By bevdunlay, on July 21st, 2011  Seeking Nominations for the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards
Communities rely on strong support from a number of sources, including volunteers, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. That support could include activities like raising funds for community projects, giving employees time to volunteer or creating a new after-school program for at-risk youth, to list only a few examples.
Every day, local businesses, not-for-profit organizations and thousands of individuals volunteer their time, energy and skills to improve the well-being of families and communities across the country. They help make Canada stronger by creating change and inspiring hope.
The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards is a new program that has been created to celebrate these Canadians who make a difference. A total of 17 awards will be given at both the regional and national level. Recipients will be eligible to identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant for $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000 (national award).
Those chosen for the awards must be nominated. The first call for nominations opened on July 12 and will close on September 9, 2011. Award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony to be held in early 2012.
Do you know an individual or group, a business or not-for-profit organization that is making a difference in your community? Recognize their contributions and show your appreciation by submitting a nomination.
To learn more about the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards, please visit http://www.pm.gc.ca/awards or call 1-877-825-0434.
By bevdunlay, on July 5th, 2011  By: Emily Mountney
The Trentonian , Thursday June 30, 2011
A local project has been given a financial boost by the provincial government.
Six organizations – Community Living Quinte West, Pathways to Independence, Community Vision & Networking, Community Living Campbellford/Brighton, Community Living Belleville and Area and the Quinte West YMCA – received $61,643 Monday morning.
“We received some funding two years ago for the project and this is a continuation of that funding,” said Ron Riddell, general manager of the YMCA.
They money will go toward the HELMS project — Health, Energy, Learning and Motivation through Sports — aims to improve the quality of life for disabled people. The six organizations, which work together to provide the program, have also teamed up with Queen’s University in Kingston. “The money will be partially used for access to the YMCA. Other activities they do can include horseback riding, sailing and skiing,” said Riddell.
Riddell said the program is primarily for those with intellectual disabilities, but some participants have physical disabilities as well. The money will also be used to develop resource materials such as videos to show what the HELMS project offers.
Some of the funding will also be used by Queen’s to conduct research on the effect of physical activity and sports on the mental and physical health and social integration of local people with intellectual disabilities.
”People with intellectual disabilities will be able to lead healthier and better lives because of the Healthy Community Funding we are receiving,” said Starr Olson, Community Living Quinte West executive director. “This funding means a great deal to many, many people who are sometimes forgotten.” The funding is part of the provincial government’s Healthy Communities Fund.
“Folks with disabilities play a huge role in our society,” said Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi. “They should be able to enjoy the same benefits as all of us.”
By bevdunlay, on June 10th, 2011
The Independent
By: John Campbell
CAMPBELLFORD – For the third year in a row, students at Kent Public School lent a hand with Community Living Campbellford/Brighton’s Appetite for Awareness last week.
Patrick Muldoon’s Grade 4/5 class helped assemble 330 brown bag lunches June 1 for delivery to employees of businesses in Campbellford, Brighton and Warkworth. The purpose was twofold: to raise awareness of what Community Living does, among the students as well as the adults who purchased lunches for $6 apiece, and to raise money for the agency’s outcome sponsorship fund.
Ninety-five per cent of the food was donated by businesses in the three communities.
The fund makes money available to people the agency supports to “subsidize things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford,” said Dawn Lee, manager of quality enhancement and community development. “Sometimes it’s medical equipment, sometimes it’s a trip of a lifetime,” she said, which could include the cost of a staff member accompanying the person with an intellectual disability.
“In the last three years, we’ve been able to raise close to $15,000, mostly through staff initiatives,” she said. Anywhere from 20 to 30 requests for financial assistance are received each year.
Appetite for Awareness started out years ago solely as a Community Living fundraiser but recently it turned into a community initiative with the involvement of local students, Ms. Lee said.
The children talk about Community Living in class and then work with some of its clients and workers, and the experience improves their understanding of the agency’s function and the people it serves, Mr. Muldoon said.
“The whole point of the event is to raise awareness of Community Living and people with disabilities, and respectful treatment toward people,” Ms. Lee said. “We believe all kids belong together. We believe in an integrated school system. To have the kids involved is a priority … We find this entire community really inclusive.”
Two more fundraisers will take place this year. There’s a golf tournament July 9 at Pine Ridge, and tickets are currently being sold until Oct. 7 for a draw that features a $2,500 travel voucher as first prize; second prize is a $500 gift certificate for beef, and third prize is a $150 voucher for a spa. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 705-653-1821.
