In Touch

Fall 2013

Larry Markus Receives 2013 James Montgomery Honour Award

Local Pembroke resident Larry Markus, was selected by Community Living Ontario as the 2013

recipient of the James Montgomery Honour Award.

This award is presented annually in the province to someone who demonstrates leadership by

speaking up publicly or helping others speak up, and acts in a way that teaches others about the

abilities and strengths of individuals. The recipient is also someone who is actively promoting

the goals of citizenship and inclusion.

Larry has been an integral force in promoting participation for the membership of Community

Living in their Partners for Life program with Canadian Blood Services. With Larry’s spirited

encouragement, Community Living has not only met but doubled its original pledge goal for

2013. Larry is always on hand at the local Pembroke clinic not only to donate but to support the

members of our partnership who help save a life through a blood donation.

Larry is a committed blood donor who has previously been awarded national honours by

Canadian Blood Services to highlight his outstanding dedication to helping others through blood

donation. The presentation of the award was a key highlight of the 60th Annual Conference of

Community Living Ontario held in London Ontario on September 19th.

Larry is shown at left with his award. Above, seated

between Chris Grayson, Executive Director and his sister Barbara Boese at the celebration banquet at

Community Living Ontario’s 60th Annual Meeting.

“I am excited and honoured to receive this

award and I want to thank Community Living in

Pembroke for nominating me”. Markus said.

Jesse Crawford publishes Novel ~ Desire of Gun Fire

Jesse Crawford was celebrated at the Pembroke

Public Library in July 2013 at the official book

launch of his first novel, Desire of Gun Fire. Jesse

has been a member of Gems of the Mind Writers

Club for the past few years and with the support of

his fellow club members he learned some great tips

in the art of fiction writing.

Jesse’s novel is set in the old west, and tells the

story of siblings Sarah and Jesse who are out for

revenge against a gang of outlaws.

Jesse has published 50 copies of this first novel, and

is now working on a sequel. To purchase a copy of

Jesse’s book, please contact him at: 613-635-7884

(H) or 613-401-7884 (C).

Left, Jesse proudly displays a copy of his novel Desire of Gun

Fire at his official book launch held at the Pembroke Public

Library in July of this year

Thanksgiving Decorating

Contest

Congratulations Irene Demers & Friends

1st Place Winner

Hold the Date…. April/May 2015

Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley

Board of Directors has passed a motion to

invite an Accreditation Review in the spring

of 2015. This process of inviting an external

audit to our organization can also ensure

transparency and accountability to all of our

stakeholders. We will involve many people

to be part of this exciting venture, as we

prepare for an Accreditation Review. We

look forward to celebrating the quality

supports provided by our organization.

Continued on Page 6

Helping People with Intellectual Disabilities

Adjust to Change by Chris Grayson

Individuals with intellectual disabilities find it

challenging to make changes in their lives.

Whether it is moving to a new home, adjusting to

a changing schedule, or losing members of the

family, changes for an individual with a disability

can be magnified due to a lack of coping skills

available to them. This can prove challenging to

families. To assist with smoother transitions,

early planning can be helpful.

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55th Annual General Meeting 2013/14 Board of Directors

Community Living held its 55th AGM on June 20th. The guest speaker, Chris Grayson, Executive

Director, shared reflections of his journey in the Developmental Services Sector. Chris spoke

about his 25 to 30 years of work in the developmental services field, and mentioned his past

experience as the Director of Operations and as Executive Director with other community living

agencies. Chris also shared some of the ups and downs of community living organizations,

including the challenges of funding over the past few years. The members and guests were

entertained by a picture presentation and many reflected on the Governor General’s visit in April

of this year.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of Community Living in the Upper Ottawa Valley, and

preparations and planning for a 60th anniversary celebration and another accreditation review

will begin in the near future. To become involved on the Board of Directors or join a committee

please contact the Community Living Office at 613-735-0659, or contact us through our website at

www.communitylivingupperottawavalley.ca

From Left, Back Row in the newly renovated lobby: Patricia Durston, Elaine Clouthier, Kyle Croft, Laura Mayo,

Dave Marcus, Karen Payne, Chris Reavie, Brian Tate Seated Front: Jane Dougherty. Shelley O’Malley, President, and Colleen Whittier

Absent from Photo: Keith Rae and Joanne Clarke

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IN THE NEWS

In the early hours of October 17th at approximately 1:25 a.m. Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley and CUPE

local 5088 agreed on a 4 year deal. This agreement was ratified by your Board of Directors on October 18th

and by CUPE Members on October 21st. The contract expires on July 26, 2015.

