Executive Director Message by Hope Colbourne

Executive Director Message by Hope Colbourne

Well, here we are again, at the end of another season, and the time has to come to share with you the great work Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador has been up to since we last reported.

Our work on the Right to Decide Initiative continues under the great leadership support of Dr. Michael Bach. We received support from Immigration, Population Growth and Skills to hire a consultant to help us develop a strategic plan. Mr. Pat Curran has been working with us and we are very pleased with the outcomes of the six sessions facilitated by him. We are also working with Michael and Dr. Barbara Barter on an evaluation process that is about to get underway.

It seems as though the dots are connecting on a number of key areas that we have been diligently working on. We are so pleased for the opportunity afforded through our discussions with the Disability Policy Office (DPO) and Minister Abbott and Team. Through our discussions, a Liaison Committee was formed, led by Terri Jean Murray, Director for DPO, where representatives from a number of key Ministries and Departments are meeting with us to engage in discussion on priority areas. We have great expectations for this work.

As Dennis mentioned, the Strategic Planning Process was well executed and we have a plan developed with five priority areas that will guide our work for the next three years. All of our project areas are developing work plans to help us in monitoring and tracking our deliverables. This process will also help us in our reporting to funders.

The In My Home In My Community Phase 3 Project was a huge undertaking, and Covid caused us to have to pivot to a virtual delivery model. The results realized were instrumental in increasing the membership and information sharing opportunities with individuals and community groups and agencies. Thank you to Renee Rau, Community Liaison Coordinator, for keeping her finger on the pulse on this initiative. Special thanks to Fraser Piccott and Dolores Flynn who traveled to Labrador to ensure families in that area of our province had the opportunity to engage on these important matters. We saw a tremendous spike in the provincial incentive program as a result of the In My Home In My Community Project over the three years we have been delivering it.

We are currently exploring opportunities for a Social Enterprise, and we are very fortunate to have Tony Janes working with us, guiding this piece of work. There will be more to share on this as it is developed over the coming months.

Our Building Block project, supported through Inclusion Canada, is seeing an increase in referrals and the Navigator, Shelly England, is quickly becoming known for her professional approach in helping support individuals with employment related concerns. We appreciate what Shelly is bringing to the program and we are very excited to see the project take on a new life.

The SET Mentoring Program, under the expert leadership of Nancy Andrews, is growing exponentially.

Nancy has become a trusted partner within the school community and we are seeing tremendous results in this program.

Taylor Cassell, without question, put the Ready, Willing & Able Program back on the map in Newfoundland and Labrador. We were saddened to see him leave us, but totally respect his career goals. Our new Labour Market Facilitator, Donna Norcott, joined us on February 14th, and we are looking forward to getting to know her.

Our office days are bright and clean days when Bobby comes to work. He continues to provide office support for us two days a week. He is also keen to share the weather forecast with us and he is always right in his predictions. We appreciate and value Bobby’s contribution to the team.

We also have a faithful volunteer and our Association is all the better for her insights and wisdom. Gail St. Croix gives of herself very selflessly, whether it is for a Zoom call, a face-to-face meeting, volunteering to help copy and collate, photography skills, we know we can call on Gail. I feel blessed to have her ground me in my work. Thank you, Gail! You are a true inspiration and a good friend.

This has been a very busy time with planning sessions, rebranding, reworking of all of our documents, onboarding new staff, starting new projects, retiring projects, the list goes on. I could not do any of it, or keep the many balls in the air, if not for the great team around me. So thank you to our Executive Board, Dennis, Lori, Dolores, Una, Marg, Ray and Gene, our staff team, our government partners, my sister Executive Directors from PEI and Nova Scotia, our local association members, Oz Gould, Kem Young, Cristen Tizzard, Betty Fitzgerald, the three sisters in Deer Lake - Louise, Myra and Irene, our Labrador friends - Cindy, Joey, Theresa, Daphne, Sharon, Mrs. Stamp and Joanne to name a few.

We appreciate the expertise of Nigel Cose Accounting, in keeping the financial reporting on point. Likewise, Hancock Financial is a trusted advisor to the Board on financial matters as well. We have a very trustworthy, competent team around us.

It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that I’ve tendered my resignation and will leave my role the end of March. It has been my pleasure working in my home province on such important work. I leave knowing that I’ve given 100% effort to the work of the Association. I extend sincere appreciation for the opportunity.

Our accomplishments and successes are shared because of the faithful dedication and work of the team, so “Thank You”, once again for your support, guidance, and friendship.

Gail St. Croix gives of herself very selflessly. We know we can call on Gail. Thank you, Gail! You are a true inspiration and a good friend. xoxo

Hope Colbourne, M.Ed. CTDP Executive Director Inclusion Canada Newfoundland and Labrador