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
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: [email protected],
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.
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