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South District Newsletter
Volume 9, Issue 4 Fall 2017
To sign up for a digital copy of our newsletter, visit www.christian‐horizons.org/newsletters
6
CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Neighbourhood BBQ
Page 2
Annual Community Mee ng Page 3‐ 4
Message from Anita Page 5
Celebra ng Milestone Anniversaries
Page 6
www.facebook.com/FriendofCH www.twi er.com/CHorizons
South District 4053 Meadowbrook Dr.
Unit #114 London, ON, N6L 1E9
519‐652‐3663
Really, it’s all about values. Valuing people, fostering belonging, serving others and respec ng gi s are the core values of Chris an Horizons. They inform and inspire everything we do, and ul mately led us to reevaluate and renew our mission statement. It was an exci ng process – we met with and heard from employees from across the organiza on, from people we support, partners, and more. Thanks to your input, we’re able to boldly renew our Mission Statement with these words today: As an expression of Chris an faith, we work together with people who experience disabili es to accomplish their goals and nurture communi es where everybody belongs. Chris an Horizons has been on an amazing 50+ year journey as an organiza on, and this update is the next step. Since we began our work, we’ve been growing – responding to the unique needs of people in innova ve and crea ve ways. Over the course of our journey, our approach to services has evolved. Today we can say
that, because of our journey, we are dedicated to person‐centered support, inclusive community building, supported independent living, and helping people to reach their goals. Our scope of work nurturing communi es of belonging has also con nued to evolve as we mo vate and equip communi es to realize the value and contribu on of all people. Now, our Mission Statement be er reflects where Chris an Horizons is today on this journey alongside the people we support. Built on our values, our mission drives us towards our vision. It is the answer to the ques on of ‘what we do at Chris an Horizons.’ Our values are the ‘why we do it,’ and our vision that – people with excep onal needs belong to communi es in which their God‐given gi s are valued and respected – is ‘where we are going’. Today, I invite you to con nue to journey with us as colleagues, as supporters, families, and friends who believe as we do – that everybody belongs. With thanks, Eugene Versteeg Senior Vice President
WE HAVE A RENEWED MISSION STATEMENT
Melody Jackson fills the temporary Area Manager vacancy for Kent, Lambton, London and Oxford while Dan Farrow has taken on the Temporary Leadership Development Manager posi on at the Resource and Leadership Centre un l March 31, 2018. Melody has been with Chris an Horizons since January 2000. Star ng in Leamington as a relief employee, she has been in Chatham suppor ng the Queen St. and Taylor Ave homes for the last ten plus years as a Program Manager.
Melody is excited to begin her new role while con nuing to assist others in reaching their full poten al. If you have any ideas or sugges ons, feel free to contact Melody directly at mjackson@chris an‐horizons.org
5‐year celebrants Alphonse Hakiza – Taylor Ave in Chatham Adam Andrews‐ Mulberry Crt. in Chatham Bryan Klassen – Essex Windsor East in Windsor Greg Hummelen‐ Taylor Ave. in Chatham Julia Lankin – Mulberry Crt in Chatham Jus na Peters – Sherman St. in Leamington Kelly Smyth – Su on Dr. in Leamington Lehrend Reyes – Michigan Ave in Sarnia Luke Fairweather – Fairview Ave in St. Thomas Mike Fletcher – Dufferin St. in Woodstock Monica Leavoy – Essex Windsor East and Essex Host Family Rachel Helder – Fairview Ave. in St. Thomas Randall McLaren – Commissioners Rd. in London Ricardo Lopez‐Vizcarra – Dougall Ave. in Windsor Ron Bartolo – Taylor Ave. in Chatham Sonia Lovo – Queen St in Chatham Stacey Kroll – Regent St. in St. Thomas Victoria Morden – Dufferin St. in Woodstock 10‐year celebrants Ana Aurora – Everts Ave in Windsor Ashley Aus n – Regent St in St.Thomas Chris Holdaway – Talisman Cres in London Chris ne Ma hews – Essex Link in Windsor Cynthia Drennen – Matche e Rd in Windsor Dan Farrow – South District Office Daniel Morrison – Sherman St. in Leamington Dawn Clarke – Mulberry Crt. in Chatham Deb Rosenau – Graham St in Woodstock Elizabeth Krill – Taylor Ave. in Chatham James Oltean – Disputed Rd in Windsor Jason Williams – Talisman Cr. in London Jennifer Gosso‐Martz – Dufferin St in Woodstock Jennifer Vetrraino – Dougall Ave. in Windsor Josephine Riddick – Everts Ave in Windsor