I am pleased that we were able to achieve our first contract without further disruption to services, avoiding a

strike or lock out. I want to thank the many parents and support organizations in the Upper Ottawa Valley area

for their understanding and offers of support during the weeks leading up to the deadline of Oct. 16th.

This process in total consumed over 21 days of negotiation over a 27 month period and has caused great

financial hardship on the operations of CLUOV however, I am determined to ensure we balance our books in

this operating year and to minimize any reduction in staffing or service delivery to people supported.

As your new Executive Director I want to ensure to you our membership, family and staff teams that I will be

moving forward to strengthen the overall position of our agency and to refocus our collective efforts on

people, their dreams and aspirations.

Select Committee on Developmental Services

The Select Committee on Developmental Services will meet and report to the House of Commons

its observations and recommendations with respect to the urgent need for a comprehensive

developmental services strategy to address the needs of children, youth and adults in Ontario

with an intellectual disability or who are dually diagnosed with an intellectual disability and a

mental illness, and to coordinate the delivery of developmental programs and services across

many provincial ministries in addition to the Ministry of Community and Social Services; and

In developing its strategy and recommendations, the Committee shall focus on the following issues:

the elementary and secondary school educational needs of children and youth;

the educational and workplace needs of youth upon completion of secondary school;

the need to provide social, recreational and inclusionary opportunities for children, youth and adults;

the need for a range of available and affordable housing options for youth and adults;

the respite and support needs of families;

how government should most appropriately support these needs and provide these opportunities

Those persons wishing to make a written submission to this committee can submit comments to the clerk of the committee by: February 16, 2014

Laura Albanese, York South-Weston, Chair of the Select Committee on Developmental Services Contact: lalbanese.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Trevor Day, Clerk trevor_day@ontla.ola.org Room 1405, Whitney Block Queen’s Park, Toronto ON M7A 1A2 You may also contact your local MPP John Yakabuski, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Contact: john.yakabuski@pc.ola.org

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Chris Grayson, Executive Director

August 16, 2013 Community Living Annual Golf Tournament

See You Next

Year

August 15,

2014

Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley

is grateful to the Golfers, Community Supporters, Hole Sponsors, Donators and Volunteers

$173,000

Raised Over

17 Years!!

Thank You….

Your support helped us raise over $11,000 at our Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley

Annual Golf Tournament. Mark your calendar for next year’s event set for

August 15, 2014 @ Oaks of Cobden

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Continued from Page 2….. Adults with disabilities have differing abilities and may well be capable of making some

decisions and not others. They may be quite cognizant of the fact that they can’t handle the complexity of some

matters, or may simply be innumerate and can’t handle finances. They may also be very clear on who they want

to manage their affairs for them, typically their parents and siblings. Since adults are presumed to be competent

unless assessed and found not competent, they have the right to be treated with respect and to have their wishes

considered and advanced.

A family can find itself in crisis for many reasons: the death of a parent, a significant health issue that impedes

caregiving responsibilities, or the debilitation of a spouse. In these cases, the remaining parent is faced with

difficult decisions and may be at a loss as to where to seek support. Many times long term care placements

become one of the early options and at most times is not appropriate for a young adult with a disability.

Community Living offers many supports and services if there is early planning and appropriate application

processes in place prior to the crisis of family breakdowns. Some of the supports offered by our organization

include: small group living, associate family homes, in home supports, independent living supports, passports

coordination, respite options and support to access community resources. Families are able to guide the

planning and implementation of creative support structures that may best meet their needs.

The local Developmental Services Office handles all intake procedures and is the starting point to all services to

anyone with a developmental disability. For more information, visit: www.dsontario.ca

News Brief ~ from the Board

At the Board of Directors meeting on October 24th we agreed to dissolve two committees and create

one that addresses the future needs of the organization. The new committee is called,

Community Development and Communications

….ENGAGE….INSPIRE….COLLABORATE….

This committee’s purpose is to develop partnerships at all levels of the organization and community

that promote public engagement, develop collaborative strategic directions, community engagement/

fund development, influence community capacity, foster new opportunities and share the story of

CLUOV.

Key Results Areas: (KRA) Influence community acceptance of people with disabilities: Utilize the speaker’s bureau, social media, special

events, community living month campaigns, and coordination.

Develop partnerships and social capital with key community partners that; develop economic opportunities

for people supported and the organization; partner on proposals that support collective vision and mission

of like–minded organizations; work together to develop broader community awareness….work together on

community priorities that influence inclusion of all citizens.

Develop and lead communications and marketing materials and skill development.

Coordinate the development of Strategic Plan and its implementation in partnership with the QEC.

Committee Membership Two board representatives; one to chair the committee, two co-ordinators; one administrative support, one

self–advocate, two front line staff, three others chosen based on skills needed for the committee.

