gram, Community Participa-

tion. This allows for in-

creased flexibility of support

and maximizes individual and

team strengths.

Referring to our strategic

plan and our vision for the

future, we committed that it

was a priority to look ahead,

to continually evolve our sup-

ports and services and to

have a clear sense of where

to focus our resources. Our

core values reflect people

centred principals, compas-

sionate wisdom, excellence,

integrity, flexibility and col-

laboration.

Together with your dedicated

efforts, we are realizing our

goals. We are continually

evolving and improving the

level of our supports and ser-

vices, advocating for inclusion

and participation and contri-

bution of the people we sup-

port within our community.

Change is the forever con-

stant and we must consist-

ently assess and reassess our

programs to achieve our

goals.

Cathy Stroud

We are nearing the end of the

first quarter of the fiscal year

and I wanted to provide you

with an update regarding

some changes within the or-

ganization. The current rea-

lignment of our resources and

systems has enabled us to

make these changes.

One of the changes we made

after receiving feedback from

families, people supported

and community was to try to

simply the telephone system

for all users. While automated

systems are complicated, we

have made the attempt!

Previously, the leadership

team consisting of two manag-

ers afforded us the opportuni-

ty to focus on programs within

residential and community

participation at a time when

both areas needed dedicated

and detailed attention.

Following the resignation of

one manager and one admin-

istrative assistant, we reas-

sessed and identified gaps in

our services.

At this time, it made sense

again to have one Director of

Supports and Services re-

sponsible for all programs.

In addition to attempting

to simplify the telephone

system, we are introduc-

ing receptionists who will

assist in answering the

telephone during business

hours.

The recent introduction of

the quality assurance posi-

tion allows CLH to focus

on the Quality Assurance

Measures of our systems

and compliance to Minis-

try standards.

Further the pilot position

of Quality and Community

Development compli-

ments our capacity to fos-

ter stronger relationships

with the people we sup-

port, their families, our

staff and community part-

ners, build social capital

and improve quality of our

supports.

Along with the above

changes, we have reallo-

cated the staff within

Community Supports, Sup-

ported Employment and

Foundations to one pro-

Message from Cathy

Message from

Cathy

1

What is facilitation 2

People first penny

drive

3

Understanding

people by bill hiltz

3

Mom’s night 4

Attendance lunch-

eon

4

Inside this issue:

June 2013

Announcing the Launch of the Community Living Huntsville

Book Club

Do you love books? Do you believe in inclusion of all?

Then you might want to consider joining the CLH Book Club.

The purpose of this Book Club is to read, meet and discuss books

that are deeply rooted in person centred thinking and inclusionary

practices.

The first book choice is: Friends & Inclusion. Five Approaches to

Building Relationships by Peggy Hutchison & John Lord with Karen

Lord.

Summary: “It’s about relationships! It’s that simple and that com-

plex. But this is true for all of us; it takes work to build and sustain

friendships. If you happen to experience a disability, building rela-

tionships must be even more intentional. It is just a matter of degree.

We all need to Belong.”

Copies of this book are available at CLH.

The first Book Club discussion will take place this summer TBD

Facilitation and planning is an ongo-

ing process of exploration and discov-

ery, rooted in relationships, to help

people with disabilities and others to

achieve a good and valued life that

includes their participation and con-

tribution as citizens.

What do Facilitators do?

Facilitation involves a trained facilita-

tor walking with a person over

time. It involves expanding personal

networks, planning and connecting

people in community.

Facilitators do this as they:

Listen deeply to what an individual

feels is important now and for the

future

Assist the person’s voice to be heard

by others

Guide the planning process at the

pace that is right for the person and

their friends and/or family

Assist people and their support net-

works to be good at planning and

decision making

Provide written plans that make

sense to the person

Help the person develop relation-

ships and build a strong network of

friends and/or family

See the person, along with their

friends and/or family (their support

network), as the decision-makers

Explore people and places to help the

person build a life in their neighbour-

hood and community

Connect people with those communi-

ty places that are most meaningful to

them

Help move ideas into action and devel-

op action plans of what is needed

Assist the community to respond to

people and their plans

Help the person and their support net-

work review how things are going

Community Living Huntsville is com-

mitted to connecting with people re-

ceiving supports to introduce them to

the process of facilitation. Within CLH

we have trained facilitators available to

meet with people to begin their explo-

ration. The decision making around

choosing the facilitator remains with

the person.

What is Facilitation?

Do you have a knack for drawing,

sketching or doodling? Do you have

outstanding listening skills? Would

you be interested in taking on the role

as a graphic recorder to capture

people’s plans?

If so, contact Andrea Johnston

P: 705.789.4543 x230

E: andrea.johnston@clhuntsville.ca

People first is a self-

advocacy group whose

members have had the

experience of being la-

belled with an intellectual

disability.