Kimberly Sparks – Wellington St in Chatham Kristen Essery – Dougall Ave. in Windsor (2016) Laurie Parrot – Sherman St. in Leamington Ola Houeto – Dufferin St. in Woodstock Paula Senior – Dufferin St in Woodstock Pauline Watson – Bruce Ave in Windsor Rose Neville – Gregory Dr. in Chatham Sarah Dolby – Gregory Dr. in Chatham Sheryl Murray‐Michigan Ave in Sarnia Susan Taylor – Dengate Cr. in London Tracey Shavers – Wellington St. in Chatham Troy McClain – Michigan Ave. in Sarnia 15‐year celebrants Chelsea Van Dusen – Wellington St in Chatham Wendy Jackson – Disputed Rd. in LaSalle 20‐ year celebrants (pictured, top le ) Ana Vasquez – Essex Windsor East in Windsor Marsha Rogers – Dougall Ave. in Windsor Tanya Eagleson – Gregory Dr. in Chatham Connie Loker – Dufferin St. in Woodstock 25‐year celebrants Jacqueline Campbell – Gregory Dr. in Chatham (pictured, bo om le ) Nancy Triolet – Bruce Ave in Windsor 30‐year celebrant (pictured, top right) Douglas Smith – Regent St. in St. Thomas 35‐year celebrant (pictured, bo om right) Douglas Eichel – Su on Dr. in Leamington
TEMPORARY AREA MANAGER NAMED
There are so many great things happening in the South this Fall. In September, we saw the comple on of Program Assessments. These assessments are part of our commitment to con nuous quality improvement, and help to affirm that we are mee ng the legisla ve requirements as set out by our funder, the Ministry of Community and Social Services. This month, we welcomed the MCSS Compliance Inspec ons where their team of Program Advisors assessed our compliance with policy direc ves and legisla on. Thanks to all of our employees for your dedica on to quality supports and services for people, and to making things be er. The recent announcement of being re‐accredited by Focus Accredita on for another four years (2017‐2021) is a great example of our con nued commitment to excellent services. In September, we hosted our second Annual Community Mee ng (ACM) together with our Milestone Anniversary Celebra on for employees. It is our tradi on in the South District to celebrate annually with employees who have reached milestone years of service. Our employees are a most valuable resource in providing
quality supports for people. Each day they exemplify many core competencies, including advoca ng for others, collabora on, fostering independence in others, resilience to name a few. This year we had the joy of celebra ng employees with five to thirty five years of service. At our ACM, we also celebrated the Excellence in Ac on Awards recognizing excellence for people who receive our services, our partners and our employees. Be sure to read their stories elsewhere in the newsle er. All of these celebra ons exemplify living out our value statement “We will honour God and value people in all we do and with all our resources.” Together we celebrate communi es where everyone belongs! Anita Bacon Execu ve Director
2 5
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE LEADS TO CLOSER TIES WITH NEIGHBOURS REFLECTING ON CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
It’s here! The 2017 Chris an Horizons Giving Catalogue is fresh off the press. It offers you an incredible opportunity to make a life‐changing difference for real people through a prac cal and meaningful gi – people like Marie Micheline. Marie Micheline lives in Arcahaie, Hai . In previous edi ons, we’ve highlighted the difference that having a walker has made to her life given her physical disability. Last year, she received 2 hens and a rooster through the gi catalogue. Nearly a year later, one gi con nues to impact Marie Micheline’s family’s health and income. The chickens supply eggs and chicks, providing sustainable protein for the family’s future. Her single mother also par cipated in business training offered by Chris an Horizons, learning how to harness the resources she has towards entrepreneurship. We invite you to join us this Christmas and make a profound difference in a person’s life through the Chris an Horizons Gi Catalogue. Ordering has never been easier. Simply choose your gi s on the back page of the Christmas catalogue enclosed with the newsle er and return it to us , or place your order online.
To order online, visit www.chris an‐horizons.org/gi s You can also download and print the customizable card available on our website to give a gi in honour of a friend or family member.
