MeaningfulLife features stories of accomplishments people have achieved and the Personal Outcome Measures related to these achievements. Personal Outcome Measures are the foundation of everything Empower Simcoe does to support people.
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Flying the Empower Simcoe Flag for
Community Living Month
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With the assistance of Barrie Deputy Mayor Barry Ward and Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke, the Empower Simcoe flag was unfurled to fly high over both Barrie and Orilla during May's Community Living Month. Community Living Month is a province-wide annual awareness campaign to recognize the accomplishments of the Community Living movement, celebrating the inclusion of people who have an intellectual disability and their families!
The Community Living movement strives to promote authentic community inclusion for people who have an intellectual disability and their families. This includes the more than 80,000 people who have an intellectual disability and their families in Ontario who Community Living Ontario has been advocating for and with for nearly 70 years. Community Living Ontario and Empower Simcoe envisions a society where people who have an intellectual disability belong and have equal rights, respect, acceptance, a sense of self-worth and opportunities for growth.
Learn more about Community Living Month here.
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Foursomes Still Available!
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A few spots are still available to join us for Empower Simcoe’s 26th Annual Golf Tournament on June 16th at Braestone Club. Registration includes a fun day on the course, a bbq lunch, golfer gift bag, and the chance to win some great prizes by participating in events like the Long Putt Challenge, Beat the Mayor with Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke, and the $10,000 Hole In One sponsored by RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities. Invite your friends, work colleagues, employees, family members, and make a day of it!
All proceeds this year go to the Empower Simcoe Foundation’s Lakeshore Ridge Capital Campaign. By playing in Empower Simcoe’s Golf Tournament you'll be helping people with complex needs live a more meaningful and self-fulfilling life.
Please visit our golf tournament page for more information and to register.
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Volunteers are the heart of Empower Simcoe and play a vital role ensuring we support people of all ages and abilities to realize their full potential and to enhance their quality of life. Volunteers are a valued part of our team and play a significant role in all areas of our agency. Please consider sharing your skills and energy with us today. We’re always looking for hard-working, compassionate individuals. Complete our online Empower Simcoe volunteer application today.
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Orillia Store Welcomes Back Joe
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On a recent shopping visit to her store, Walmart's Angelin Doyle (left) was recently reunited with Empower Simcoe's Joe Braden.
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Walmart Orillia Assistant Manager Angelin Doyle takes great pride in knowing her customers. Before the outbreak of Covid-19, Angelin and her team often would see Empower Simcoe’s Joe Braden, stylishly sporting his customary black stetson, with vest and sunglasses, visit her store for his weekly shopping needs. However, at the height of the pandemic, Joe and Empower Simcoe staff were careful to limit those shopping excursions and trips out into the community for his health and safety. For Angelin and her team at Walmart, Joe was missed at the store.
“I was driving home one night and heard a Johnny Cash song on the radio and immediately thought of Joe,” recalls Angelin. “That’s when I posted online to the Facebook group Orillia and all things Orillian to inquire if anyone knew about our customer who looked like Johnny Cash. I wanted to know if he was okay.” Like Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire, things took off from there. Many people in the community read the online posts, including Empower Simcoe staff, and the word got back to Angelin that Joe was just fine and in excellent health.
“It’s a heartwarming feeling. It’s great to know an organization like Empower Simcoe keeps people safe because we love seeing Joe and having him visit our store. Joe knows the feeling is mutual. “I like seeing people here to say hello. It makes me happy,” he says. “I like shopping here, especially for a new Blue Jays shirt.”
Let the shopping begin.
Thank you, Angelin Doyle and Walmart Orillia, for looking out for the safety and well-being of the people we support at Empower Simcoe.
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Lakeshore Ridge Campaign Update
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Thank you to all of our supporters who have donated to the Lakeshore Ridge Capital Campaign. With just one month to go, we're into the home stretch to reach our campaign goal by the end of June.
Read more about Lakeshore Ridge here and click the button below to donate to the campaign. All donations are going to the finishing touches at the new home: furniture, décor, landscaping and more. Your gift will help make the new house a home where people with multiple and complex needs will be supported to live a meaningful and self-fulfilling life.
Every donation brings the home at Lakeshore Ridge that much closer to completion. Your donation of any size is greatly appreciated. All donors will receive an official charitable receipt for tax purposes.
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Empower Simcoe's
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council
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Empower Simcoe’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council (EDIAC) was formed in 2021 with a mandate to provide advice, comments and recommendations on issues affecting diversity at Empower Simcoe. With a focus on support and education, EDIAC continues its work facilitating opportunities that celebrate the different aspects of diverse cultures and traditions at all levels of Empower Simcoe. Empower Simcoe Housing Access Worker Natasha Brown is dedicated to strengthening Empower Simcoe’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Why did you join the Empower Simcoe Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council?
