Community Living Ontario is a non-profit provincial association.
For over 65 years, we have worked with people who have an intellectual disability, their families and our 100+ members.
We proudly collaborate with them and our national and international counterparts to ensure that people who have an intellectual disability live in a state of dignity and share in all elements of living in the community.
2. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report 3
Buildings and structures in communities across
the province were illuminated in blue and green
as part of the fourth annual Shine a Light on
Community Living campaign. This year, the
nighttime awareness event saw the lighting
of the CN Tower. This was only one of the many
events that took place in support of Community
Living Month.
Cities across Ontario were
a little brighter on May 3rd
, 2019.
CONTENTS
04 14
06
07
08
15
16
17
10 18
12
About Us
Our Impact
By the Numbers
Opening Remarks
Applying Strategies
Our Initiatives
at a Glance
Key Achievements
Progress Report
Financial Summary
Statement of
Financial Position
Statement
of Operations
Acknowledgements
and Awards
2 Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report
3. 5Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report
Community Living Ontario is a
family-based association assisting
people who have an intellectual
disability and their families to lead
the way in advancing inclusion
in their own lives and in their
communities. As a province-wide
confederation, rooted in a strong
network of individuals, families,
friends, member organizations and
community partners, it will be
guided by, adhere to and strive
to achieve its goal and vision in
all its actions.
Community Living Ontario
envisions a society where people
who have an intellectual disability
belong,have equal rights, respect
and acceptance, a sense of
self-worth and opportunities for
growth. The gifts, uniqueness
and innate value of each individual
are celebrated, supported and
acknowledged as essential
to the completeness of the
whole community.
OUR VISIONOUR MISSIONWe proudly support and
advocate on behalf of more
than 12,000 members
across the province from
105 local associations.
We are an active member
of the Canadian Association
for Community Living and
equivalent provincial and
territorial associations.
We also play a key role
with Inclusion International.
Community Living Ontario
is a non-profit provincial
association that has been
representing people who
have an intellectual disability
and their families for over
65 years.
WE WORK
with organizations, people
and their families to advance
inclusion in their lives and in
their communities.
WE PROVIDE
expertise and resources to
decision-makers, educators,
members, families and
self-advocates.
WE PROMOTE
positive change through
public policy and advocacy.
WE NURTURE
community leadership,
capacity and innovation.
WE CREATE
public awareness and
networking opportunities.
Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report4
Ontario
Youth leaders celebrate
the 10th
anniversary of the
Re:Action4Inclusion movement
during the Youth Leadership
Summit that took place on
March 29 and 30, 2019,
in King City, Ontario.
4. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report6 7
12,000+
members representing
105 associations located
across Ontario.
Our online presence
reaches over
18,000people every month.
Our youth initiatives
reach an estimated
600 people and
186 schools and youth
focused organizations
every year.
We support
250+families annually
across Ontario.
Approximately
450delegates
at our conference annually.
225students
matched with
mentors annually.
Found employment for over
330people
who have an intellectual
disability and have engaged
550employers
since 2014.
OUR IMPACT
By reading this annual report, we hope you will get
a sense of the incredible work that Council, Board,
staff, committees and membership have done
this past year, in support of the Community Living
movement, our mission and our strategic priorities.
Community Living Ontario is the provincial
expression of a world-wide movement which
exists in all provinces and territories, as well as over
170 countries around the world. In Ontario, we are
unique in our collaboration with people who have
an intellectual disability, their families and allies,
and the local member associations which provide
supports. Amongst these key stakeholders, there
is an array of perspectives on diverse issues. We
believe that debate is healthy and from it, good
things happen. One thing is for sure: we all believe
in the inherent value of people and the merit
of having a shared set of values and principles.
This past year saw a deterioration in the
relationship we had with government. There was
a marked lack of engagement, collaboration and
outreach from the province. Despite this, our
work and the work of everyone connected with
us, continued, as it has since 1953. And now, we
are encouraged to see signs of the government
once again engaging with us. We are hopeful that
we can move forward with them on the many
critical issues confronting people.
Working with the government is only a piece of
the puzzle. As you will see throughout this report,
we continue to engage on many fronts with people,
families, local associations and many other partners,
always ensuring that our efforts are connected to
our strategic priorities.
Whether it is by promoting established and proven
initiatives or supporting budding opportunities such
as new funding from Heritage Canada to develop
a curriculum that addresses the negative impacts
of institutionalization and institutional practices
(past and present), our goal is for people who have
an intellectual disability to live in a state of dignity,
share in all elements of living in the community and
have the opportunity to participate effectively.
Thank you for supporting the role Community Living
Ontario plays. Thank you for standing with us as we
advocate, collaborate, develop and facilitate. We are
honoured to work with each of you towards greater
awareness, respect and genuine inclusion for the
citizens of Ontario whom we know, have incredible
abilities and gifts to share.