We are raising funds to

cover operating costs by

having a penny drive, as

our local chapter does not

receiving funding. If you

have any pennies you

would like to donate,

please drop them off to

the People First office located

at 99 West Rd in the Commu-

nity Living Huntsville Building.

Pass this message along to

anyone who might be inter-

ested in donating their pen-

nies or anyone who might be

interested in helping us roll

the pennies at a later date!

Thank you for your support.

If you have any questions,

feel free to connect with

People First Huntsville Penny Drive

Understanding People—A Poem by Bill Hiltz

I AM 35 YEARS OLD. I

LOOM IN THE BROKEN

BODY PROMPTLY

JUDGED--LIMITING MY

LIFE TO BEING UNDER-

STOOD BY THE PEOPLE

WHO MAKE GOOD HON-

EST EFFORTS TO BUILD A

BRIDGE BETWEEN THEIR

SPEAKING WORLD AND

MY NON VERBAL ONE.

Bill Hiltz

Volume 1, Issue 1

Katharine: sweetbearkath@yahoo.ca,

People First Huntsville (President)

But most of all….they just don’t understand.

With some time and special guidance;

We can have a great alliance.

For an hour, or for a day;

We all need friends along the way.

So when you see me come along

Try not to focus on what is wrong;

I am a person just like you,

Who needs and deserves a good friend too.

Just walk beside me straight and tall

And be the friend that I can call

When I am lonely and afraid.

Just remember what I’ve said:

All you need is to understand

A set of standards by which to judge

To their friends, they give a nudge

When they see me come their way,

They stop and walk the other way

Or even worse, they stop and stare

As if I’m stupid and unaware.

If only they could know, that I care;

How people view me—it’s just not fair!

I feel the very same as others do,

They should try and walk in my shoe.

Life’s not easy, when the body that you own

Was given to you broken-down.

They may be mean; they may be cruel;

they may be bad;

On May 14th Chidren Family

Services held a Mom’s night

for mom’s they support. The

mom’s were able to make

bath salts, bubble bath, have

their nails painted while soak-

ing their feet in salts. T-zone

provided one of their ma-

chines for people to try as

well as provide give- a-ways

and free samples of Himala-

yan salts. Carla O’Neal pro-

vided samples of Tea’s for

mom’s and Gwen talked to

mom’s about therapeutic

touch and provided a

treatment for mom’s to

experience. The event

was a great success with

many mom’s asking when

the next night out will be.

Congratulations!

On June 19th, 2013 an appreciation luncheon was held at

The Birches Bistro, Hidden Valley in recognition of the

employees who had great attendance during the 2012 to

2013 fiscal year.

Our sincerest gratitude for praiseworthy attendance this

year goes to –

Camille Barr, Yvonne Bush Sheila Cole, Stacey Demaine,

Janet Dodgson, Kimberly Hahn, Rachel Hofsteter, Gwen

Jones Laurel Kahler, Cheryle Ranger, KevinRows, Fergus

Stiver-Macleod, Steven Speicher, Cathy Stroud, Bonnie

Wreggitt

We had a beautiful day, with a beautiful view while we

enjoyed lunch together.

Many thanks from the Management Team!

Mom’s Night—Children Family Services

Celebrating 50

Years BBQ/Picnic

Wednesday August

7th, 2013

11:30am-2pm

99 West Rd

RSVP with Judy Smith

People who have been volunteering at the Algonquin

Theatre were all treated to a High Tea on the Weno-

nah II on June 16th. Everyone enjoyed the two hour

boat cruise on Lake Muskoka and all the delicious

snacks provided. The following people enjoyed the

cruise: Margo Cybulski, Ryan O’Connor, John Tom-

kins, Gerri Lee Nunn and Rex Malloy.

Community Living has two community gardens, one at Rivermill Park and the other at the Huntsville Fair

Grounds. Ryan O’Connor, Margo Cybulski, and John Tomkins worked on both gardens but have spent

most of their time on the Fair Grounds garden. We

Margo waters newly planted seeds at the Fair Grounds Garden

Community Gardens

Volunteer Appreciation

Ryan plants bean seeds at the Fair Grounds Garden

Jackie McAurthur enjoys a cooling off in the pool

Norman Doiron is a special man with a gift. Norman is a man with Autism and other exceptionalities but he has a talent to share. Since he was young he could be found at the drawing table creating sketches with quite an eye for perspec-tive. It is so important for people with disabilities to break through the barriers that they face and allow themselves and others to see beyond their exceptionalities as they strive to achieve goals like anybody else. Norman's displayed, talked about and sold his art work at an art show at 7 Main Café this past June.