Luncheon with the Mayors highlights CLEC’s programs and supports

Community Living Essex County held its 21st annual Luncheon with the Mayors May 8 at St. Mary’s Hall in Maidstone. Front row (from left): Essex Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais, Essex Councillor Kim Verbeek, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey, Amherstburg Councillor Molly Allaire, Tecumseh Councillor Tania Jobin and LaSalle Councillor Terry Burns. Back row (from left): CLEC executive director Corey Dalgleish, Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley, Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walstedt, LaSalle Councillor Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo, CLEC manager of community relations and  resource development Janell Violet and CLEC board chair Chad Sutherland.

Community Living Essex County (CLEC) brought mayors, council members, municipal staff members and supporters together to highlight what the agency does.

CLEC presented its 21st annual “Luncheon with the Mayors” with the May 8 event being part of Community Living Month in the Province of Ontario. This year’s theme is “This is Community Living” with the luncheon program including talks on self-advocacy, support for families, a spotlight on respite supports, employment services, what comes next for CLEC and, one of the major themes, a talk on alternate dwelling units (ADUs) and how they are providing housing for people with intellectual disabilities.

Manager of community relations and resource development Janell Violet thanked community leaders for coming together and hearing about the work CLEC is doing. Board chair Chad Sutherland added that CLEC provides quality supports and services to people of all ages across the county and said the agency is more than just that, but it allows people with intellectual disabilities to have a good quality of life and to have opportunities.

Sutherland added people are also given a greater sense of independence and sense of belonging. He said he hoped elected officials and municipal professionals gain a deeper understanding of what CLEC does.

Warden Hilda MacDonald thanked CLEC for what it does and for bringing local leaders together. MacDonald added CLEC has a legacy in the community and thanked the agency for providing the help for those who need it. She said CLEC is “the connection” between municipalities and people with intellectual disabilities.

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy added her own municipality has made strides in hiring those with intellectual disabilities, and has done more of that through CLEC’s Career Compass and Youth in Action programs.

Corey Dalgleish, CLEC’s executive director, said the support of municipal leaders help the agency fulfill its mission and vision. He outlined the history of the Community Living movement, starting with the days where people with intellectual disabilities were institutionalized and parents started asking questions on why their children couldn’t be part of their communities. Things have evolved over the years and barriers overcome, but Dalgleish indicated there is more work to do and barriers to knock down.

Dalgleish said “advocacy has always mattered” and encouraged the community to be part of the movement and keep creating an inclusive environment. CLEC is trying to provide as many individualized supports as possible and gives them the homes they need to live their best life.

“This is not a niche issue,” he said. “It’s a community issue. It’s a civic issue. It’s a human issue.”

Dalgleish added: “The future of belonging in our communities will ultimately be shaped by the choices we make together.”

Liz Raffoul, CLEC’s director of operations, touted the “Tiny Homes, Big Dreams” initiative, which is seeing more and more ADU’s built in communities across Essex County. 

“We’re not just building homes. We’re building independence, self-confidence and a true sense of belonging,” she said. “Housing is more than just a roof. It’s dignity, it’s community and it is belonging.”

Video testimonials were played detailing ADU’s and the impact they are having, with people living there complimentary about the impacts the units are having.

Shelbey Pillon, manager of planning and technology supports, said respite services gives people who look after those with intellectual disabilities a break and a chance to rest and rejuvenate. She thanked families for entrusting their loved ones to CLEC.

“Respite doesn’t support one person, it strengthens entire families,” said Pillon.

Marilyn Godard, parent consultant with Ensemble, pointed out her group helps gives support to families so they know they are not alone. She said there are sometimes challenges and uncertainty and Ensemble gives families the support and knowledge they need to get through the tough times and share their stories.

Brianne Taggart, president of New Day, said New Day is a self-advocacy group that assists people like her and others with disabilities to advocate for themselves and champion causes that are important to them.

Tammy Dalgleish, manager of Community Living Supports, promoted inclusive employment and noted CLEC and its Career Compass team works with employers and job seekers to match people up with companies. She noted those with disabilities have lower rates of absenteeism and they work with youth and adults wanting employment.

Violet thanked sponsors from the community, including Colasanti’s Tropical Garden, Tom Bonneau from the Essex Knights of Columbus, Libro Credit Union and Ken Knapp Ford. She added events like the Ruthven Apple Festival and the Jingle Bell Run, Walk and Wheel raised record numbers in 2025. 

The next CLEC fundraiser is the Charity Golf Classic, scheduled for July 9 at Sutton Creek Golf Club in McGregor. That event also features the Municipal Cup, which is awarded to the municipality with the lowest score.

Luncheon with the Mayors highlights CLEC’s programs and supports

By Ron Giofu