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CLOC is thrilled to announce that we have been selected as the recipient of an $87,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant.  The application for these funds was put forth in order to complete a specific project for CLOC; to create a community access hub at 39 Wellington, where people with disabilities can participate in a variety of activities in a supported environment, and ultimately enhance community inclusion.

Evidence suggests that “when people with intellectual disability are provided social support, they feel engaged and connected and can develop a sense of social belonging, minimizing social isolation” (Nathan. J Wilson, et. al, 2016).  Gaining the skills, resources and connections needed to overcome isolation and flourish, this approach begins to address the social isolation felt by this population, maximizing the impact on this issue within Durham Region.

This funding will see the Learning Centre portion of the downstairs area at 39 Wellington transformed into a large, dividable, multi-purpose room and 3 generously-sized meeting rooms, along with the installation of new flooring, and 3 automatic door operators to create a fully accessible, community access hub for educational and social initiatives.

The multi-purpose room will serve as both a fully equipped training room and recreational space. There will be opportunities to participate in fitness classes, karaoke, social clubs, dances, as well as important educational and skill training sessions. The aim of these activities is to help people develop and acquire key skills and personal resources needed to get involved in their community and overcome social isolation.

The private meeting space provides an appropriate and accessible area for people to meet one-on-one with others for important planning and personal meetings. These meetings will assist them to identify and address any barriers to community involvement; and through the creation of individualized support plans will promote inclusion in their community.

The installation of new, non-slip flooring, and automatic door operators will make the area fully accessible and safe, ensuring that those people with various disabilities and mobility issues can attend.

Once renovations are complete, this space can also allow for increased engagement and allowing people from the community and other organizations to utilize the space. This will generate opportunities for partnerships, shared resources, increased social networking and community connections for the people we serve.

Rooms will be reserved through a centralized booking calendar, and can be used for activities, social time, training or meetings.  Once the process has been established, we plan to investigate the possibility of more fee for service type activities provided through CLOC supports and services, as well as renting out the spaces to external partners during the evening and on weekends.

Ultimately, the overall goal of this project is to create an appropriately equipped space to facilitate social connections, increase community ties and reduce social isolation among people with disabilities in the Durham Region.

Renovations are under way now, and ‘The Hub @ 39 Wellington’ will be officially opened in mid-April.

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On May 10th, 2018 close to 180 people came out to Kedron Dells Golf Club to attend the

CLOC Through the Decades 65th Anniversary Cocktail Celebration. 

 

More than $23 thousand was raised!! 

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE EVENT PHOTOS

 

We could not have had such a successful event without the support of:

 

Sandy Hawley, Honourary Event Chair

 

Derek Grieve, Master of Ceremonies

 

CLOC’s Board of Directors

 

The 65th Anniversary Event Planning Committee

 

CLOC’s Fundraising Cabinet

 

Historical Gurus ~ Doris Maniacco, Suzanne Nobes & Karen Dallaire

 

Event Night Volunteers ~ Darlene Day, Judy Quail, Barb Peyton, Janet Hutchuk, Kim Delaney, Carol Marshall, Randy Brown

 

Print Media Sponsor ~ Metroland Media

 

Entertainment Sponsor ~ OPG

 

Print Sponsor ~ Durham College

 

Champagne Sponsor ~ Seamless Care Pharmacy

 

Community Sponsors ~ MedPro Direct, Durham Regional Police Services Board, International Pool & Spa, Mississaugas of Scugog First Island Donations Committee

 

Friends of Community Living ~ Canadian In-Floor Radiant Solutions, Debbie & Richard Marsh, Equitable Life, Piper Barber Insurance, Veridian, W.B. White Insurance

 

Advertising Partners ~ Centurion Asset Management, Trent University, Lloyd Pest Control

 

Event Donors ~ Klarer & Co., Townsend Electric, Adriana Carnevale, John Olver, Barry & Kathryn Carnegie

 

Donors of Silent Auction items

 

The incredible dancers from Arthur Murray Ajax

 

Classic Car Owners Barry Carnegie & Brett Inwood

 

And for the amazing hospitality from:

 

Kedron Dells Golf Club

 

Goodall Media

 

Pump It Entertainment

 

Silent Auctions Canada Ltd.

 

Please show your support to those who support CLOC!

 

 

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Oshawa  – On Wednesday, Community Living Oshawa/Clarington (CLOC) kicked off its 65th Anniversary year by holding a Pub Night at Kedron Dells Golf Club.  In the room to celebrate were people who receive services from the organization, along with families, MPPs, dignitaries, Board members and community partners.

 

Established in 1953 by a small group of parents who were concerned about the lack of services within the community for their developmentally disabled children, CLOC’s origins can be found in meetings held around kitchen tables in personal family homes.  These meetings soon shifted to a more formal setting at a UAW hall, all in the name of raising enough money to create a school, work opportunities and residences for people with developmental disabilities.

 

When it began, CLOC (then known as ODAMR) provided educational opportunities to just 20 people, and funded the school by collecting change on street corners and providing catering services, which often kept the mothers of these families up working until 3am.  Fast forward 65 years and CLOC provides services to more than 450 people, has a work force of more than 350, and provides support through residential services, employment training, supported independent living, an advocacy group, daily activities and respite for children within Durham Region.  Funding of more that 18 million dollars annually is provided by the Ministry, and CLOC has its own growing fundraising initiative.

 

Darlene, who has used services for more than 40 years, attests to the impact that CLOC has had on her life, “I joined POWER (CLOC’s self-advocate group) almost 3 years ago and it has really helped me out with my self confidence and standing up for my rights and the rights of other people.  I used to be afraid to speak out, but I am now able to share my ideas, learn new things, and give presentations about being a person who has a developmental disability”.

 

Many events will take place throughout the year in order to commemorate the organization’s 65th Anniversary, including ‘CLOC Through the Decades Cocktail Celebration’ on May 10th at Kedron Dells Golf Club; an exciting evening of history, great food and music, and a large silent auction.  Tickets for the event will be $65 and go on sale soon.

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The Clarington Project is thrilled to be the recipient of the funds raised at Mayor Adrian Foster’s 2017 Golf Classic! In the photo, Executive Director Terri Gray, and David accept the cheque on CLOC’s behalf. Thank you to Mayor Foster and the Municipality of Clarington for your tremendous support!