Sincerely,
Chris Beesley
Chief Executive
Officer, Community
Living Ontario
Jim McNamara
President, Community
Living Ontario
BY THE NUMBERS
OPENING REMARKS
5. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report8 9
STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES
2017-2022
Strengthening voices,
engagement and influence
of people and families
RE:Action4Inclusion Inclusive Design
Research CentreMichael’s engagement with the
Re:Action4Inclusion movement
gave him a greater sense of
self. It empowered him to have
confidence and to use his
experiences to advocate for
others. Since his initial involvement
in 2009, Michael has mentored
dozens of youth to find confidence
in their own ability to speak up
and influence change. Michael
always had a voice, but over the
last decade he has strengthen it
to influence and inform change. He
became a member of Community
Living Ontario’s Board of Directors
and authored a book: Can’t Read,
Can’t Write, Here’s My Book.
Michael even donates a portion
of his book sales back to us.
The Inclusive Design Research
Centre at OCAD University
hosted a co-design session with
Community Living Ontario, New
Visions Toronto, Montage Support
Services, Community Living
Toronto, Community Living Essex
County, Rygiel Supports for
Community Living in Hamilton
and Community Living London.
Our members shared real-life
examples, stories and personal
experiences on how they navigate
within their communities. The
research centre is working with
Sidewalk Labs on the development
of a “smart district”, called Quayside,
along Toronto’s eastern waterfront.
We are grateful members were part
of the discussion that could lead
to more inclusive and accessible
neighbourhoods.
Harness and share
knowledge to drive progress
and innovation so that people
across Ontario live good lives
1 2 3 4
Social Enterprise 65th
Annual General
Meeting and Conference
Approximately 450 delegates
came together in Richmond Hill for
the 65th
annual General Meeting
and Conference. The theme was
Barn raising: Coming together
to achieve community goals. It
welcomed keynote speaker Doug
Griffiths, the community therapist
and guest speaker Luca “Lazylegs”
Patuelli. Both, alongside other
speakers and sessions left
the delegates inspired to achieve
even greater inclusion in their
respective communities.
Community Living Ontario, in
partnership with the Toronto
Enterprise Fund, co-hosted a
half-day workshop that provided
an overview of employment social
enterprises. About 30 participants
attended the Employment Social
Enterprise 101 – Disability Focus.
It shed light on innovative
businesses that create training
and employment opportunities
for people facing barriers to
employment and its application
for creating employment pathways
for people with disabilities.
Lead the way in raising
awareness and advancing
solutions to the complexity
of challenges facing people,
families and members
Transfer knowledge
and information into
practical resources
and tools
APPLYING STRATEGIESSPOTLIGHTSPOTLIGHT
RE:Action4Inclusion ambassador
Michael Jacques is front and centre,
while his sister, Kaila proudly holds
copies of his book Can’t Read, Can’t
Write, Here’s My Book. Kaila worked
closely with Michael to create the
book’s design.
6. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report10 11
Mentorship
Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Student
Links is an opportunity for students (ages 14 to 21) who have an intellectual
disability to explore ideas for their future after high school. It matches students
and mentors who share a common passion or interest. The goal is to enhance
their capacity to make informed decisions about their future prior to leaving
school and to support the natural development of relationships and connections
to their community.
Employment
Ready, Willing & Able transforms and increases labour force participation of
people who have an intellectual disability and those on the autism spectrum.
It advances economic productivity and social inclusion. It’s a national strategic
partnership between the Canadian Association for Community Living, the
Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance and Community Living Ontario.
This is the most successful program of its kind in Canada and funding has been
renewed for three additional years.
Advocacy, Research and Awareness
We work alongside people who have intellectual disabilities and their families as
well as government to shape public policy that is practical and progressive. We
bring a collective voice to the developmental services sector. Community Living
Ontario advocates for the full inclusion of people who have intellectual
disabilities in all communities.
OUR INITIATIVES AT A GLANCE
Family Engagement
Recognizing that families played an essential role in sparking the Community
Living movement, we continue to create opportunities for them to connect and
drive the movement forward. Through our Family Engagement Series we offer
a combination of family retreats, education and share collaborative practices.
This initiative helps over 250 families annually across Ontario explore and
support a vision for their loved one with an intellectual disability.
Youth Outreach
The goal is to ensure that youth who have an intellectual disability aren’t left
behind and are authentically included. Re:Action4Inclusion is a province wide
youth-focused social justice movement. It helps over 300 youth with and
without a disability annually to find their voice and create change within their
high school and community.
7. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report12 13
President of the Council of Community
Living Ontario, James Taylor, addressed
the crowd. He told government officials
that poverty is the biggest barrier
to living a decent life. He added that
poverty increases the risk of poor health,
poor housing and poor self-esteem. He
explained that if people’s basic needs
are not taken care of, people will remain
vulnerable, which is unacceptable.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Truths of Institutionalization:
Past and Present
Working with People First of Canada and the
Canadian Association for Community Living,
we are developing an interactive curriculum and
video series that will teach youth about Canada’s
history of institutionalizing people who have a
developmental disability. The project will also
support the implementation of youth-led
awareness projects in schools and communities.
This initiative, funded by Canadian Heritage, will
be completed over the next two years. Our aim is
to raise awareness about the harm of institutions
and institutional practices. We want young people
to understand the impact of this history as it’s
been experienced in the past and continues
to be experienced today.
Inclusive Education
We met with politicians, researchers and
representatives from the Ontario Human Rights
Commission to promote the findings of our
research paper If inclusion means everyone, why
not ME? During these meetings we highlighted
some of the academic and social barriers that
still exist for students who have intellectual or
developmental disabilities. We created awareness
in hopes of lifting some of these barriers. This
paper was published in February 2018 with
support from the University of Western Ontario,
Brock University, ARCH Disability Law Centre,
Brockville and District Association for Community
Involvement, and Inclusive Education Canada.
Supported Decision Making
Community Living Ontario continues to advocate
for the recognition of supported decision-making
as a legal alternative to guardianship. We want
to ensure that people who have an intellectual
disability retain their legal capacity and the right
to control decisions about their own life. As a result,
we brought together people from Windsor, Dryden,
Toronto, Durham Region, and Brockville for a set
of pilots that demonstrated the effectiveness of
various types of supported decision-making. We
have also held local planning and design sessions
in Brockville, Durham and Dryden. These events
resulted in the establishment of specific principles
goals and strategies for each of the community
pilots as well as identified and secured new
partnerships with community groups beyond
community living.
Flying to Freedom
Survivors’ Stories to
Address Institutionalization
Community Living Ontario brought together
survivors from Huronia, Rideau and Southwestern
Regional Centres and their supporters to mark
the 10th
anniversary of the closure of Ontario’s
provincially-run institutions. During the event, that
took place at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community
Centre in downtown Toronto on Tuesday, March 19,
2019, ten groups who received funds as part of
the survivors’ class-action settlements presented
how they are addressing institutionalization and
supporting survivors. Over 150 people attended
the event. It concluded with a theatrical performance
from the self-advocate group L’Arche Toronto’s Sol
Express titled Birds Make Me Think About Freedom.
Provincial Executive
Directors Group Orientation
The Provincial Executive Directors Coordinating
Committee hosted an event on Wednesday,
November 14, 2019, in Toronto, intended to guide
and support new staff leadership in the Community
Living confederation. The goal was to help
executive directors transfer knowledge and
core values to the incoming new generation
of leadership. Approximately 55 people
actively participated.
Day at the Legislature
On Monday, May 6, 2019, Community Living Ontario
held its annual day at the legislature. The event,
co-hosted with Community Living Toronto, included
a lunch reception with more than 200 people
including many Members of Provincial Parliament,
Community Living members and supporters from
across the province.
Annual Policy Forum
Ensuring a Good Start Early
On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, we hosted
our annual policy forum entitled Ensuring a Good
Start: Inclusion During the Early Years of Life as
a Foundation for the Future. We did this in
collaboration with Ryerson University’s School
of Disability Studies. More than 80 participants
from across the province gathered in downtown
Toronto to hear from policy and research experts
in the areas of early childhood education and
inclusive education.
8. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report14
Fundraising/Donation/ $906,001
Sponsorship
Program Grants $1,683,472
Membership Assessments $473,963
Activities $199,026
Other $76,246
Fund Development $105,092
Marketing & Communications $179,573
Governance $174,579
Social Policy & Advocacy $121,290
Corporate Services $406,793
Membership Support $373,050
Community Development $1,833,598
How We Put the Money to Work
Where the Money Came From
3%
57%
6%
5%
4%
13%
12%
Building the Foundation
The Community Living Ontario Foundation went
from theory to reality on April 1, 2019. In the past
year, new by-laws were created, a strategic work
plan was designed and recruitment of new Board
members is underway. The roots are now planted
for a successful Foundation that will raise funds
for Community Living Ontario initiatives and
to advance the movement.
A Perfect Match
In November, we successfully launched a
Strategic Partnership Program for corporate
sponsors with like-minded visions and values.
