with an intellectual disability or who are dually diagnosed with an intellectual disability and a
mental illness, and to coordinate the delivery of developmental programs and services across
many provincial ministries in addition to the Ministry of Community and Social Services; and
In developing its strategy and recommendations, the Committee shall focus on the following issues:

the elementary and secondary school educational needs of children and youth;

the educational and workplace needs of youth upon completion of secondary school;

the need to provide social, recreational and inclusionary opportunities for children, youth and adults;

the need for a range of available and affordable housing options for youth and adults;

the respite and support needs of families;

how government should most appropriately support these needs and provide these opportunities
Those persons wishing to make a written submission to this committee can submit comments to the clerk of
the committee by: February 16, 2014
Laura Albanese, York South-Weston, Chair of the Select Committee on Developmental Services
Contact: [email protected]
Trevor Day, Clerk [email protected]
Room 1405, Whitney Block
Queen’s Park, Toronto ON M7A 1A2
You may also contact your local MPP John Yakabuski, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
Contact: [email protected]
4
August 16, 2013
Community Living Annual Golf Tournament
Thank You….
0
$173,00 er
Ov
d
Raise
s!!
r
a
e
17 Y
Your support helped us raise over $11,000
at our Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley
Annual Golf Tournament.
Mark your calendar for next year’s event set for
August 15, 2014 @ Oaks of Cobden
Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley
is grateful to the Golfers, Community Supporters, Hole Sponsors, Donators and Volunteers
See You Next
Year
August 15,
2014
5
News Brief ~ from the Board
At the Board of Directors meeting on October 24th we agreed to dissolve two committees and create
one that addresses the future needs of the organization. The new committee is called,
Community Development and Communications
….ENGAGE….INSPIRE….COLLABORATE….
This committee’s purpose is to develop partnerships at all levels of the organization and community
that promote public engagement, develop collaborative strategic directions, community engagement/
fund development, influence community capacity, foster new opportunities and share the story of
CLUOV.
Key Results Areas: (KRA)
Influence community acceptance of people with disabilities: Utilize the speaker’s bureau, social media, special
events, community living month campaigns, and coordination.
 Develop partnerships and social capital with key community partners that; develop economic opportunities
for people supported and the organization; partner on proposals that support collective vision and mission
of like–minded organizations; work together to develop broader community awareness….work together on
community priorities that influence inclusion of all citizens.
 Develop and lead communications and marketing materials and skill development.
 Coordinate the development of Strategic Plan and its implementation in partnership with the QEC.

