Community Living Essex County (CLEC) held their 21st annual Luncheon with the Mayors on Friday, May 8 at St. Marys Hall in Maidstone.
The county was well represented by mayors, deputy mayors or other municipal representatives, with lunch served and a speaker program took place over the course of the event. CLEC’s Manager of Community Relations and Resource Development Janell Violet served as the emcee for the event and invited Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald and Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy up to speak.
CLEC Board Chair Chad Sutherland talked about the connections with the community and gave way to CLEC Executive Director Corey Dalgleish, who talked about all that Community Living does and then returned later for a presentation on the Story of Community Living in Essex County.
Tammy Dalgliesh, Manager of Community Living Support, shone the spotlight on Career Compass, which is CLEC’s employment service. She outlined the many cases where CLEC clients have joined the workforce and highlighted some of the businesses who have partnered with CLEC to bring on of their clients into the workforce.
Brianne Taggart, President of New Day and also a member of the CLEC Board of Directors, spoke about the New Day program and how the self-advocacy group does important work for the organization.
Marilyn Godard represented Ensemble, another program offered that connects parents who are dealing with any situation.
Liz Raffoul, Director ofCommunity Living Operations talked about one of their latest projects called Tiny Homes, Big Dreams. CLEC has built three tiny homes on existing CLEC properties and house three individuals in those homes, creating a great feeling of independence and freedom. More tiny homes are in the works.
Shelbey Pillon, CLEC’s Manager of Planning and Technology Support then shone a spotlight on Respite Supports and read a moving letter from a family who have experienced the weekend or overnight respite help, which benefits the families greatly and also gets the client out into a different but safe environment.
