Following the 50^th Anniversary, the agency has continued to expand and evolve in a productive manner.  Much effort has been placed on community development and enhancement of the lives of people that the agency supports.

~Organization, Innovation and Implementation:~

1997

• The Library Book Promotion began with Teck Centennial Public Library and the agency
• The first meeting was held to begin the Community Transportation in Partnership (C-TRIP)
• The Parent Support Group began – “The Road Less Travelled”
• A group of self-advocates initiated a “People’s First” Group

1998

• Transitional Age Youth Program began with the Kirkland Lake Collegiate and Vocational Institute
• A joint Volunteer Program with the Timiskaming Child & Family Services (formerly Children’s Aid Society) and the agency began
• Essential Lifestyle Plans for all people supported
• Policy developed– staff expectations and limitations
• Successful anniversary year
• Partnerships – Human Resource Development Canada, Timiskaming Child & Family Services (formerly Children’s Aid Society)
• Community Involvement Committee
• Carnival float
• Home and Trade Show
• Restructuring of management responsibilities and job descriptions
• Repatriation of Children’s Residence clients to home communities
• C-TRIP Committee developed
• Incorporation of client business (Co-op) “KL 4 Seasons Yard Care”
• STEP – Students in Transition to Employment Program

1999

• “Timiskaming Kids on the Block” program was established
• “Out and About Curbside” Service was developed
• First presentation of the Community Partner of the Year – Teck Centennial Public Library
• Pauline and Victor were married June 19, 1999
• People First” hosted a Regional Meeting
• Hosted “Disability Awareness Fair”
• Started bursaries for E.S.J.V. and K.L.C.V.I. graduating students

2000

• “Timiskaming Kids on the Block” Puppet Program expanded to include more community partners
• “Resources for Today … Opportunities for Tomorrow” workshop was held
• “KL 4 Seasons Yard Care” Co-op became incorporated
• The “Road Less Travelled” parent support group hosted a District Wide Parent Retreat
• Agency name change to Kirkland Lake Association for Community Living
• Library promotion to three other communities
• C-TRIP – purchased their first new van
• Van Fundraising Committee very active
• Success in acquiring extra funding from many different sources through proposals
• Award winning newsletter
• Production of Regional Newsletter Region North 3
• Collaboration with Tri-Towns regarding “Making Services Work for People” – development of community intake package and referral system
• Annual Access Awareness Week
• Increase capacity to assist family in community with a variety of needs i.e.:  respite, intake forms, referral, legal counselling
• Leisure Ventures week at Museum of Northern History – display of local artists work
• “Keeping Your Dreams Alive”. Training for staff to bring the session to the area.
• Establish Self-Advocacy Committee of Board
• One of two agencies in the North Region to receive additional base-funding
• Increase networking capacity via internet, e-mail – increased contacts
• Became an OACL Communication Strategy Committee member
• G.I.F.T.S.” program. – 40 hour mandatory volunteering for secondary school students
• Trained staff on Bereavement process
• Responding more effectively to people’s needs through Essential Lifestyle Plan process
• Leadership development training youth volunteerism Community Action Forum
• Highlighting our volunteers at the Provincial Community Volunteer Awards
• Expanding on community awareness through Media exposure/coverage
• Secured donation cards for the Funeral Home for Bequests and In Memorium donations
• Violence Against Women with a Disability” workshop and booklet
• Addition of new “agency pets” – “Benny” – dog and “Tommy” – cat
• “Survived Y2K”
• Orientation tour for new Board Members to program

2001

• Organized a District Media Training Workshop
• North 3 Regional Newsletter was presented at the Regional Council Meeting in Timmins
• Held an Open House to celebrate the name change
• Celebrated the first annual Community Living Month
• Began investigating options for the Administration Office
• The Making Services Work for People Single Point of access was developed
• International Year of the Volunteer Summit was held at Northwood Camp
• Youth Leadership Summit was held at Northern College.
• September 6 – November 13, 2001 – Labour Dispute

2002

• Held an Open House for the Vocational Alternatives Program at the Encore Club office
• Held a Conflict Resolution Workshop for all employees
• Officially became the sponsor of the Community Living Skills program
• Third Street Residence Home participated in the World Youth Day walking tour
• Participated in the Northern Auto Dealers Association Ontario Special Olympics golf tournament
• Submitted proposal for the Anti-Bullying Campaign to National Crime Prevention
• TD/Canada Trust donated the building on 51 Government Road to the agency
• Reinstated the program decorating contest – Wilson Avenue Residence came in first, Apartment Complex came in second
• The Board and Managers prepared the first Annual Christmas lunch for staff, clients and their families
• Two Managers were formally trained to teach the Crisis Prevention Intervention course

