Mayors’ luncheon highlights work of CLEC

By Mark Ribble

Community Living Essex County’s annual Mayors’ Luncheon was held virtually again this year and about 50 people attended through Zoom.

The luncheon allows local leaders to hear about the work being done by Community Living Essex County (CLEC) and the programs they offer.

May is Community Living Month in Ontario and according to CLEC’s Tony DeSantis, it’s the perfect time to hold the luncheon.

“For the past 15 years we’ve used the Mayors’ Luncheon to celebrate Community Living Month,” he said. “It’s great to see all of your faces, even though it’s not in person.”

Sue Desjarlais, President of the Board of Directors for CLEC, said that they must take care with COVID to protect their vulnerable clients and families.

“Although we are moving forward in a positive direction with COVID, it is still a reality and we must take precautions,” she said.

DeSantis announcedthat the organization will finally be able to hold their annual golf tournament on June 15 — thefirst in-person event since 2020 — but the Apple Festival will once again be virtual this fall.

Tecumseh Mayor and Essex County Warden Gary McNamara spoke on behalf of all the municipalities, citing the 740 employees and hundreds of volunteers that serves over 700 residents in Essex County with intellectual disabilities.

“Community Living Essex County has inspired and supported the people it serves in good times and in bad, including leading them through a pandemic,” he said.

Among the programs highlighted during the luncheon were Career Compass, New Day Leaders of Today and Ensemble — a program for families of those with intellectual disabilities.

New Day President Brianne Taggartspoke of inclusion, equality and acceptance, with members Ray Renaud, Johan Klassen and Beth Renaud joining in on a creative Powerpoint presentation.

“This year’s motto is ‘I want to try everything’,” said Brianne.

Ensemble was a group started 22 years ago as CLEC recognized the need to communicate with the families of those they serve, according to spokesperson Lois Bebbington. She outlined changes to the group such as an updated logo and website to better serve the families they represent.

Career Compass, managed by CLEC’s Shelbey Pillon, offers modernized employment services with pre-employment training, job development, job coaching and job retention.

Career Compass client Amber Reekie couldn’t hold back her excitement when speaking about how Career Compass helped her with her job at Burger King.

“They helped me a lot with the interview,” she said. “I really freaking love this job!”

CLEC Executive Director Karen Bolger wrapped up the speeches with highlights of 2021 and CLEC’s plans for 2022.

The organization celebrated 60 years in 2021, and Bolger says they are the largest not-for-profit employer in Essex County.

“We’ve worked hard to find solutions to ensure our clients can connect with people in their lives,” she added. “We made it happen through online, Zoom, drive-bys and outdoor visits and continue to offer relevant, accessible and quality supports.”