Events

Celebrate Community Living Month in May with

Community Living London 

Over the month of May, people from across Ontario will celebrate the many successes of creating inclusive communities for people with developmental disabilities.

Community Living London is excited to participate in Community Living Month in many ways. Click here to see all the fun events we have planned!

  Spark Change Today- with Community Living London

The Members of the New Vision Advocates 

The New Vision Advocates (NVA) serves our community in a truly inspirational way. This group is comprised of people with developmental disabilities who advocate equal citizenship, acceptance and belonging in the community. They stand for the equality of all people regardless of ability and share the belief that everyone has the right to be treated as equal citizens in society.

The New Vision Advocates were founded in 2000 in London, Ontario. The group originally included 8 members and 3 support staff. Today, the group has grown to include 20 members and additional support staff. Building confidence and leadership skills allows them to advocate for change and raise public awareness about the barriers people with developmental disabilities face.

The group has actively pursued higher housing allowances with the Ontario Disability Service Program (ODSP). Currently, the average apartment rental unit price in London is more than allotted for with ODSP. Unfortunately, this forces people with disabilities to go without food to maintain shelter and rely on food banks. Another important issue includes the group’s 14 year pursuit for subsidized bus passes. In partnership with Community Living London’s Advocacy Committee, NVA has presented to City Council, London Transit Commission, and at budget meetings. The group’s efforts may one day be realized as city administration has come up with a plan to offer subsidized bus passes for all low income Londoner’s including people with developmental disabilities who rely on ODSP. The plan has been presented to the Community and Protective Services and if approved the much needed subsidies could take effect as early as January 2018.

A crucial role of the members of the NVAs is to actively educate the community through various presentations and outreach programs. They make presentations to primary and secondary school students, the Developmental Service Workers program at Fanshawe College, the Disability Study Students at Western University, various community groups and conferences. They also work to create partnerships with local MP/MPPs and other government officials both locally and provincially. One of their most prestigious presentations was to the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services.

Above all else, the members of the New Vision Advocates work to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are respected and their voices are heard. What better way is there to champion inclusiveness than to lead by example?

If you know a SPARK in your community who champions inclusiveness, submit their story to sparkchangetoday.ca

Community Living London recognized as a Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice (NEOC)

Breaking News Announced: Community Living London has been chosen as one of the recipients of the Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice (NEOC) Award.

This year, the first-ever Canadian Non-profit Employer of Choice™ Awards (NEOC) recognizes organizations that have committed themselves to better business management practices ensuring successful mission achievement. Canada’s non-profit sector has recognized the vital importance of  incorporating private sector business practices in areas such as marketing, financial accountability and people management while still honoring the sector’s best practices in service and mission delivery. The NEOC Awards is a national program that helps participating organizations create positive brand recognition and gain a competitive advantage to attract, engage and retain top talent.

Candidates for the NEOC award are those non-profits whose people, leadership and vision has translated into exemplary talent management practices.

Community Living London successfully completed the Canadian Non-profit Employer of Choice (NEOC) program for 2015 and has achieved the designation of “Non-profit Employer of Choice.”

Congratulations to all at Community Living London!

For more information on the program and the award , visit http://neoc.ca/about/award/