By bevdunlay, on April 8th, 2011 
By Sue Dickens
EMC Lifestyles – Campbellford – Accessibility at the Trent Hills municipal swimming pool is going to be completed this summer as a result of recommendations by the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Chaired by Camille Edwards for the past four years, the committee is again moving forward under her guidance for another term that followed the municipal election.
Previous members have joined some new ones and the committee is again focused on the group’s mandate which is to increase public awareness of the Accessibility Plan and to advise council on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to access.
“The swimming pool already has a portable lift and the staff is trained to use it. The lift has been there for a few years now,” said Edwards who is very excited about the upgrades planned for the pool this summer.
“There have been a lot of improvements inside the washrooms but what we need now is what we are getting, a ramp,” she said.
According to the municipality’s Community Services Officer Scott Rose, “The pool upgrades involve constructing a ramp access into the front door. The ramp will cost approximately $21,000 and the new power operated door will cost approximately $8,000.”
The committee is also hoping there will be designated parking for people with Accessible Parking Permits (APP), either on Ranney Street, where the pool is located, or on the pool property by the front entrance, said Edwards.
“We have to make sure emergency vehicles still have access,” she explained. At the moment there is no designated accessible parking on the property or nearby.
Rose did say that, “any accessible parking reviews will probably only be able to be completed on Ranney Street for this year. We are always looking to make accessible improvements when we have the approved budget money.”
“Once we do all that the pool should be totally accessible,” added Edwards.
“There’s a lot of work to do, there’s so much that is coming down from the government,” she said.
It’s all part of meeting the mandates outlined in the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, which is part of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA). Continue reading Swimming pool upgrade is about breaking down barriers
By bevdunlay, on March 17th, 2011 
By Sue Dickens
EMC Lifestyles – Campbellford – The ability of the physically disabled to get from their home to a grocery store, or to a bank to pay bills, to see their doctor or to just go to a movie or enjoy a nearby park without a struggle is among the priorities of the More Able Than Disabled Club.
To help with this goal the club’s facilitator, Doreen Sharpe, invited the Trent Hills Director of Public Works, Richard Bolduc, to attend their March meeting.
The topic for discussion was the condition of town sidewalks and more specifically in winter, the problems created by snow.
“When the snow gets piled up and you are getting out of your car, you have to go all the way down to the end of the street, to get onto the sidewalk, which is really difficult for people in a wheelchair to do,” said Sharpe.
Franklin Carwardine, who is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair, agreed.
A strong voice in the community as an advocate for the disabled, he said, “Trying to get onto and along the sidewalks with the snow is difficult.”
Responding to their concerns, Bolduc talked about the municipality’s role when it comes to snow removal and said, “We do the sidewalks so if there is an issue phone our office. We usually go out and follow up right away with clearing it.”
Continue reading Snow and Sidewalks a Challenge for People with Physical Disabilities
By bevdunlay, on February 7th, 2011  The Independent
Three hours per week makes world of difference
CAMPBELLFORD — As jobs go, it’s quite modest – three hours or so once a week – but it’s made a huge difference in Jim Vogel’s life.
He’s a 58-year-old Stirling-area resident who happens to have an intellectual disability. Seventeen years ago he was hired by Bulk Plus in Campbellford to clean up around the store every Wednesday.
“He looks forward to it,” said Charlene Foster, Mr. Vogel’s outcome support facilitator with Community Living Campbellford/Brighton. “Jim has definitely benefited from employment … he’s become a lot more independent.”
“He’s a very steady worker,” said store co-owner Gary Rowan. “He does an excellent job.”
Margaret Ann Rowan said hiring Mr. Vogel was a good fit because he’s very conscientious about his work.
“He had supervision at first but he doesn’t need supervision now,” said Ms. Rowan.
When Mr. Vogel started at the job, if anybody approached him he would be all flustered and he didn’t know what to do, she said. But with the help of Community Living staff, he overcame his shyness with customers.
Continue reading Campbellford job a plus for employee with an intellectual disability
By bevdunlay, on January 27th, 2011 Article by: John Campbell
The Independent, January 27, 2011
TRENT HILLS – A recent survey of two dozen businesses in Trent Hills found 19 per cent of them expect to hire between five and nine people over the next three years, while an equal number is looking at hiring 10 to 14 people. At least two companies are looking at adding more than 25 people to their payroll during the same period, according to the survey’s results presented at the 2011 Business Appreciation Breakfast Jan. 18.
Vicki Clarke, manager of the Campbellford Community Resource Centre, said the two companies were going outside the country to develop new business. “One was definitely the health industry,” she said. “I was astounded by the number of business in this community that are dealing nationally and internationally. Many of you are stepping outside the community and finding there are opportunities to grow and become a bigger player.”