A CHICKEN FOR CHRISTMAS
NEW MULTI-PURPOSE LOCATION NOW OPEN IN WINDSOR
Our Dougall Avenue team has recently challenged ourselves to be extra mindful of how we can help those we support engage with their community and feel a sense of belonging. Over the course of the year, we've connected with our neighbours on a lot of meaningful levels, but the most recent (and most exci ng!) was our Community BBQ held in August. On short no ce, our team managed to put together a welcoming event to help bridge the gap between us and our neighbours. We invited all of those in close proximity to our home to join us for lunch and socializing. As people started to trickle in and mingle, we wondered what to expect from this event. Would people show up? Would people be recep ve? Would it be worth it? Short answer: it was! Our team created such an invi ng atmosphere that almost every neighbour we spoke with was comfortable enough to ask ques ons about us and get to know our team and those we support. Many neighbours brought desserts and treats for us, even though the invita on said that we'd be providing the food. One woman said that since she knows more about us, she's going to pop over and bring us some goodies once in a while since she loves to bake and
has no one to share it with. This is a great example of how a simple conversa on and basic understanding about who we are makes us so much more approachable to those around us! Submi ed by Rebeckah Muresan Direct Support Professional, Windsor
The Link’s move to our new building at 3050 Grand Marais East in Windsor has finally happened. On August 22nd, the moving trucks were loaded up and the process of se ng up in the new loca on began. It is home to the South District satellite office in which Miriam Racinsky, Area Manager, has an office, as well as a mee ng room to be used for community mee ngs, interviews etc. Also located in the front area is the new home of the Essex Host Family Program, Supported Independent Living and Monica Leavoy, Program Manager's office. The rest of the building houses the Essex Community Par cipa on Program: The Link, which acts as a hub for supports within the community of Windsor and Essex county. The Link par cipants are excited to make use of the new space, and have begun to paint artwork for the walls, plant garden boxes, and celebrate together. Last week saw 30 par cipants come out to enjoy a Thanksgiving celebra on together.
It is exci ng to embark on this journey as we develop new rela onships within the community and use this mul ‐purpose building to engage in belonging fully in the local area. There will be a grand opening in the coming months. We hope to see you there! Chris ne Ma hews Program Manager, The Link
DISTRICT UPCOMING EVENT
Saturday, December 2
Interna onal Day of Persons with Disabili es Annual
Dinner and Dance
Loca on: St. Paul’s Congrega onal Church
450 Park Ave. W. Chatham, ON N7M 1X2
Time: 4:30 p.m. Cost for the event is $20 Book your ckets now on
Eventbrite! h ps://
southidpd2017.eventbrite.ca
Contact: South District Office
sdo@chrs an‐horizons.org 519‐652‐3663 xt 2225
There are so many great things happening in the South this Fall. In September, we saw the comple on of Program Assessments. These assessments are part of our commitment to con nuous quality improvement, and help to affirm that we are mee ng the legisla ve requirements as set out by our funder, the Ministry of Community and Social Services. This month, we welcomed the MCSS Compliance Inspec ons where their team of Program Advisors assessed our compliance with policy direc ves and legisla on. Thanks to all of our employees for your dedica on to quality supports and services for people, and to making things be er. The recent announcement of being re‐accredited by Focus Accredita on for another four years (2017‐2021) is a great example of our con nued commitment to excellent services. In September, we hosted our second Annual Community Mee ng (ACM) together with our Milestone Anniversary Celebra on for employees. It is our tradi on in the South District to celebrate annually with employees who have reached milestone years of service. Our employees are a most valuable resource in providing
quality supports for people. Each day they exemplify many core competencies, including advoca ng for others, collabora on, fostering independence in others, resilience to name a few. This year we had the joy of celebra ng employees with five to thirty five years of service. At our ACM, we also celebrated the Excellence in Ac on Awards recognizing excellence for people who receive our services, our partners and our employees. Be sure to read their stories elsewhere in the newsle er. All of these celebra ons exemplify living out our value statement “We will honour God and value people in all we do and with all our resources.” Together we celebrate communi es where everyone belongs! Anita Bacon Execu ve Director
2 5
COMMUNITY INITIATIVE LEADS TO CLOSER TIES WITH NEIGHBOURS REFLECTING ON CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
It’s here! The 2017 Chris an Horizons Giving Catalogue is fresh off the press. It offers you an incredible opportunity to make a life‐changing difference for real people through a prac cal and meaningful gi – people like Marie Micheline. Marie Micheline lives in Arcahaie, Hai . In previous edi ons, we’ve highlighted the difference that having a walker has made to her life given her physical disability. Last year, she received 2 hens and a rooster through the gi catalogue. Nearly a year later, one gi con nues to impact Marie Micheline’s family’s health and income. The chickens supply eggs and chicks, providing sustainable protein for the family’s future. Her single mother also par cipated in business training offered by Chris an Horizons, learning how to harness the resources she has towards entrepreneurship. We invite you to join us this Christmas and make a profound difference in a person’s life through the Chris an Horizons Gi Catalogue. Ordering has never been easier. Simply choose your gi s on the back page of the Christmas catalogue enclosed with the newsle er and return it to us , or place your order online.
