MINDEMOYA—Residents and staff of Community Living Manitoulin (CLM) wrapped up Community Living Month with a bang, celebrating the occasion with a sun and fun filled barbecue in Mindemoya on May 26.
The annual, province-wide awareness campaign promotes meaningful inclusion for the more than 100,000 people in Ontario who have an intellectual disability and their families. People with an intellectual disability face challenges in their cognitive functioning that affect areas of daily living. Because of this, they often face negative stereotypes and assumptions that underestimate their strengths, contributions, and potential, and exclude them from many parts of society.
Community Living Month’s “Inspiring Possibilities” theme underlines that the uniqueness and innate value of each person should be celebrated, supported, and acknowledged as vital to the well-being of the whole community.
“We’ve made it our mission to increase public understanding that people with an intellectual disability belong and have equal rights,” says Adrienne Farquhar, CLM Executive Director. “We’re working to build a community where everyone has respect and acceptance, and equal opportunities to grow.”
Community support for the barbecue made clear that Island merchants and citizens embrace that philosophy.
Generous donations of both supplies for the event and cash to help cover costs from roughly a dozen businesses across Manitoulin helped make the barbecue a great success. And turnout was excellent with an estimated 125 to 150 people who stopped by to say hi and have a hot dog or hamburger, including Central Manitoulin Mayor Richard Stephens. Staff and individuals from Community Living Wikwemikong Anishnabek (CLWA) also joined the celebrations. Like CLM, the non-profit organization brings people in Wikwemikong Anishnabek living with a developmental disability and their communities together.
Equally encouraging, many guests bought raffle tickets or made donations to CLM totalling $400 so the agency can provide additional social and educational outings for individuals living in the group homes. While the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services provides core funding to cover day-to-day CLM operations, the agency relies on the generosity of the community to subsidize special activities and to help fill the financial gap for major capital expenditures such as specialized vehicles to transport CLM residents, some of whom have mobility challenges. The agency’s current vans are approaching the end of life and will soon need replacement. CLM wants to purchase newer modified minivans as well as other vehicles to support people Island-wide, whether residents in the group homes or those involved in the independent living program who also require transportation. The specially equipped vans exceed $100,000 in price, so the agency hopes people will dig deep and take part in future fundraising activities to provide residents with a safe and modern ride.
Community Living Manitoulin has ambitious fundraising plans that will roll out over the coming months to help meet these needs. It is counting on the ongoing support of the community to help it achieve its financial goals so it can improve the quality of life of the individuals it serves.
“The tremendous support we’ve received to this point has energized all of us at CLM,” adds Ms. Farquhar. “It gives us great confidence and hope for ever-growing community inclusion and the great possibilities that poses for the future.”
[Disclaimer: Heather Marshall is a volunteer member of Community Living Manitoulin’s Board of Directors]
