Kirkland Lake Golden Bears take the court…

The Kirkland Golden Bears are pleased to announce their official roster for the 2014/2015 season:

John Sutherland
Johnaten Fluet
Shelbie Fox
Adam Laffrenier
Bobby Drury
Lawrence Jeffries
Julie Rodgers
Jeffrey Lapointe
Jacob Prince
Taylor Cottrill

The Kirkland Lake Golden Bears basketball program continues to grow and we are excited that we have three new players for this season.  While the team is built to play basketball, the players themselves continue to show what true teamwork, respect, compassion and sportsmanship is all about.  After competing in their first tournament last year in Sudbury, the Golden Bears are excited to play more games in the upcoming year and return to the Sudbury Tournament where they won the bronze last year. In addition to the tournament, the Golden Bears are looking at games against the KL Swampdonkeys, the KL OPP and other Special Olympics basketball teams in the area.  Please come out and cheer on your Kirkland Lake Golden Bears.

We would like to thank St. Jerome School for opening up their gym to us for practices last year. Due to the size of the team, we have moved our practices to Sacred Heart school this year. We appreciate all our community partners and the support we have received and continue to receive from everyone in Kirkland Lake.

Picture taken at Goldland Billiards during the team Christmas Party.

For information on up- coming games and other information on the team please follow us on the Community Living Kirkland Lake Facebook page.

Christmas Lunch and Decorating Contest 2014

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, we hosted our Annual Christmas Luncheon for all the people we support.  The afternoon included a wide variety of food, music, a slide show, laughs and a visit from Santa Claus and his Elf.

Also, the judges announced the awards for the CLKL Decorating Contest.  All the homes did an exceptional job.  The people we support and staff displayed an abundance of creativity and went over and beyond with their decorations and even baking for the judges.  The participation award went to Furlong and Third.  Furlong had a “Duck Dynasty” theme.  Areas that stood out at Furlong included costumes and games for the judges to participate in.

Third Street was extremely creative with the decorations and the people we support at Third were heavily involved in the decorating process.  They made reindeer from their feet and hands, knitted sweaters with their initials on the tree, and a wide variety of other decorations.  As well, they had a table full of baked goods for the judges to eat.

Coming in second place was Wilson.  Wilson made several different wreaths that were later sold with the money going towards our Van Fundraiser.

In first place was Station with a “Winter Wonderland” theme.  Similar to the rest of the homes, the people they support and staff were extremely creative and involved in all the decorating.  Several hand-made decorations on the tree and a bulletin board with star postings explaining “what Christmas means to them”.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

ALS ICE Challenge.

Community living was nominated for the ALS ice CHALLENGE. We have nominated CLS staff, Dalas from Medi Chair, and Sandro and the Kirkland lake police department. You have 48 hours to complete your challenge or you must donate to the cause.

To watch the video, please click on the link below titled ALS.

ALS

Country Classic at Venture Night

The group at Venture night had a blast with the music from Country Classic. The band came all the way from Timmins to play for them.

ASIST Training

Staff attended a two day ASIST training.  Thank you to CMHA for delivering an excellent training.  All participants enjoyed the two days and learned a lot.

COMMUNITY LIVING MONTH

The Month of May is Community Living Month, please join us in the following events.

May 1 Community Living flag was raised.
May 15 Book Donation at the Library.
May 23 Volunteer BBQ at Rotary centennial park from 11:30am to 1:30pm
May 24 Sports Day at KLDCS from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

KL Golden Bears Win Bronze at Basketball Tournament

On March 1, 2014, the KL Golden Bears played in a basket tournament in Sudbury and won the bronze medal.  Congratulations.

Group Volunteer Training Session

Tuesday, November 5th a Group Volunteer Training Session will be held at 4 Tweedmuir Avenue from 6-8 pm.  For more information call Melina at 705-567-9331 ext.234

Volunteer Services Program Information Night

Join us on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 from 6:30-7:30 pm to learn more about our Volunteer Services Program!

Executive Director’s Address

The following address was made to the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and media at Community Living Kirkland Lake’s Annual General Meeting in June:

Here’s to the Board volunteers, those dedicated people who believe in all work and no pay … although they have asked several times for a raise!

Throughout my 25 years as an Executive Director, I have never had such a dedicated and truly committed group of individuals who form the Board of Directors.

Due to the vast knowledge, expertise and commitment that our Board has, we have surpassed many of our goals that was set over the past year.

The Strategic Planning Committee has met all of the strategic direction and is looking forward to continuing with the Quality Improvement Plan through Accreditation.

The Health and Wellness Committee established a hospital protocol and reviewed the requirements for the Quality Assurance Measures.

Technology has become an essential part of any organization and through the Technology Committee we have installed computers in all programs, all staff have Email, CIMS, has become an everyday routine and we are hooked into social media through our website and Facebook.

The policy and Membership Committee will be busy next year revising our By-Laws in order to be compliant with the new Not-For-Profit Corporations Act.

One of our most successful committees that was formed a short time ago, and has already met their first goal, is the Transportation Committee.  They managed to work through all the logistics from start to finish on the most suitable mode of transportation for the individuals we support.  We are proud to say that due to hard work of this committee and to the many donors that gave generously, we now have a 12 passenger van.

Last but certainly not least is the Finance Committee.  This committee works tirelessly ensuring that we are in a good financial position and as you have heard from our auditors, they met their goal.    The Finance Committee is responsible for approval of purchases; which trust me, is not just a rubber stamp.  They take their job very seriously and truly keep us on our toes.

As you can see, each and every Board Member contributes a great deal to our agency and I am truly grateful for their compassion to the individuals we support and their true dedication to our agency.

They are a progressive group who just want us to continue the great work that we do and to always follow our Mission Statement.

I am so pleased and honoured that all Board Members will be returning for another year.

Thank you to all!