Committee Membership
Two board representatives; one to chair the committee, two co-ordinators; one administrative support, one
self–advocate, two front line staff, three others chosen based on skills needed for the committee.
Continued from Page 2….. Adults with disabilities have differing abilities and may well be capable of making some
decisions and not others. They may be quite cognizant of the fact that they can’t handle the complexity of some
matters, or may simply be innumerate and can’t handle finances. They may also be very clear on who they want
to manage their affairs for them, typically their parents and siblings. Since adults are presumed to be competent
unless assessed and found not competent, they have the right to be treated with respect and to have their wishes
considered and advanced.
A family can find itself in crisis for many reasons: the death of a parent, a significant health issue that impedes
caregiving responsibilities, or the debilitation of a spouse. In these cases, the remaining parent is faced with
difficult decisions and may be at a loss as to where to seek support. Many times long term care placements
become one of the early options and at most times is not appropriate for a young adult with a disability.
Community Living offers many supports and services if there is early planning and appropriate application
processes in place prior to the crisis of family breakdowns. Some of the supports offered by our organization
include: small group living, associate family homes, in home supports, independent living supports, passports
coordination, respite options and support to access community resources. Families are able to guide the
planning and implementation of creative support structures that may best meet their needs.
The local Developmental Services Office handles all intake procedures and is the starting point to all services to
anyone with a developmental disability. For more information, visit: www.dsontario.ca
6
Board Member Profile ~ Patricia Durston
Pat Durston grew up in Manitoba and married her
husband Gavin Balfour in Winnipeg in 1977. Prior to
marrying Gavin, Pat completed her first degree, a BA
in anthropology from the University of Winnipeg. Gavin
joined the military and their journey around Canada
commenced.
While in Halifax Pat returned to school and
graduated with a diploma as a Registered Nurse.
Following the posting in Halifax, Pat & Gavin came
to Petawawa where Pat nursed at the Pembroke
Regional Hospital. Pat & Gavin welcomed their two
daughters, Rachael first, who was born in 1990 with
Down Syndrome, and Rebekah born in 1992.
The Balfour’s headed back east, to Fredericton this
time, and Pat once again returned to university to
complete her Nursing Degree.
While in New
Brunswick, Rachael attended school and began
therapeutic riding. Pat reflects, “after Rachael was
born, it took a month for us to receive the diagnosis
of Down Syndrome.
We decided right then we
would always make sure Rachael received the same
opportunities as other children. We have often had
to fight, persuade, be assertive, and sometimes act
aggressively to obtain what Rachael needed and to
make sure we were challenging her.”
“We came back to Petawawa in 2000 and once the
girls were settled in school we got involved with
Pembroke & Area Special Olympics. Rachael started
swimming and bowling and it was soon evident she
loved sports and wanted to try everything.
Currently Rachael has attended two Provincial
Games for swimming and has returned home with
medals.”
As Rachael participated in more and more sports,
Pat became involved on committee’s with Special
Olympics. It has actually been a family affair, “my
husband Gavin is now also a certified coach, and has
taken over snow shoeing and assists with golf. I
coach, and our daughter Rebekah now at university,
still comes home to volunteer at events.
Pat had a desire to be more involved and joined the
Board at Community Living in 2006, while Rachael
was in high school. While juggling seats on the
Board of Directors and various committees with
Community Living and Special Olympics, Pat once
again returned to University.
Pat completed her
Nurse Practitioner certification and obtained her
Master’s Degree in Nursing. Over the past decade
Pat has worked at Base Petawawa, currently works at
the Petawawa Centennial Family Health Centre and
most recently has been combining her Nurse
Practitioner work with teaching at Algonquin College
in the University of Ottawa Nursing Degree Program.
It’s certainly not difficult to surmise, Pat is an
extremely busy professional, community volunteer,
wife and mother. Thank you Pat for your
contribution as a volunteer on the Board of Directors
Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley.
7
In Memoriam
In Loving Memory of
Martha Schilling
Born: May 15, 1950
Died: August 26th, 2013
Beloved daughter of the late Frank Sr. and
Nora Schilling. Dear sister of Frank
Schilling (Cheryl), Jim Schilling (Judy) and
Richard Schilling (Linda) all of Pembroke.
The family also expressed their sincere
thankfulness to Ann Laskey and Bev York
for their wonderful companionship and
care to Martha over the past 20 years.
In Loving Memory of
Claude Lavergne
Born: November 16, 1955
Died: June 27th, 2013
Claude passed away suddenly at his home
in Petawawa, on June 27, 2013 in his 58th
year. Claude Lavergne of
Petawawa, beloved son of the late
Ferdinand and Sonia Lavergne. Dear
brother of Andre Poirier of Wolf Lake, Qc.
Claude will be sadly missed by his friends
and the staff at Community Living.
$35 Million Huronia Settlement Reached
Community Living Ontario recognizes the great injustice suffered by people who had an intellectual
disability and were sent away from their community to government run institutions over many
decades. We applaud the former residents of Huronia Regional Centre who have pursued justice
and secured a settlement with government for the harm done them.
The case was settled with $35 million for claims of up to $42,000 for each resident awarded on a
point system of harm experienced. “It is hard to put a price tag on the harm done over the
decades of institutionalization, but we take our lead from the former residents” says Chris Beesley,
Chief Executive Officer, Community Living Ontario. “We look to the former residents who have led
this class action lawsuit in pursuit of justice and recognition of the harm that was done to them to
decide if the compensation offered is adequate.”
Community Living Ontario welcomes the offer of an apology from the Government of Ontario. We
know how important an apology is to the former residents. We know how important it is to finally
have recognition of the harm that was done to the residents over the history of the institution. “The
way residents were treated was appalling; it was wrong and inhumane and should never have
happened,” says Beesley. For more… www.communitylivingontario.ca ~ Settlement
The In Touch Newsletter is published by
Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley,
894 Pembroke Street West,
Pembroke, Ontario, K8A 5P8
Phone 613-735-0659 Fax 613-735-1373
The former Huronia Regional Centre
www.communitylivingupperottawavalley.ca