Upcoming Events

PLEASE VOTE – We’re up for an Acorn Prize!

Acorn Prize, Community Living Guelph Wellington

Imagine a gathering space that is creative, inspiring and inviting?

That’s what the people we support have dreamed up for their Guelph Community Living Centre. This space, more commonly known as the ARC Industries building in Guelph, is a gathering place for the people we support. It offers a variety of learning opportunities and day services, and acts as a starting point and hub for the people we support as their find the things that matter most to them in the community.

From January 14th at 8am, until January 25th at 8pm, please vote for us at: https://oaktreeguelph.ca/

The charity with the most votes will receive a $500 prize to be used towards their cause. Your vote will help the people we support make the Guelph Community Living Centre feel more like their own.

Go all-in for Community Living Guelph Wellington!

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Join us on Saturday January 26 for a day filled with fun and poker,
all in support of Community Living Guelph Wellington.

Registration opens at 11:00am, with games getting underway at 12:00pm.

All the action happens at the Guelph Curling Club.

Players initial Buy-In Ticket is $40.00.
All ticket money will be paid out to the top six players.
During the first hour, players may re-buy for $20.00 as many times as they want.
At the first hour break, players may stack up. Stacks are $20.00 for 2000 chips, or $40.00 for 5000 chips.
Proceeds from re-buys and stacking up goes to Community Living Guelph Wellington.

Refreshments will be available through the Guelph Curling Club, at the bar.

Interested?
Let us know you want to save a seat, ante up, or send us your questions to: Lynn Frost-Arcand at lfrostarcand@clgw.ca

Want to share it with a friend?
Download the flyer here.

Thank you for your support!

Thanks for helping us reach our goal! on Biteable.

With 2019 right around the corner, we took a look back. And wow, are we grateful for all of the support!

Between you, our communities, and families’ support, we are excited to share we will be purchasing a new adaptive van in early 2019. With nearly $75,000 raised this past year, we have met our goal. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!

Your support means that more of the people we support are accessing the things that matter most to them. It truly takes a village, and we are grateful that you’re a part of our village.

Thank you to Santa’s Helpers who make it happen!

thank you caligraphy, clgw, christmas thank you

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

This holiday season, Community Living Guelph Wellington has been so rich with holiday spirit, thanks to staff and their supporters!

To Joanne and crew for putting on an excellent Christmas Party for people we support, their communities, and staff , at the Hanlon Convention Centre. The smiles say it all. Check out the Facebook Photo Album from that magical night here. The team rocked it and everyone had an absolutely wonderful evening of good food, good laughs, and good company. Thank you! And thank you to Polycon Industries for subsidizing some of the party!

To Tammy, Laura and Michele, who made Santa, special guests and more happen for staff families and children. A gift, lots of smiles and laughter, and a magic show that will be a highlight of this holiday season for every person who attended… thank you, for bringing the holiday spirit!

And to Beverley and our Board of Directors for their small holiday gathering. A fantastic night to remind us why we do what we do, and to keep pushing forward because that’s when the magic happens.

Your initiative leaves us inspired and in awe.

Paul Turner – Canadian Special Olympics Coach of the Year

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Paul Turner being named Canadian Special Olympics Coach of the Year!

Tonight, Paul is being honoured at the Special Olympics Canada 2018 National Awards Night. He has been named Male Coach of the Year. Catch the webcast here: https://www.specialolympics.ca/2018Awards

Congratulations Paul! He has been a member of the Special Olympics family for 40 years, coaching floor hockey, softball and soccer. His most recent major game result was a silver medal in floor hockey at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.

Ontario Government Announces Social Assistance Reforms – PooranLaw

Thanks to the folks at PooranLaw, we can share greater clarity on what the reforms to social assistance are in Ontario, as announced by the PC government on November 22, 2018. Below is what was shared by PooranLaw.

Ontario Government Announces Social Assistance Reforms

On November 22, 2018, the PC government announced reforms to social assistance in Ontario. Following a 100-day review of Ontario Works (“OW”) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (“ODSP”), Minister Lisa MacLeod criticized the current system, stating that it created a “cycle of dependence” and proposed a complete over-haul of the system and its administration.

While the government spends $10 billion on social assistance annually for 1 million people, the Minister claimed that one in seven remain in poverty. In addition, half of the people on OW who successfully transition into the workforce end up coming back into the system. The Minister emphasized the need for a “wrap-around” approach that would empower individuals, rather than “police” them. For persons with disabilities, the Minister underscored simplifying programs, reducing red tape and allowing for greater flexibility.