It provides additional opportunities and services
to our membership. Since, we have secured ten
partners, which generated new funding for our
initiatives and additional opportunities for our
partners to access discounted services through
the Affinity Program. Community Living Ontario is
committed to working with our members to realize
greater savings for their organizations with the
aim of enhancing the services and supports
they provide to people and their families.
As a young man with autism,
Sam Forbes didn’t imagine that
post-secondary education was a
possibility until he received the
Anne Stafford Light Up the Future
bursary. The bursary was a
recognition that other people
believed in him. Read Sam’s full
story: bit.ly/clo-sam
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
27%
6%
14%
2%
51%
$3,338,708
$3,193,975
15Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report
PROGRESS REPORT
9. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report16 17
ASSETS 2019 2018
Current
Cash $61,357 -
Short-term investments $1,184,948 $1,015,017
Accounts receivable $46,624 $47,311
Prepaid expenses $35,097 $35,073
$1,328,026 $1,097,401
Capital assets $106,082 $124,981
$1,434,108 $1,222,382
REVENUE 2019 2018
Ministry of Community and Social Services – subsidy $1,169,227 $1,095,961
Federal Grants $519,245 $663,629
Ontario Trillium Foundation grant - $90,435
Membership fees $473,963 $429,655
Registration fees $199,026 $212,505
Donations $852,205 $683,448
Investment income $23,884 $39,054
Other revenue $101,158 $110,560
$3,338,708 $3,325,274
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 2019 2018
Current
Bank indebtedness - $29,359
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $329,899 $375,019
Deferred revenue $141,472 -
$417,371 $404,378
Net Assets
General Fund
Operating $712,597 $545,261
Invested in capital assets $106,082 $124,981
Designated funds $144,058 $147,762
$962,737 $818,004
$1,434,108 $1,222,382
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses before the undernoted $148,437 $(35,355)
Designated fund – net revenue (deficiency) $(3,704) $(106,790)
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses for the year $144,733 $(142,145)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
MARCH 31 FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31
EXPENSES 2019 2018
Amortization $23,952 $31,555
Bank charges $3,351 $3,607
Disbursement for external partners $97,922 $123,294
Employee benefits $260,443 $258,562
Events catering $111,857 $96,328
Fundraising $12,418 $101,161
Insurance $5,330 $5,249
Office and general $220,947 $288,802
Professional fees $29,156 $41,505
Project expenses $460,447 $449,109
Purchase services $135,962 $79,562
Rent $113,830 $114,858
Staff training $14,383 $23,257
Telephone $27,829 $35,332
Travel $115,919 $130,129
Wages $1,556,525 $1,578,328
$3,190,271 $3,360,602
10. Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report Community Living Ontario – 2018/19 Annual Report18 19
Community Living Ontario
Board of Directors
Jim McNamara, President
Hélène Morin-Chain, Past President
Jill Teeple, Vice-President
Jack Gillan, Treasurer, Director-at-Large
Peter Marrese, Director-at-Large
Brittany Manu, Director-at-Large
Heather Campbell, Director-at-Large
Leanne Wheatstone, Director-at-Large
Melissa Young, Director-at-Large
Michael Jacques, Director-at-Large
David Hill, Director-at-Large
Betty Stone, Director-at-Large
Maurice Voisin, PEDG Appointed Director-at-Large
Yvonne Spicer, Council appointed Director-at-Large
Chris Beesley, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen Andrews, Director-at-Large (retired in March 2019)
Anne Stafford
Bursary Recipients
Julian Hudson, Toronto
Chris Edgar, Lucknow
Swazie Louzon, Ridgeway
Caden Stephenson, Maberly
Tristan LeBarge, Bancroft
Melissa Turner, Brockville
Sarah Turner, Brockville
Khaleel Benoit, Brampton
Jessica Forsyth, Walkerton
Ursula Anne Fawdry, Essex
Steven Kwasnycia, Essex
Council of Community
Living Ontario
James Taylor, President, Chair
Mark Anderson, Co-Chair
Stella Curtis, Vice President
Theresa Somerton, Treasurer
Raina Flexhaug, Secretary
Brad Campbell
Niko Pupella
Claude Sauve
Ashley Stekel
Nicole Flynn
Brant Mawdsley
Crystal Wales
Social Media Award
Community Living Toronto
Jason Rae Leadership Award
Rex Malloy
James Montgomerie Community Award
Community Living Atikokan
Recognition of Lifetime Achievement Award
Catherine Frazee
Award Recipients
2018/2019
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
AND AWARDS 2018/2019
You can help Community Living Ontario and its Foundation change
the lives of people who have an intellectual disability and their families.
Donate online, directly through our website, or call Heather Evans,
Managing Director of the Community Living Ontario Foundation at
416-447-4348 ext 229 to discuss potential opportunities.
BE PART OF THE
COMMUNITY LIVING
MOVEMENT