Inside this Issue:
CLYS 60th Anniversary AGM…….1
S e pte mbe r 2 01 4 Is s ue
Meet the team……………………….2 Passport Mentorship Experience..2 Partners for Planning……………...3 Parent-run Programs………………4 Por Ley Shek Awards……………....5 Summer Camp………………………6 Marketplace Calendars………….7-9 Passport/ Ministry Updates.....9-10 Parent Operated Program Flyers……………………………11-12
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www.communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Mission statement: “Empower people with an intellectual disability to live, learn, work and participate in their community.”
Community Support Program Chương trình hỗ trợ cộng đồng 社
Programa comunitario de apoyo
برنامه حمایت اجتماعی
區支援計劃
کمیونٹی کی مدد کے
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in September was a huge success. The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services provided her greetings and congratulated CLYS for receiving the Innovation Award from FOCUS Accreditation. She spoke about the agency’s remarkable work in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Minister Jaczek also took part in the tree planting and cake cutting ceremony. At the AGM audit findings were shared and approved. New board members were elected for three year terms. Three board members were approved to serve their second, three year terms and two retiring Board Members were recognized for their valuable contributions by the president of the Board. It was great to see so many members in attendance at the AGM. Congratulations to all who were successful in the elections. We thank everyone who took out their time to come and vote.
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Community Support Team Community Support Team provides support and services to people who have intellectual disability and their families across Southern York Region and in various languages. Ritu Singarayer Community Support Program/ Respite Services Supervisor 905 884 9110 ext. 523 Email: rsingarayer@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Tharini Tharmalingam Community Support Coordinator (Provides supports in Tamil) 905-884-9110 ext. 703 Email: ttharmalingam@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Ellen Chan Community Support Coordinator (Provides support in Mandarin and Cantonese) 905 884 9110 ext. 267 Email: echan@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Sadia Shaukat Community Support Coordinator) (Provides support in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu) 905-884-9110 ext. 640 Email: sshaukat@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Mei Lee Ng Community Support Coordinator (Provides support in Mandarin and Cantonese) 905 884 9110 ext. 382 Email: mng@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
Ready Willing & Able (RW&A) The Ready Willing and Able (RW & A) initiative was launched in 50 communities across Canada. RW & A is a national initiative designed to increase employment for people with intellectual disabilities and thereby contribute to advancing economic productivity and social inclusion in Canada. Community Living York South played an integral role in bringing this initiative to the York South area. Four Costco locations in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan were approached as part of this initiative and to date 10 seasonal employment opportunities have been secured, of which 5 were permanent full time employee positions. Congratulations to Stephen Shivcharan and Sanjay Banju who were hired for 2014 summer employment.
Evelyn Lee’s Passport Mentor Experience Through Passport Mentoring, I was able to meet Evelyn Lee, who is currently attending high school at Bur Oak Secondary School. When I first met her at my office with her mother Joanna Lee I was able to talk to her about her interests and her thoughts on what career/interests she wanted to explore with the help of Passport Mentoring. After a short discussion, I realized her passion for food. Evelyn loves eating food just as much as making them. Joanna would tell me that she loves assisting her when she cooks dinner during the evening. My first thought after the initial visit was to match Evelyn with a chef, but what kind of chef? I looked into my connections with the Toronto Metro Zoo at first and a supervisor at Simba Restaurant was more than happy to meet Evelyn one-on-one to speak to her about the skills she would need to work not only at a fast food restaurant but as a caterer. Although this experience with Sue Li, the supervisor of Simba Restaurant was very informative, I wanted to connect her to an opportunity that would provide her with hands on experience with making food. George Brown College was Evelyn’s next stop. She spent half a day with a chef at the school and baked apple tarts. While the apple tarts were baking, we got a tour of the Chefs’ House, a restaurant opened and run by George Brown College. After the meet, Evelyn learnt that she really wanted to attend George Brown College and gain more experience in the kitchen. -Mandy Li 2
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Current Parent Operated Programs Parent operated programs are one of our strongest running groups. Lead parents are taking the initiative to facilitate and launch new programs with the aid of other parents and the Community Support Coordinators. Currently, we have the following programs running in each area:
Richmond Hill
Parent Network Social Group (Age 15+) Date: Every Saturday Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM Location: 101 Edward Ave. Richmond Hill Contact: Sadia
Building Friendship Program (Ages 10+) Every Wednesday Time: 7pm-9pm Location: 101 Edward Ave, Richmond Hill Contact Person: Mei
Markham:
Girls on the Go Group (Ages 16+) Every Saturday 11:30am to 2:30 pm Location: Welcome Center North Contact person: Sadia
Amazing Girls Group (Ages 16+) Every Saturdays: 2pm to 5pm Contact Person : Ellen
Saturday Girls Group (Ages 15+) Every 2nd and 4th Saturday: 10am to 1pm Location: Welcome Center North Contact Person: Ellen
Yoga Every Saturday 6:30pm– 7:30 pm Location: 5694 Highway 7 E, Unit 13, Markham Contact Person: Tharini
Saturday Tamil Youth Group Every Saturdays: 10am to 1pm Location: 5694 Highway 7 E, Unit 13 Markham Contact Person: Tharini
Cooking and Craft Every Sunday 6:30pm – 8:30pm Location: 5694 Highway 7 E, Unit 13, Markham Contact : Tharini
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Vaughan:
Friday Night Club (Age 16+) Every Friday Time: 6:30pm-9:00pm Location: 136 Winges Road Unit 6, Woodbridge Contact person: Sadia
Tuesday Night Entertainment Every Tuesday 7:00pm-9:00pm Location: 136 Winges Road, unit 6, Woodbridge Contact: Mei
To register for any of the above programs, please contact the Community Support Coordinators (please refer to page 2 of the newsletter).
