CLA Hosts Elliot Lake Engagement Session & BBQ
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Elliot Lake – Building a Community Together
If you asked random people what community means to them, chances are that many of the responses will includes the words such as ‘people gathering together’ and ‘food.’ There is much more content as to what makes up a community, however, those two examples are cornerstones. AT CLA, we kept those deliverables in mind as we examined various ways in which we could bring our 70th Anniversary celebration into our Algoma communities.
Our first task was to ensure that people were welcome to be part of a conversation where they could learn about CLA and how we may be of benefit to them or their loved one. This came in the form of our Adult Family Engagement Session, hosted on Sept 4 at our Elliot Lake office located at 9&11 Saskatchewan Road. Note: We’re hosting another one in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, September 10. Click here to RSVP.
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“We were so appreciative of the families plus the self-advocates who came in to share their stories in an informal, face-to-face setting,” says John Policicchio, Executive Director. “We look forward to continuing those conversations and being able to effectively respond to their respective, individualized needs.”
Policicchio says that the goal is to walk alongside people so as to empower each person with the knowledge they need for their own individualized circumstances.
“Our practice is to walk with them through the process and actively engage as a service navigator, for them," says Policicchio. Areas of interest, to people attending the session, included service navigation, employment opportunities, Ontario Disability Services Program and the Passport program.
“Whether it is a family member seeking support or a self-advocate who wants to find a job, we want them to feel confident that we can mentor them through the process,” says Policicchio. For those who attended the Engagement Session, that process is already underway.
The next day upwards of 150 members of the Elliot Lake and area community gathered to join in at CLA’s free community BBQ. The crowd represented a cross-section of members of the community - from suits to sneakers and everything in between. Aside from the burgers and hot dogs, all the right ingredients were in place: good weather, a gathering place, food, music, games and, of course, new people to meet or known acquaintances to greet. New relationships were foraged, that day.
“We were hosting the Community BBQ but, really, it was a mutual welcoming because the people of Elliot Lake were welcoming us and ensuring we were also having a good time,” says John.
CLA looks forward to engaging further with our communities and in hearing your stories and experiences and how we can be of service to you.
CLA wishes to thank Elliot Lake Meat & Deli and Elliot Lake Blossoms for your fabulous food fare.
MP Carol Hughes presented a Certificate of Recognition to CLA in honour of our 70th Anniversary milestone. Carol gathered with CLA Management and Board of Directors at the CLA Elliot Lake office: (shown left to right): John Policicchio, Jacques Ribout, MP Carol Hughes, Anke Lansky-Johnson (seated), Marilu Horton, Jennifer Wiwchar, John Prgomet and Lisa Krug. Shown on Zoom are Board members Brad Symboluk, Kris Zanatta, Linda Headrick and Margaret Barbeau
MP Carol Hughes has been serving the people of Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing in the federal government since first being elected in 2008. She currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees of the Whole in the House of Commons. MP Hughes is also a Vice-Chair of the All-Party Health Research Caucus (2011 to present) and Co-Chair of the All-Party Juvenile Diabetes Caucus.