2003

• Held 1st Annual Curling Bonspiel Fundraiser – raised $1,300 and purchased a new lift
• Held a Conflict Resolution Workshop for all employees
• Moved into our new office at 51 Government Road West
• Ordered a new wheelchair van
• Held an Open House in our new office building in conjunction with the Santa Claus Parade
• Ministry of Community and Social Services conducted our first annual Compliance Review.  All programs received pizza as an appreciation for a job well done
• Held the second annual Board Training session

2004

• Held 2nd Annual Curling Bonspiel Fundraiser – raised $1,867
• Held a three-day Strategic Planning Session, which included Staff, Community Partners, Board Member, families and Self-Advocates
• Joe Dale from Community Living Ontario conducted a Supported Employment Review for our agency which resulted in future changes to the program
• Held an Open House at the Administration Office during the Santa Parade
• Decorating contest was held and the judges were Barry Ferguson, Susan Enouy and Bill Enouy

2005

• Began partnership with Job Connect for the Supported Employment Program
• Held a Volunteer Appreciation barbecue
• Began negotiations for the lease of 11 Station Road
• Held a general staff meeting to inform all staff of the proposal for Station Road
• Held the 2nd Annual Appreciation lunch for the employers of the Supported Employment Program
• Hosted a workshop called “Too Close for Comfort” which dealt with boundaries in a client/staff relationship
• Began investigation for a website
• Ordered the new van from Pinewood Park
• The move to Station Road finally occurred

2006

• Plans began for admission for 2 people from institutions for the Ministry of Communiyt and Social Services institution closure across Ontario. Tenders went out for bathroom renovations at Wilson Avenue Residence in November.
• Held grief session for all employees to assist with deaths of client
• Community Living Kirkland Lake curling bonspiel fundraiser – raised $2,074
• Open House at Station Road
• Garage sale at 79 First Street to prepare for sale of this home to be put on the real estate market in July. Home was sold in August.
• Workwell Audit
• First Community Pandemic Planning Session
• Community Living Staff and Managers volunteered for Frog’s Breath
• Note:  2006 was a very sad year as we lost six individuals during the year

2007

• Construction began on bathroom at 90 Wilson Avenue Residence to prepare for new residents in March. Land was purchased to accommodate the addition of hot tub room.
• Staff bowling party held
• Special Olympics held first annual basketball challenge with community partners
• Two-day Person-Centred Thinking Workshop
• Annual Meeting – Roast for Mary Ann on her retirement

2008

• Katimavik volunteers join the agency for a three year venture
• Construction on addition at Wilson Avenue Residence finally completed
• Suzanne Perreault, Nurse Practitioner, joined the agency on a purchase of service basis.
• Purchased 54 Tower Street for Enhanced Supported Independent Living.
• Held focus groups in preparation for Board Strategic Planning to be held in October

2009

• January – formed an internal client/home audit committee
• Held a fundraiser spaghetti dinner during the Snowcross Races
• Held our third staff and friends bowling tournament
• Held a Community Awareness Barbecue at 51 Government Road West
• Had a guest speaker come and present “Focus Accreditation” to all staff
• Began the gap analysis to prepare for Accreditation
• Began implementing the pandemic plan by fitting all staff with the N95 masks
• Annual decorating contest and Board/Management hosted 8th Annual Christmas lunch at Hockey Heritage North

2010

• Focus Orientation for Managers, Board Members and Staff
• Ron Lalonde received the Festivals Committee Volunteer of the Year award and Brian Culhane received Lifetime Achievement award during the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet
• Held volunteer appreciation nutrition breakfast
• Held our fourth staff and friends bowling tournament.
• Special Olympics and friends invited the Ontario Provincial Police for a basketball challenge
• Began preparations for the Day Program Review
• Ministry of Community and Social Services completed a very successful compliance review for all group homes
• Conducted Day Program Review
• Our long-time Advisory Physician Dr. Denton, officially retired
• Ministry of Community and Social Services announced the new Quality Assurance Measures and mandatory training was done with all staff

2011

• April – held Volunteer Appreciation nutrition break
• May – hosted the 1st Mayor and Council breakfast
• July – Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) became reality
• July –     Don Frisby is inducted into the Kirkland Lake Hall of Fame
• August – participated in the Grand Opening of the Splash Park
• September – James P. from Wilson Avenue Residence passed away
• October – the Managers participated in a facilitated one-year operational planning session at Cedar Meadows in Timmins
• October – two-days were booked for Union negotiations, however only one day was needed
• November – the Board and Managers participated in an evening joint planning session facilitated by Ron Leduc
• November – won 1st place in the Kirkland Lake Annual Christmas Parade
• December – Board/Management hosted the 10th Annual Christmas lunch at Hockey Heritage North
• *Much of 2011 was dedicated to preparing for accreditation

2012

• April – received four year accreditation with Focus
• Celebrated Community Living Kirkland Lake’s 65th anniversary