Por Lay Shek Scholarships Elaine Lee As soon as I got accepted by Centennial College. I apply the OSAP and the bursary for people who has learning disability. Unfortunately the program that I attend is not qualify for either OASP (Ontario Assistance Support Program) nor bursary. I know we have financial problem as my mom was off work for more than a year now. When Mrs. Chan called my mom and told us I can apply for Por Lay Shek Scholarship. I was very happy. When I received a cheque from Community York South, I am very happy and excited it. No word can describe how happy I am. Your financial support help me and give me a chance to attend college. As soon as Cheryl introduced to me the lady who is 94 year old and who support me for this money, I am so shocked and embarrassing that I should have support her since she is very old but instead she support me. I hope that after I completed this program, I could find a pay job so that I can also help someone who has financial issue. Sincerely, Elaine Lee
Andrew Liu I am happy to say that I’m glad I received the Por Lay Shek scholarship. The first day of college is going smoothly. At first, I wasn't able to go into college but I finally got accepted into Centennial College. My first month in college going great and I got new friends during the first few weeks. I hope to see what exciting events are there to come in the future. Sincerely, Andrew Liu
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Community Living York South in partnership with York Region District School Board and Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville operated Summer Camps in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
ACTIVITIES Movies and Games Work Experience Swimming/ Horseback riding
Trips to the Science
Center, Wonderland, Medieval Times
Dance Budgeting Cooking Classes Relationship Classes Arts and Crafts And so much more
Summer Staff and Volunteers
We had a total of 6
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88 Campers join us this
summer!!
MARKETPLACE CALENDARS September- December 2014
Markham
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MARKETPLACE CALENDARS September- December 2014
RICHMOND HILL
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VAUGHAN
MONDAY Literacy
WEDNESDAY Art Class
When: September 22, 2014 Where: 136 Winges Road, Vaughan Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am Cost: $80 10 weeks
When: September 24, 2014 Where: 136 Winges Road, Vaughan Time: 12:30 to 2:00 pm Cost: $80 10 weeks
FRIDAY Yoga
When: September 5, 2014 Where: 136 Winges Road, Vaughan Time: 11:00 am to noon Cost: $10 per class Drop In
Register ASAP as there are limited spots!! Phone: (905)-884-9110 Ext 450 Email: Marketplace@communitylivingyorksouth.ca
PASSPORT NEWS
New Passport guidelines on the way
This September Ministry of Community and Social Services will be releasing new guidelines for the Passport program. The ministry has consulted with the developmental services sector and the message we got was everyone would welcome clearer Passport guidelines. The new guidelines will make it clearer which supports you can get with your Passport funding, and which supports are ineligible for Passport. The new guidelines will be in effect October 1, 2014. Through Passport, you can choose to either receive money directly so you can purchase your own services and supports, and/or get services and supports through community-based agencies. You can use your Passport funding to support your personal development and involvement in your community. We’ll let you know more about the new guidelines in the coming months, here in the pages of Spotlight. For more Information Visit:
http://www.dsontario.ca/news/updated-passport-program-guidelines--effective-october-1-2014/
2014 Budget Investment
Funds will start to reach individuals with developmental disabilities and their families beginning in the fall. For example, this will mean that in the current year: • 4,000 families will receive Special Services at Home funding; • 3,200 adults will receive direct funding through Passport. We encourage all of our community partners to start preparing to play a part in delivering this important investment to individuals with a developmental disability across Ontario. The proposed plan would provide enough funding to help everyone on the Passport list over the next four years. In the case of SSAH, half of the applicants would get funding this year and the remainder the following year. 9
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News from Ministry of Community and Social Services Eliminating Wait lists for Developmental Services Ontario plans to eliminate wait lists for direct funding for 21,000 people with developmental disabilities. As a part of the government’s vision for the transformation of developmental services, the province would eliminate the current wait list for the Special Services at Home program for children in two years and the Passport program for adults in four years. These programs provide direct funding for people with developmental disabilities, allowing them and their families to customize their services and supports to best meet their individual needs. In addition to eliminating wait lists for direct support, this investment would: Provide support for urgent residential needs for approximately 1,400 people support young adults as they navigate key life transitions such as going to school or getting a job Promote community living partnerships through expanded Host Family and Supported Independent Living programs Provide more funding for agencies and front-line workers in the community services sector Promote innovation and cost-efficiency so that costs savings can be reinvested into improving services Eliminating wait lists for people with developmental disabilities is part of the government’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow by focusing on Ontario’s greatest strengths- its people and strategic partnerships
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PARENT OPERATED PROGRAMS
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PARENT OPERATED PROGRAMS
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