To provide awareness, inclusion, a safe work place for everyone to thrive, and to start the conversation and effect change.
Why is it important for Empower Simcoe and our community to fully incorporate diversity and inclusion into our everyday lives?
It's important for me to take an active role, to provide input and insight from my life's experiences, which in turn, allows me to have a unique perspective.
What excites you about some of the initiatives the Council and Empower Simcoe are implementing to become a more diverse space?
The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council has been busy conducting surveys to get a feel for how we can strengthen and better target our agency's diversity goals. With the assistance of social media and our agency intranet, we're highlighting and being more visible with EDI commemorative dates like Black History Month, National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. Knowledge is power.
Thank you Natasha!
Got a question for Empower Simcoe’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council? Email belonging@empowersimcoe.ca.
Learn more here about Empower Simcoe’s commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive culture where every employee, volunteer and person support feels valued and respected.
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Empower Simcoe Developmental Services Worker Jessi Miller could land on the cover of Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine! This Orillia "super mom" is on a quest to inspire her children, as well as mothers around the world.
Way to go Jessi! We're very proud of you. Read full story here.
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Gift of the Heart Award Nominations
Open Until July 15th
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Clockwise top left, the 2020-21 Gift of the Heart recipients: Milestones Barrie (Community Partner); Karl Cadera (Volunteer); Adam Mannella (Employee); Dillon Pilger (Self-Advocate); Susan Ross (Family); Marion Cooper (Community Partner), and Natasha Brown (Employee).
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Nominations are open for the Empower Simcoe 2021-2022 Gift of the Heart Awards.
Do you know an Empower Simcoe employee, volunteer, family member, self-advocate or community group, deserving of recognition for their contributions towards improving the lives of people and families supported by Empower Simcoe? Now it’s easier than ever to submit your nomination. Find the Gift of the Heart Award nomination form on-line here from Empower Simcoe's website.
Presented at this year’s Empower Simcoe Annual General Meeting on September 7th, the Gift of the Heart Awards recognize individuals and organizations who give selflessly of their time and energy to improve the quality of life for people of all abilities.
Nominations will be accepted until July 15th, 2022 in the Employee, Volunteer, Self-Advocate, Family, and Community Partner categories. Good luck!
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Empower Simcoe's Believe In Yourself
Self-Advocates
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The Empower Simcoe Believe In Yourself Committee provides a voice for people receiving support from Empower Simcoe, as well as a forum in which to discuss concerns and to share opinions about rights issues.
Once again this month, Meaningful Life is pleased to profile one its members and the ongoing work they're doing to educate and advocate on behalf of people of all abilities in our community.
Please meet Empower Simcoe Believe In Yourself Committee Member Melissa Swales.
My name is Melissa and I am currently receiving supports from the Empower Simcoe SIL program as well as the Employment Supports program. I'm also a volunteer member of the Believe In Yourself Committee for the last couple of years. I was interested in joining the Committee as I wanted to be a voice for people who could not speak up for themselves, as well as finding my own voice. I do feel it is important to advocate for other people because it will give them the building blocks to be able to handle things, as well as instilling confidence at the same time. It also feels good to step in and help out as it's just the right thing to do. Even though I have a strong desire to advocate for others, I also have an interest in wanting to work and train dogs. I also want to develop a YouTube channel when I have some down time as my hobbies such as singing, dancing, writing and making commercials keeps me very busy.
My proudest accomplishments include working at a job I love, and my amazing guide dog, Whoopie!! I have also been able to accomplish finding my voice, standing up for myself and, finally, being able to be myself. I am definitely a person who now “Believes In Me!"
Well said Melissa!
Learn more about Empower Simcoe's Believe In Yourself Committee by visiting their webpage here.
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Showcasing Shawn's Art in Orillia
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Empower Simcoe staff at 35 West Street, Orillia are pleased to showcase some of the exceptional artwork created by talented local artist Shawn Ladouceur. Shawn has spent his downtime during Covid-19 creating artwork using supplies purchased through Passport funding. Now, he’s selling his creations at reasonable prices for everyone to enjoy. You can find Shawn at local vendor markets displaying his art, or stop by Empower Simcoe at 35 West Street Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm. For pricing inquires, please contact Julie Gillanders at jgillanders@empowersimcoe.ca or Michelle Bernier at mbernier@empowersimcoe.ca.