While some businesses are planning to add new workers to fit their growing, needs, she said others will be hiring to replace retiring workers or accommodate a regular turnover.
Slightly more than half of those surveyed reported an increase in employee numbers over the past three years, while only 10 per cent reduced their workforce, Ms. Clarke said. “That’s pretty darn health,” she said, but the reality is there are still empty buildings and the resource centre receives 500 visitors each month looking for support as well as help in finding employment.
The resource centre and the municipality’s economic development department initiated the survey to determine the labour needs of area employers and what gaps could be filled locally to provide workers with the proper training. The survey subsequently became part of a larger effort currently being done by Northumberland County which is to be completed by the end of March.
She said the “hot jobs” for the next three years will be in clerical work (an estimated 20 positions), the health profession (20), sales and service (19), trades helpers and construction workers (15), administrative and business (11) and support for health services (11), such as dental assistant and nurse’s aide.
By bevdunlay, on January 27th, 2011 Posted Jan 27, 2011 By Bill Freeman
EMC Lifestyles – Hastings Bringing people together and helping young adults with intellectual disabilities connect with an “Amigo” is a goal Lori Zapletal has embraced with enthusiasm.
Zapletal, the community co-ordinator for the new Campbellford Amigos in the Community pilot project, has already matched two “connectors” and “participants” and is looking for local residents who would like to pair up with one of the eight young adults she has waiting for Amigos.
“The sole premise of this is inclusion, everybody being equal members of the community,” Zapletal told the Northwest EMC.
Zapletal oversees school-based Amigos programs at East Northumberland Secondary School in Brighton, where there are 25 Amigo pairs, and Campbellford District High School which has five.
The new local Amigos in the Community program is funded by the Campbellford-Seymour Community Foundation and Zapletal has been working busily on getting the word out.
“I’ve talked to every group possible,” she said. “My goal would be to match them all but I will do one at a time and see each of them as a success.” Continue reading Finding the right Amigos Connection
By bevdunlay, on December 22nd, 2010 Northumberland News – The Independent
Dec 20, 2010
John Campbell
CAMPBELLFORD – It’s a good thing Santa outsources some of his work.
Otherwise, his elves would collapse from exhaustion trying to keep millions of children happy.
In this part of the world, Santa can thank the Campbellford-Seymour Firefighters Association and Community Living Campbellford/Brighton for providing a much-needed helping hand.
The two organizations decided to combine forces this Christmas and conduct one toy and food drive together rather than proceed on their own, as in years past. The partnership paid off handsomely, with the result on display Monday night in the fire hall, where six tables were laden with toys, games, dolls, action figures, books and many other wonderful gifts, with more of the same on the floor.
“It’s set up like a little department store,” Fire Chief Tim Blake said. And there shopping for presents were teachers from the three elementary schools in Campbellford – Hillcrest, Kent and St. Mary’s – on behalf of low-income families who couldn’t afford such gifts for their children.
With lists in hand of what the students hoped to get this Christmas, the teachers filled boxes with presents that will be distributed next week. Continue reading Firefighters and Community Living join forces for the kids
By bevdunlay, on December 9th, 2010 Article by
Ray Yurkowski
EMC Lifestyles – Campbellford – Santa’s sleigh, parked in the lobby of the Community Resource Centre, was overflowing with toys and food last week thanks to the generosity of dozens of people who lined up to drop off their donations as the Christmas Wish event got under way.
This year marks the fourth year for the toy and food drive and, according to Lori Buchan of Community Living, it all started with Salvation Army volunteer Dave Montgomery.
“He just wanted to make a difference,” said Buchan. “Toys were being collected in the Trent Hills area but they weren’t ending up here.”
And now, the Christmas Wish is even bigger this year, thanks to a collaborative effort between Community Living and the Campbellford Fire Department.
“It’s great to see the partnership in Campbellford,” said Captain Steve Manuel of the Salvation Army, who attended the kickoff event. “It’s tremendous that agencies and businesses are pulling together to make sure that families who need support at this time of year are looked after.”
“That’s the goal,” added Buchan. “Every child in Campbellford will have a toy this Christmas.”
As well as the Community Resource Centre, donations can be dropped off at a number of Campbellford locations including Canadian Tire, Rona Cashway, Giant Tiger, Home Hardware, Sharpe’s Food Market, No Frills, Stedman’s, Liquidation World and Campbellford Office Supplies. But there are only a few days left to help out. The Christmas Wish toy and food drive ends on December 13.
As you read this, another Christmas community effort is wrapping up for another year, the Week of Sharing at Kent Public School. For about ten years now, a week’s worth of events at the school are geared toward helping Kent families who need a hand during the festive season.
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