THE GATEWAY WINTER 2022
President’s Message Mr. Dennis Gill Well! We are closing in on the last portion of “Official Winter”, the hours of daylight are increasing and Spring 2022 is just around the corner. Thank the Lord. Since last Fall, a lot has been happening at Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador. Yes, we changed our name from the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living! The motion was made by Mrs. Joan Stamp, age 96, of Labrador City, who was with Mrs.Vera Perlin way back in 1956 when the “Association for the Mentally Retarded” was formed. Wow! Cristen Tizzard, age 23, of Springdale, seconded the motion, and it was unanimously carried by those present at a Board Meeting in St. John’s on 18 September 2021. What a wonderful way to begin the next 65 years assisting, and advocating for, persons with intellectual disabilities, and their families, in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Two days prior, at the Capital Hotel on Kenmount Road, Strategic Plan 2022-2025 was developed, and what a spectacular plan it is. Kudos to Facilitator Eleanor Dawson, Executive Director Hope Colbourne, and all who participated from across our province; execution of the Plan will begin on April 01. On September 17 at 8:00 am, the Board attended a breakfast, sponsored by Ready Willing & Able [a national initiative committed to helping Canadian employers find ideal candidates who are readily equipped to enter the workplace] at the Bally Haly Country Club. There were Remarks by Hon. John Abbott [Minister of Children, Seniors, and Social Development], FrankFagan [National Program Manager, Operations], Taylor Cassell [Labour Market Facilitator], ED Hope, and Yours Truly. The Minister and I appeared on NTV Evening News that day! Next, at 11:00 am, we met with Her Honour The Honourable Judy M. Foote, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, Patron of Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador, and had a guided tour of Government House. During the afternoon, we reviewed the progress and development of our new Social Enterprise with Project Coordinator Tony Janes. October 06 was “World Cerebral Palsy Day”, and in Pilley’s Island, Roxann, Danny, and I donned our green T-shirts, had a sing-along, and lunch, and posted the attached photo on Facebook to help publicize the international event.
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