Become involved - help to make a difference in your community.
There are many ways to get involved and help Community Living York South make a difference.
Support people in your community
Provide one-to-one support and friendship or helping with an event or weekly activity. There are volunteer opportunities that can be created within your own school and community. To promote inclusion, start a Youth Involvement Group or become involved with Best Buddies. Partner up in an after school sport or group activity. Find out more.
Join a Committee
In order to create changes within your environment and make a difference in your community, have you ever thought of volunteering on a committee? For further information, contact your Community Support Coordinator. A 16-member Board of Directors governs Community Living York South. Members include parents and interested citizens of southern York Region. Directors are elected at the Annual General Meeting for a three-year term. The regular standing committees, chaired by a Director of the Board are:
- Executive Committee
- Resource Review Committee
- Quality Assurance Committee
- Community Development Committee
- Rights Review Committee
Special Services at Home (SSAH) Advisory Committee
The SSAH Advisory Committee is a forum for families to address topics related to Special Services at Home and respite options. This committee needs you as families to provide your suggestions, concerns, ideas and opinions, regarding Special Services at Home and respite options. This committee can be your opportunity to connect to families in York Region, the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Ministry of Children's Services and community-based social service agencies and other resources. A one-year commitment is required from members.
The committee is currently working on a handbook for families using SSAH as well as developing a Mediator Card for York Region which would identify mediators and enable them to obtain free admission to events and activities while supporting a person who has a disability. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the committee or would like more information, please call Sandra Palmisano at 905-478-4098 or email yrfn@neptune.ca
York Region Family Network
The goals of this network are to share information and work together to improve the lives of people with disabilities. For further information please contact your Coordinator.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
This committee is responsible for examining and reviewing educational policies and making recommendations to the York Region District Board of Education and the York Catholic District School Board. These committees offer advice to the Boards of Education on matters affecting the establishment and development of special education programs, services and facilities for exceptional students. We encourage parents to get involved with the Special Education Advisory Committee, which meets once a month at the Board offices.
SEAC is currently seeking a parent representative from Community Living York South to attend meetings. SEAC members are available as a resource for students with exceptional needs, parents/guardians of such students, schools, educators, trustees and the community. Many members are parents of students with exceptional needs and are aware of the educational needs and abilities such students may experience.
York Catholic District School Board: 416-221-5050
York Region District School Board: 416-969-8131
Region of York Recreation Committee
Municipalities, regional agencies and interested parents work together to improve recreational opportunities in York Region. Their work includes providing better training opportunities for summer staff members who will work with campers and participants. For more information on this committee, please contact your Community Support Coordinator.
Family Alliance Ontario
Family Alliance Ontario is an association of individuals and families who have a family member(s) with a disability. They are dedicated to fostering the strength, stability, competence and knowledge that we can offer one another. Family Alliance Ontario is located at: The Kinsmen Building, York University, 4700 Keele Street, North York, Ontario, M3J 1P3, (416) 66l-9611, and on the web.
Future Abilities and Creative Employment (FACE)
Future Abilities and Creative Employment is a coalition of organizations and individuals in York Region that addresses the barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from accessing employment services. The coalition has several committees with different initiatives. FACE can be contacted by TTY/Voice (905) 830-9299.
Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee (ODAC)
Ontario needs a strong law to tear down barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from participating in community life. A strong "Ontarians with Disabilities Act" would do just that. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee is a non-partisan coalition whose members know how much Ontario will benefit when these barriers are removed. Visit the web site or contact the ODA Committee at (416) 480-7686 or use TTY to contact Susan Main at (416) 964-0023, Ext. 343.