To order online, visit www.chris an‐horizons.org/gi s You can also download and print the customizable card available on our website to give a gi in honour of a friend or family member.
A CHICKEN FOR CHRISTMAS
NEW MULTI-PURPOSE LOCATION NOW OPEN IN WINDSOR
Our Dougall Avenue team has recently challenged ourselves to be extra mindful of how we can help those we support engage with their community and feel a sense of belonging. Over the course of the year, we've connected with our neighbours on a lot of meaningful levels, but the most recent (and most exci ng!) was our Community BBQ held in August. On short no ce, our team managed to put together a welcoming event to help bridge the gap between us and our neighbours. We invited all of those in close proximity to our home to join us for lunch and socializing. As people started to trickle in and mingle, we wondered what to expect from this event. Would people show up? Would people be recep ve? Would it be worth it? Short answer: it was! Our team created such an invi ng atmosphere that almost every neighbour we spoke with was comfortable enough to ask ques ons about us and get to know our team and those we support. Many neighbours brought desserts and treats for us, even though the invita on said that we'd be providing the food. One woman said that since she knows more about us, she's going to pop over and bring us some goodies once in a while since she loves to bake and
has no one to share it with. This is a great example of how a simple conversa on and basic understanding about who we are makes us so much more approachable to those around us! Submi ed by Rebeckah Muresan Direct Support Professional, Windsor
The Link’s move to our new building at 3050 Grand Marais East in Windsor has finally happened. On August 22nd, the moving trucks were loaded up and the process of se ng up in the new loca on began. It is home to the South District satellite office in which Miriam Racinsky, Area Manager, has an office, as well as a mee ng room to be used for community mee ngs, interviews etc. Also located in the front area is the new home of the Essex Host Family Program, Supported Independent Living and Monica Leavoy, Program Manager's office. The rest of the building houses the Essex Community Par cipa on Program: The Link, which acts as a hub for supports within the community of Windsor and Essex county. The Link par cipants are excited to make use of the new space, and have begun to paint artwork for the walls, plant garden boxes, and celebrate together. Last week saw 30 par cipants come out to enjoy a Thanksgiving celebra on together.
It is exci ng to embark on this journey as we develop new rela onships within the community and use this mul ‐purpose building to engage in belonging fully in the local area. There will be a grand opening in the coming months. We hope to see you there! Chris ne Ma hews Program Manager, The Link
DISTRICT UPCOMING EVENT
Saturday, December 2
Interna onal Day of Persons with Disabili es Annual
Dinner and Dance
Loca on: St. Paul’s Congrega onal Church
450 Park Ave. W. Chatham, ON N7M 1X2
Time: 4:30 p.m. Cost for the event is $20 Book your ckets now on
Eventbrite! h ps://
southidpd2017.eventbrite.ca
Contact: South District Office
sdo@chrs an‐horizons.org 519‐652‐3663 xt 2225
3
EXCELLENCE IN ACTION AWARDS
Vision Champions ‐ The demonstra on of excellent leadership, advocacy of others, self‐advocacy, or extraordinary assistance to others. The following are Vision Champions.
BETH KRILL ‐ The team at Taylor has faithfully supported a gentleman at Taylor Ave. through some challenging situa ons. This gentleman struggles with a ending appointments. Aware of the difficul es that faced this gentleman, Beth proac vely met
with his doctors ahead of me in order to make the appointments as less stressful as possible. She took the me to educate them regarding his unique needs. A plan was developed and as a result, the appointments came and went smoothly.