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Board Member Profile ~ Patricia Durston

Pat Durston grew up in Manitoba and married her

husband Gavin Balfour in Winnipeg in 1977. Prior to

marrying Gavin, Pat completed her first degree, a BA

in anthropology from the University of Winnipeg. Gavin

joined the military and their journey around Canada

commenced.

While in Halifax Pat returned to school and

graduated with a diploma as a Registered Nurse.

Following the posting in Halifax, Pat & Gavin came

to Petawawa where Pat nursed at the Pembroke

Regional Hospital. Pat & Gavin welcomed their two

daughters, Rachael first, who was born in 1990 with

Down Syndrome, and Rebekah born in 1992.

The Balfour’s headed back east, to Fredericton this

time, and Pat once again returned to university to

complete her Nursing Degree. While in New

Brunswick, Rachael attended school and began

therapeutic riding. Pat reflects, “after Rachael was

born, it took a month for us to receive the diagnosis

of Down Syndrome. We decided right then we

would always make sure Rachael received the same

opportunities as other children. We have often had

to fight, persuade, be assertive, and sometimes act

aggressively to obtain what Rachael needed and to

make sure we were challenging her.”

“We came back to Petawawa in 2000 and once the

girls were settled in school we got involved with

Pembroke & Area Special Olympics. Rachael started

swimming and bowling and it was soon evident she

loved sports and wanted to try everything.

Currently Rachael has attended two Provincial

Games for swimming and has returned home with

medals.”

As Rachael participated in more and more sports,

Pat became involved on committee’s with Special

Olympics. It has actually been a family affair, “my

husband Gavin is now also a certified coach, and has

taken over snow shoeing and assists with golf. I

coach, and our daughter Rebekah now at university,

still comes home to volunteer at events.

Pat had a desire to be more involved and joined the

Board at Community Living in 2006, while Rachael

was in high school. While juggling seats on the

Board of Directors and various committees with

Community Living and Special Olympics, Pat once

again returned to University. Pat completed her

Nurse Practitioner certification and obtained her

Master’s Degree in Nursing. Over the past decade

Pat has worked at Base Petawawa, currently works at

the Petawawa Centennial Family Health Centre and

most recently has been combining her Nurse

Practitioner work with teaching at Algonquin College

in the University of Ottawa Nursing Degree Program.

It’s certainly not difficult to surmise, Pat is an

extremely busy professional, community volunteer,

wife and mother. Thank you Pat for your

contribution as a volunteer on the Board of Directors

Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley.

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In Loving Memory of

Martha Schilling

Born: May 15, 1950

Died: August 26th, 2013

In Memoriam

In Loving Memory of

Claude Lavergne Born: November 16, 1955

Died: June 27th, 2013

Claude passed away suddenly at his home in Petawawa, on June 27, 2013 in his 58th

year. Claude Lavergne of Petawawa, beloved son of the late

Ferdinand and Sonia Lavergne. Dear brother of Andre Poirier of Wolf Lake, Qc. Claude will be sadly missed by his friends

and the staff at Community Living.

Beloved daughter of the late Frank Sr. and Nora Schilling. Dear sister of Frank

Schilling (Cheryl), Jim Schilling (Judy) and Richard Schilling (Linda) all of Pembroke. The family also expressed their sincere

thankfulness to Ann Laskey and Bev York for their wonderful companionship and care to Martha over the past 20 years.

The In Touch Newsletter is published by

Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley,

894 Pembroke Street West,

Pembroke, Ontario, K8A 5P8

Phone 613-735-0659 Fax 613-735-1373

www.communitylivingupperottawavalley.ca

$35 Million Huronia Settlement Reached

Community Living Ontario recognizes the great injustice suffered by people who had an intellectual

disability and were sent away from their community to government run institutions over many

decades. We applaud the former residents of Huronia Regional Centre who have pursued justice

and secured a settlement with government for the harm done them.

The case was settled with $35 million for claims of up to $42,000 for each resident awarded on a

point system of harm experienced. “It is hard to put a price tag on the harm done over the

decades of institutionalization, but we take our lead from the former residents” says Chris Beesley,

Chief Executive Officer, Community Living Ontario. “We look to the former residents who have led

this class action lawsuit in pursuit of justice and recognition of the harm that was done to them to

decide if the compensation offered is adequate.”

Community Living Ontario welcomes the offer of an apology from the Government of Ontario. We

know how important an apology is to the former residents. We know how important it is to finally

have recognition of the harm that was done to the residents over the history of the institution. “The

way residents were treated was appalling; it was wrong and inhumane and should never have

happened,” says Beesley. For more… www.communitylivingontario.ca ~ Settlement

The former Huronia Regional Centre