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Stay in Touch with the Empower Simcoe App
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The Empower Simcoe App is mobile friendly, easy-to-use and designed to further connect our employees, volunteers and the people and families we support at Empower Simcoe. You can register for events, receive program notifications and the most up to date Empower Simcoe news, as well as quick access to Empower Simcoe social media. Staff can also access an employee portal to check email.
For iPhone users go to the app store, and/or for android users, go to the google play store. Enter Empower Simcoe, and look for the Empower Simcoe logo to download this free app. It's that easy. Get your Empower Simcoe app now!
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Family Engagement through
Empower Simcoe Respitality
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Empower Simcoe’s Respitality Program is hard at work gaining the valuable insight Caregivers are sharing of what a meaningful and fulfilling break looks like to them.
Empower Simcoe Respitality Specialist April McKenzie, and Empower Simcoe Respite Coordinator Carolyn Harris, have facilitated two of three scheduled Caregiver focus groups (pictured above), gathering valuable information from Caregiver’s to continue to build Empower Simcoe's Respitality program. “Having Caregiver’s provide us the information we need to drive this program forward is key to Respitality,” says Carolyn. Respitality focuses on providing rest and rejuvenation for Caregivers by receiving donations for overnight stays and community services such as recreation, health and wellness, dining and more. According to April, “We want to be sure we're approaching potential donors that will best meet Caregivers mental and physical well-being. It's very exciting to hear how enthusiastic Caregivers are about the donors that are supporting the program and the connection it is building within the community. They truly appreciate that they are being supported in this way."
What is Respitality you ask? Respite + Hospitality = Respitality
Empower Simcoe recognizes the need for unpaid Caregivers to receive true respite. We believe investing in the Caregiver bolsters resilience and allows the entire family the opportunity to thrive. Respitality provides relief from the often-silent challenges that Caregivers face, in addition to their parenting role. The goal is for Caregivers to experience a well-deserved break in a welcoming and comfortable environment through overnight stays at Hotels and Resorts, dinners out, memberships, and attractions in their community; experiences that allow for added quality of life. This service is provided, free of charge, through the generous donations of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry as well as businesses throughout the community.
Benefits to Caregivers:
- Focuses on the benefits of self-care
- Addresses barriers to receiving a full respite experience
- Encourages respite planning as part of a healthy regimen
- Arrangements are made, free of cost, by the Family Relief Program with Empower Simcoe
- Able to share the experience with a guest of your choice.
- Increased fortitude with taking on caregiving roles
- Connects you to your community
Caregivers – We need your valuable insight. There is still time to get involved. Click here to find out how!
For more information about Respitality please visit our website.
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June's Community Support Services
Virtual Activities
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See what fun and engaging virtual activities are scheduled this month for the people we support at Empower Simcoe's Community Support Services Barrie and Orillia. Download your June calendars here. |
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Empower Simcoe is excited to be participating in the provincial campaign to drive recruitment in the developmental services sector!
This is YOUR Opportunity to build a strong, inclusive community. This is your opportunity to build a brighter future for all.
Do you want to be a change maker in your community in a career that matters? You can! Visit our Empower Simcoe Careers page to learn more about an exciting career in the developmental service sector. |
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Helping Families Find the Right Autism Services
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Empower Simcoe is pleased to be delivering an Entry to School program through the York Simcoe Autism Network (YSAN). The Entry to School program supports children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) between the ages of three and six years old who are entering kindergarten or grade one for the first time.
The program features:
- a six-month group service focusing on building skills that prepare children to start school;
- transition supports for children when they begin school; and
- individualized consultations to support a successful transition for the first six months a child is in school.
The Entry to School program is available at no cost to families registered in the Ontario Autism Program ( OAP) and who have received an invitation from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to participate.
If you have received your invitation to register for the Entry to School program, and your child attends a school in York Region or Simcoe County, visit the York Simcoe Autism Network website to complete the online registration form: https://ysanetwork.ca/entry-to-school/
In Barrie, the Entry to School program is currently underway at Empower Simcoe's EarlyON Child and Family Centre at 129 Ferris Lane, Barrie, 118 Barrie Street in Bradford, and at 35 West Street in Orillia.
As a member of YSAN, Empower Simcoe is committed to providing accessible, high-quality services that result in improved outcomes for children and youth with ASD and their families. To learn more about YSAN, visit their website.
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Get Ready for Kindergarten
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Spaces are still available to join Empower Simcoe EarlyON Child and Family Center Program Facilitators for an engaging program to help you and your child Get Ready for Kindergarten in September! If your child has turned, or is turning 4 in 2022, this program is for you!
Register here.
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