BRAD F ‐ Brad was interested in a ending church and mee ng people his own age. The team encouraged Brad to get involved at the church where his housemates a ended. Brad shared that he wanted to be independent and to make his own arrangements. He
called the church and arranged for pick up using the church bus and he got involved with a membership class in order to be a volunteer at the church. He also arranged rides so he could start a ending the young adults group on Sunday evenings.
Brad con nued to advocate for himself and contacted his friend Ryan from Trust Your Buddies (a program for people that are visually impaired). He arranged to meet Ryan in Chatham to get involved in an exercise program. Ryan assisted Brad in contac ng the Leamington Kinsman Recrea on Centre to see what was available for him and through this process he was given a one week trial to see if he liked it. A er his trial, he was given a membership through Trust Your Buddies.
Marsha Rogers, Marilyn Girimonte, Karlene Baert, Miriam Racinsky and Leslie Jonathan ‐ Marsha Rogers is passionate about providing quality supports to the people we serve. Her ini a ve in this led her to have discussions with others in leadership, and a team
was developed to determine how to foster, grow and maintain this across the Essex area. This team has spent the last year or more focusing on making supports be er for people. Their vision is to encourage passion in Direct Support Professionals across the Essex region in the areas of Person Centred Support, Belonging and Innova on. This is accomplished through quarterly mee ngs with Direct Support Professionals and Program Managers where best prac ces are shared, new ways of thinking are reviewed from leaders in the field, challenges are made and conversa ons take place. The team is also busy working on revamping the Orienta on Manual to be more person centred.
Respec ng Gi s ‐ Significant, one‐ me contribu on of me, money, energy, or own gi s in the response to a need within Chris an Horizons or a community. The following are Respec ng Gi s award recipients.
ST PAUL'S CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ‐ St Paul's is a church partner with the South District and we have been very grateful for their ongoing rela onship. In the past year or so, they have generously assisted Chatham homes with some financial needs. At one point, fourteen
members of the youth group of St Paul’s completed landscaping at a local Chris an Horizons home. They also ac vely par cipated in the Ride for Refuge Fundraising ini a ve in the Fall of 2016 to raise funds for global and local needs. In March 2017, they completed two infrastructure projects at another local home.
PROFESSOR STEPHEN MULLINS ‐ Professor Mullins, a professor in the School of Business at St. Clair College in Windsor, was approached to assist Essex Programs with Third Party Reviews of Financial Journals a few years ago. In response, he offered the opportunity to his students to volunteer as prac ce in their field of study. He then invited all the Essex Programs to come to one of his business classes to have his students conduct the Reviews for the people we support during class me. It has been a great benefit to the homes. Professor Mullins even grades the students on their work and feels that this is a real‐world experience for these future accountants, business owners etc.
Last year, he ini ated the process before Chris an Horizons had a chance to request it. He has given us great feedback as well, and was impressed with the interac ons between the managers and his students. It has also provided an opportunity for students to gain exposure to the non‐profit sector and specifically to the work of Chris an Horizons. Overall it has been an excellent partnership and has benefited both par es.
Con nued on page 4
ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
4 From Page 3
Community of Belonging ‐ Create, facilitate or advocate for an opportunity for a person with excep onal needs to contribute to a community. The following are Community of Belonging award recipients.
CAROLYN PALING has been volunteering weekly at the local Goodwill store in Chatham for more than 3 years. Carolyn shares that one of the things that she enjoys the most is being able to see people that she doesn’t see o en and help them find items. Carolyn has the unique ability to be very detailed, therefore her ability to straighten the shelves, hang up clothes or find the perfect place to
put an item is her forte! Melanie her manager shares that Carolyn is always pleasant and it has been resourceful having her around. Carolyn has shared that she feels welcomed and appreciated when she goes to volunteer and is grateful for being able to belong to the community in which she lives.
PAUL R. ‐ Paul was very excited to par cipate in last year's Ride for Refuge, joining Team Hoyt in Sarnia. He led the charge and mo vated others in the area. With a desire to raise a good amount of funds he spoke at his church and par cipated in their Fall Fair. He
fell more in love with his church when he saw their posi ve response. In the end Paul broke the Chris an Horizons record for fundraising in this event and collected $2100. He beat Janet's previous record from the year before! Paul was also a great team captain, encouraging,
mo va ng, pushing others to excellence, and ge ng the word out to his church.