A Plan for Change

While details are sparse, here is what we know about the PC plan to improve social assistance:

  • Definition of Disability for ODSP: The government intends to align the definition of disability with the federal standard, while those already on ODSP would be grandfathered into the system.
  • ODSP Eligibility: Financial eligibility for ODSP will be reviewed annually, rather than monthly.
  • ODSP Earning Exemption: Those on ODSP will receive a flat $6,000 annual exemption, without reducing their assistance. Twenty-five percent of earnings above $6,000 would be exempt. This is $1,200 more per year than the Liberals provided for earlier this year.
  • OW Earning Exemption: Recipients of OW will be able to earn up to $300 per month, without reducing their assistance (up from $200). Twenty-five percent of subsequent earnings would be exempt. Exemptions would start after one month on assistance, rather than after the usual three-month waiting period.
  • LIFT Credit: The Low-Income Individuals and Families Tax Credit (“LIFT”) will allow individuals earning nearly $30,000 per year to keep an extra $850 annually.
  • Multi-ministerial Approach: Minister MacLeod was joined by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities during the announcement and highlighted the need for greater coordination among ministries.
  • Locally Focused Services: Municipal partners will be empowered to deliver services locally, including the creation of a local OW discretionary fund. The government has also tabled legislation on November 21, 2018 establishing a “Social Assistance Research Commission,” an advisory group appointed by the Lieutenant Governor that will recommend ODSP and OW rates for each region in Ontario based on economic geography and the cost of living.
  • Website: A new website has been launched to better match job seekers to employers (Ontario.ca/openforbusiness).

The principles of compassion, dignity and greater independence were referenced repeatedly throughout Minister McLeod’s announcement of the reform. We hope that these principles are reflected in the formal laws and policies that are developed and the manner of their implementation.  Continue reading Ontario Government Announces Social Assistance Reforms – PooranLaw

It’s back – Annual CLGW + CUPE Children’s Christmas Party

clgw cupe childrens christmas party

Bring the family! CLGW and CUPE are teaming up for a Children’s Christmas Party.

On December 9th, from 1-3:30pm, CLGW Staff are invited to bring their families to a fun afternoon filled with activities, face painting, snacks and special guests! Activities are geared towards children aged 0-12, but all are welcome. Oh, and did we mention the jolly guy in red will make an appearance, with a personalized gift for your child.

Registration due by Monday November 26th, 2018. Cost per child is $12.00 (for children 12 and under). To register, please fill out this form, and submit with your payment to Danielle at daniellestiles@clgw.ca, to the scheduling office at Holody Home, or to the Scheduling Mailbox, located at the Administration Building

Go ALL-IN for CLGW – Poker Tournament Fundraiser

clgw texas holdem poker tournament fundraiser

Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament in support of Community Living Guelph Wellington

Join Community Living Guelph Wellington in this afternoon filled with fun and poker competition. All proceeds support CLGW.

Saturday November 10th, 2018

Registration starts at 11:00am

Tournament starts at 12:00pm

Guelph Curling Club (816 Woolwich Street, Guelph, ON)

Format: $40.00 per ticket. All ticket money paid out to top 6 players. During the first hour, unlimited $20.00 re-buys are allowed, which will be counted as a donation for CLGW. At the first break, players will also be able to stack up for $20.00 (2000 in chips) or $40.00 (5000 in chips), as an additional donation.

Refreshments and food will be available for purchase at the bar.

For information and tickets, please contact Chris Clark at cclark@clgw.ca or Lynn Frost-Arcand at lfrostarcand@clgw.ca

See, share and download the flyer here.

Paul Turner named Special Olympics Provincial Coach of the Year

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Congratulations Paul on being named 2018 Ontario Special Olympics Coach of the Year

Last week, Paul Turner was celebrated in Toronto, as Ontario’s Male Coach of the Year. Paul has been a major influence in Special Olympics floor hockey and softball over his many years, including 2009 and 2016 World Games appearances, where both teams won silver medals.

His involvement with Special Olympics began 39 years ago, after he witnessed a bullying situation that really bothered him outside of his local YMCA. He was inspired to combine his love of sport and his respect for all people, and decided to volunteer for Special Olympics and help coach programs where athletes could participate in a fun and inclusive environment.

Congratulations Paul. Absolutely well deserved!

2018 Holiday Dinner & Dance

clgw christmas dinner and dance

Save the date and get your tickets by November 2nd!

The Community Living Guelph Wellington Christmas Dinner & Dance has been set for Friday November 23, 2018, at the Hanlon Convention Centre at 340 Woodlawn Road West, Unit 26, Guelph.  Doors open at 5:00 & Dinner will be served at 6:00 sharp.  Dinner will be fresh rolls/butter, garden salad, golden roasted turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, potato and seasonal vegetable, dessert, coffee/tea.  Again this year, pop will not be included, however, if you want to buy your own pop or juice, it will be $2.00 each.

All tickets are $30.00 each.  Unfortunately, tickets are not free this year.  Tickets are on sale now.

You can buy tickets from Joanne, located on the first floor of the Admin Building or you can order them at: JoanneThorburn@clgw.ca

The deadline for the sale of tickets is November 2, 2018.  TICKETS are not available after November 2 and there are a limited amount of tickets available, so please don’t wait until the last minute and be disappointed.

Parking is free at the Hanlon Convention Centre.

Please circle Friday November 23 on your calendars now, as this party is fast approaching.

See and download the original memo flyer here.