A Million PossibilitiesA Million Possibilities

Community Living Ontario opens hearts and minds and supports people who

have an intellectual disability to lead full, inclusive lives while enriching their

communities. Together, let’s create further opportunities for people to participate

in all aspects of society and grow our community. Shouldn’t we all have the

opportunity to live rich, meaningful lives with dignity, equity and respect?

A Million Possibilities

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Join us on our journey to raise $1 million dollars to advance

initiatives in the areas of youth and family engagement,

advocacy as well as urgent priorities.

A Million Possibilities is Adam. “Adam now belongs to two teen clubs at the library and takes music lessons. The connections we have made with

other families through Community Living Ontario’s Family Leadership Series has opened a whole new world of

possibility for our son.” - Laurie Frandsen, Parent

Be a Part ofThe Campaign

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All parents want to provide engaging, life-enriching

opportunities for their children. The Family Engagement

Series provides a space for families of children and youth who

have an intellectual disability to see what’s possible and helps to

make that vision become a reality. Community Living Ontario’s

Family Leadership Series brings that vision to life by connecting

families and assisting them in sharing knowledge, experiences

and expertise.

Imagine what could be possible in our communities if more

parents could participate in this type of family engagement. Share

in the joy that the Family Leadership Series brings to so many

Ontarians and help grow this opportunity for life-altering change

for more families across the province.

FamilyEngagement

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A Million Possibilities is Patricia & Gabi.“After attending the Family Leadership Series in Orillia, I left with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Education

and interaction were key parts of the series. The guest speakers, workshop experiences and meeting other

parents from across the province in similar situations helped remove the feeling of isolation. It opened

up conversations about similar struggles we were having with the school system, with finding community

activities that had barriers to participation and, ultimately, it gave me the tools and supports so that I could

then venture out in my community and start building from what we had.

This renewed enthusiasm enabled me to reconnect with all the families I knew in Caledon and we created

the parent network, Caledon Area Families for Inclusion. It also resulted in the creation of the Caledon

Housing Initiative. We are working with the Town to address the lack of housing options for young adults. The

Family Leadership Series opened my eyes to what was possible for Gabi, as well as myself.”

- Patricia Franks, Parent

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Community Living Ontario has supported thousands

of youth to advance inclusion and raise awareness

around the importance of all students learning with their

friends in their neighborhood school.

YouthEngagement

A Million Possibilities is Brittany. “I think an important piece of this movement is that it gathers people who look at inclusion through a lens

of diversity. You learn that you cannot understand people if you choose to see them from how the media or

stereotypes tell you to or even with your own personal bias. We must see one another as community partners,

with something to contribute, be it from their own experience or relationships.”

- Brittany Manu, Re:Action4Inclusion Ambassador10 11

Re:Action4Inclusion is a youth engagement initiative

which encourages young people to be advocates and to

influence the culture of their schools and communities. It is

also a movement of youth with and without a disability who are

raising the consciousness of teens and young adults across the

province to question their perceptions of disability.

Re:Action4InclusionThe Work

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Here are examples of the work that is being done:

A digital magazine written and produced

by youth and youth-serving organizations

who are sharing their perspectives on the

importance of social justice issues.

A student-led speakers’ bureau, recognizing

the voices of youth that have been impacted

by the Re:Action4Inclusion movement.

A diversity and leadership conference.

A four-part workshop series for youth to

discuss empowerment, leadership and social

justice issues that are important to them.

A Million Possibilities is Michael. “I came back to my high school after the Re:Action4Inclusion Conference questioning some things. I asked could

we have a representative on student council who had an intellectual disability? I asked could we have more

photos of what we are involved in? I asked could we have pep rallies at our basketball games like the other teams

within our school? I worked with my school to make quite a few positive changes.”

- Michael Jacques, Inspirational Speaker, Special Needs Advocate and Re:Action4Inclusion Ambassador

Imagine all of the possibilities that can arise when young people go back to their

school and community with ideas for change and greater inclusion. 12 13

Anne Stafford worked tirelessly over 30 years to help

families to pursue alternatives to institutionalization. Upon

Anne’s retirement in 1993, she created the Light Up the Future

Bursary - a legacy that would support young people who have

an intellectual disability to pursue professional development

opportunities through education.

Community Living Ontario is growing the Light up the Future

Bursary to provide even more opportunities for people to

explore their potential.

Anne Stafford Light Up the Future Bursary

A Million Possibilities is Yvonne. “I knew that I needed more education as my public school experience was not a very positive one. All my life I was

told I can’t do anything, I won’t amount to a hill of beans. The Anne Stafford Light Up the Future Bursary helped

me to go to college and work on building my business skills. It’s been really meaningful to me.”

Yvonne Spicer, Disability Advocate, College Student, and Council Representative

on Community Living Ontario’s Board of Directors

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Community Living Ontario brings together a diverse network

of people and organizations for the purpose of achieving full

participation, inclusion and citizenship for all. This is accomplished

by working with like-minded people, families and groups across

Ontario to present the best case before government on issues of

greatest importance to people who have an intellectual disability.

We advocate, develop position papers and meet with

stakeholders to create a unified voice for all. This work requires

annual funding. Help us ensure the full inclusion of people who

have an intellectual disability across Ontario.

A Million Possibilities is Hélène. “As a parent of a young man living with an intellectual disability who is able in so many ways, I have had and

continue to fight to have him partake in the same opportunities as his brothers: a quality education in a fully

inclusive system, suitable employment geared to his abilities, long lasting friendships, and a home of his own -

these should all be available without any need to justify why. I feel that it is time that we see and refer to all our

neighbours and citizens as ‘people first’ and forget the differences that make us see them as less of a person.”

- Hélène Morin-Chain, Parent and Past President of Community Living Ontario

Advocacy

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From time to time, Community Living Ontario is called upon to support an urgent issue. A recent

example involved Audrey Cole, who was informed that her son, Ian, would have to be moved to a long-

term care facility because he exceeded the maximum home nursing support services by one visit a day.

The Coles had no choice but to launch a human rights complaint, as Ian had been living in his own home

and there was no question about his desire to continue to do so.

Thankfully, the Cole Family with support from Community Living Ontario was successful in having a

regulation changed, allowing for the additional nursing visit so that Ian could continue living in his own

home – a change that is now in place for all Ontarians!

Following this complaint, Community Living Ontario co-chaired the Complex Needs Working Group

with the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care to produce a report with eight recommendations to reform

home care and community services to enable adults who have an intellectual disability and complex

medical needs to remain where they wish to be, at home and in their community.

Urgent Priorities

We can have a greater impact on critical issues

happening throughout Ontario with your support.

You can make a difference! 18 19

For more information on how to donate and contribute to the

A Million Possibilities Campaign, please contact:

Ron LarocheDirector of Communications, Marketing and Fund Development

rlaroche@communitylivingontario.ca416-447-4348 ext. 223

Heather EvansManager of Strategic Partnerships and Fund Development

hevans@communitylivingontario.ca416-447-4348 ext. 229

Community Living Ontario is a registered Canadian charity.

Charitable No: 119248524RR0001

www.communitylivingontario.ca@CLOntario

@CLOntariofacebook.com/communitylivingontario