TROY MCCLAIN ‐ For the past two years, Troy has arranged for the Ride for Refuge to take place in Sarnia. It started out as a small team but thanks to his dedica on, Troy has led the team ensuring that the
Sarnia Bluewater Bravehearts are ready to heed the call. In 2016, Troy managed to start a partnership with Team Hoyt Canada. Suddenly, those that would have had great difficulty riding or walking in the event were able to par cipate. Team Hoyt provided four accessible
rider/wheelchairs, and they also provided the volunteers to assist people to par cipate. Behind the scenes, it was Troy's ini a ve that made this event so successful. From arranging volunteers, going to churches, planning a celebratory BBQ, to encouraging and advoca ng for dona ons, his hard work resulted in 3 of the top 10 earners for dona ons being members from the Sarnia Bluewater Bravehearts—a li le team of 9 people got almost 200 dona ons! That is quite the accomplishment and we recognize the incredible leadership, ini a ve and amazing dedica on that Troy showed for the Ride For Refuge. Troy wanted the focus to be inclusion, belonging and par cipa on in the Ride for Refuge. He decided to relinquish his "Team Captain" status and gave the tle over to Paul R. Troy has a humble a tude and in his words he said what he loved about Ride for Refuge that it is "All about belonging, all included, all contribu ng to the cause and all about making dreams come true now and in the future for Chris an Horizons"
RIDE FOR REFUGE 2017 Windsor ‐ On September 30th, the Chris an Horizons Heroes team joined the Downtown Mission for Ride for Refuge again this year. Our team was smaller than usual, but not lacking in enthusiasm. An H (far right) led the pack of walkers. There were five team members who raised funds including three individuals supported by Host Families. Our team raised $892. Leamington ‐ Trophies were given out at the Leamington Ride for Refuge. Dariel (who finished the Ride first), Geralyn (who finished the walk first) and Richard (who raised the most money $1,220.00) were all recognized. Sarnia ‐ The Sarnia Bluewater Bravehearts partnered with Team Hoyt Canada and their volunteers. Seven people supported by Chris an Horizons were able to par cipate in the Ride for Refuge, thanks to the specialized
wheelchairs provided by Team Hoyt Canada. Our friends Sid & Lindsay VanReenen allowed us to use their farm as our beginning and ending loca on, and everyone enjoyed a BBQ to celebrate crossing the finish line! Thank you to Paul, Kevin, Sco , Greg, Troy, Laurie, John, Kimberly and Yolanda for raising $4,774 for Chris an Horizons. Woodstock ‐ The Oxford Moto‐vators had 5 team members and raised $1,023. On September 30, seven of us walked down the path at Roth Park in Woodstock. It was a warm lovely day, and a er our walk we enjoyed some light refreshments. London/Elgin ‐ The CH Riders raised just over $1,300.00. Michael A. led the team and shares that it was a great day for a walk. He wants to thank the people for sponsoring.
South District Newsletter
Volume 9, Issue 4 Fall 2017
To sign up for a digital copy of our newsletter, visit www.christian‐horizons.org/newsletters
6
CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Neighbourhood BBQ
Page 2
Annual Community Mee ng Page 3‐ 4
Message from Anita Page 5
Celebra ng Milestone Anniversaries
Page 6
www.facebook.com/FriendofCH www.twi er.com/CHorizons
South District 4053 Meadowbrook Dr.
Unit #114 London, ON, N6L 1E9
519‐652‐3663
Really, it’s all about values. Valuing people, fostering belonging, serving others and respec ng gi s are the core values of Chris an Horizons. They inform and inspire everything we do, and ul mately led us to reevaluate and renew our mission statement. It was an exci ng process – we met with and heard from employees from across the organiza on, from people we support, partners, and more. Thanks to your input, we’re able to boldly renew our Mission Statement with these words today: As an expression of Chris an faith, we work together with people who experience disabili es to accomplish their goals and nurture communi es where everybody belongs. Chris an Horizons has been on an amazing 50+ year journey as an organiza on, and this update is the next step. Since we began our work, we’ve been growing – responding to the unique needs of people in innova ve and crea ve ways. Over the course of our journey, our approach to services has evolved. Today we can say
that, because of our journey, we are dedicated to person‐centered support, inclusive community building, supported independent living, and helping people to reach their goals. Our scope of work nurturing communi es of belonging has also con nued to evolve as we mo vate and equip communi es to realize the value and contribu on of all people. Now, our Mission Statement be er reflects where Chris an Horizons is today on this journey alongside the people we support. Built on our values, our mission drives us towards our vision. It is the answer to the ques on of ‘what we do at Chris an Horizons.’ Our values are the ‘why we do it,’ and our vision that – people with excep onal needs belong to communi es in which their God‐given gi s are valued and respected – is ‘where we are going’. Today, I invite you to con nue to journey with us as colleagues, as supporters, families, and friends who believe as we do – that everybody belongs. With thanks, Eugene Versteeg Senior Vice President
WE HAVE A RENEWED MISSION STATEMENT
Melody Jackson fills the temporary Area Manager vacancy for Kent, Lambton, London and Oxford while Dan Farrow has taken on the Temporary Leadership Development Manager posi on at the Resource and Leadership Centre un l March 31, 2018. Melody has been with Chris an Horizons since January 2000. Star ng in Leamington as a relief employee, she has been in Chatham suppor ng the Queen St. and Taylor Ave homes for the last ten plus years as a Program Manager.
Melody is excited to begin her new role while con nuing to assist others in reaching their full poten al. If you have any ideas or sugges ons, feel free to contact Melody directly at mjackson@chris an‐horizons.org
5‐year celebrants Alphonse Hakiza – Taylor Ave in Chatham Adam Andrews‐ Mulberry Crt. in Chatham Bryan Klassen – Essex Windsor East in Windsor Greg Hummelen‐ Taylor Ave. in Chatham Julia Lankin – Mulberry Crt in Chatham Jus na Peters – Sherman St. in Leamington Kelly Smyth – Su on Dr. in Leamington Lehrend Reyes – Michigan Ave in Sarnia Luke Fairweather – Fairview Ave in St. Thomas Mike Fletcher – Dufferin St. in Woodstock Monica Leavoy – Essex Windsor East and Essex Host Family Rachel Helder – Fairview Ave. in St. Thomas Randall McLaren – Commissioners Rd. in London Ricardo Lopez‐Vizcarra – Dougall Ave. in Windsor Ron Bartolo – Taylor Ave. in Chatham Sonia Lovo – Queen St in Chatham Stacey Kroll – Regent St. in St. Thomas Victoria Morden – Dufferin St. in Woodstock 10‐year celebrants Ana Aurora – Everts Ave in Windsor Ashley Aus n – Regent St in St.Thomas Chris Holdaway – Talisman Cres in London Chris ne Ma hews – Essex Link in Windsor Cynthia Drennen – Matche e Rd in Windsor Dan Farrow – South District Office Daniel Morrison – Sherman St. in Leamington Dawn Clarke – Mulberry Crt. in Chatham Deb Rosenau – Graham St in Woodstock Elizabeth Krill – Taylor Ave. in Chatham James Oltean – Disputed Rd in Windsor Jason Williams – Talisman Cr. in London Jennifer Gosso‐Martz – Dufferin St in Woodstock Jennifer Vetrraino – Dougall Ave. in Windsor Josephine Riddick – Everts Ave in Windsor
Kimberly Sparks – Wellington St in Chatham Kristen Essery – Dougall Ave. in Windsor (2016) Laurie Parrot – Sherman St. in Leamington Ola Houeto – Dufferin St. in Woodstock Paula Senior – Dufferin St in Woodstock Pauline Watson – Bruce Ave in Windsor Rose Neville – Gregory Dr. in Chatham Sarah Dolby – Gregory Dr. in Chatham Sheryl Murray‐Michigan Ave in Sarnia Susan Taylor – Dengate Cr. in London Tracey Shavers – Wellington St. in Chatham Troy McClain – Michigan Ave. in Sarnia 15‐year celebrants Chelsea Van Dusen – Wellington St in Chatham Wendy Jackson – Disputed Rd. in LaSalle 20‐ year celebrants (pictured, top le ) Ana Vasquez – Essex Windsor East in Windsor Marsha Rogers – Dougall Ave. in Windsor Tanya Eagleson – Gregory Dr. in Chatham Connie Loker – Dufferin St. in Woodstock 25‐year celebrants Jacqueline Campbell – Gregory Dr. in Chatham (pictured, bo om le ) Nancy Triolet – Bruce Ave in Windsor 30‐year celebrant (pictured, top right) Douglas Smith – Regent St. in St. Thomas 35‐year celebrant (pictured, bo om right) Douglas Eichel – Su on Dr. in Leamington
TEMPORARY AREA MANAGER NAMED