Lansdowne one of many exhibitors at Open Doors Day Program’s Resource Fair in Norfolk County

Lansdowne Children’s Centre was one of the exhibitors at Open Doors Day Program’s Resource Fair on June 3.

The event was an opportunity for people with intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities, their friends and family, and those who work in the field – both as volunteers and professionally – to learn more about the organizations and resources available in Norfolk County and the surrounding areas.

Alissa Shuker, Manager of Quality, Continuous Improvement and the SmartStart Hub, was one of the staff who represented Lansdowne at the agency’s table.

“I loved how various businesses and services were brought together to provide resources for families navigating how to support their children and adult children,” she said. “It seemed like a great response to the needs of families in the Simcoe community.”

Shuker noted that not only was the event beneficial for those who might personally seek out the exhibitors as program and/ or service providers, but also for those program and service providers themselves.

“There was great value in connecting with other service providers to understand how they offer services to spark connection, collaboration, and creativity within how we offer services at Lansdowne,” she said.

RESOURCES

Besides Lansdowne Children’s Centre, the exhibitors at the Open Doors Day Program’s Resource Fair included:

Abel Enterprises: This organization is a charity and social enterprise in Norfolk County. While its initial focus was working with people who have mental illness or addiction, it now hosts workshops geared towards adults with developmental disabilities.

Absolute Homecare: This is a Simcoe-based business whose services include personal care, personal hygiene, respite care, and 24/7 care.

Art With Heart Studio: This is a non-profit organization that aims to inspire people to be creative, use their imaginations and to love the arts in various forms: visual, dramatic, mixed media, and musical.

Bethesda: This organization offers a variety of programs and services for children/ youth and adults with intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities throughout Niagara, Hamilton, Grand Erie, Six Nations and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Community Living Access: This non-profit organization provides supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities to enable them to participate in their community in ways that are meaningful and make sense to them, including finding work as an employee or volunteer, having social connections and engaging in recreational activities.

Developmental Services Ontario (DSO): This is the access point for adult developmental services funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) in Ontario.

Generations Marketplace and Learning Centre: This on-farm learning centre in Simcoe focuses on self-sufficiency, sustainability and education through classes, workshops, tours and more.

Haldimand-Norfolk REACH: This multi-service agency offers a range of community information, planning, prevention, early intervention, and treatment services for children, youth, individuals, families, and communities.

Kingfisher Café: This Simcoe based café has a variety of coffee and tea drinks, as well as delicious treats.

Josh Breddy - Primerica / Mackenzie Investments: This company will help parents and guardians of children and youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities financially plan for their future.  

March of Dimes Canada: This non-profit organization is a service provider, resource and advocate for people with disabilities, helping them to live and thrive in their communities.

Norfolk Association for Community Living: This non-profit organization offers residential lifestyle and career support services for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Norfolk County.

Norfolk Boccia – Learn to Play: Everett and his mom, Sarah, are launching a group for people to play boccia together; participants will be able to learn how to play the game without requiring their own equipment. Email for more information on how to get involved as a player or volunteer: NorfolkBoccia@gmail.com

Norfolk County Recreation: Norfolk County has a variety of recreational opportunities for residents. Check out the county’s website or visit a recreation centre for more information on what’s available.

Open Doors Day Program: This non-profit organization offers physical and personal care, social and emotional support, recreational and leisure activities, both at its facility in Simcoe and within the community.

Partners for Planning – Planning Network: This is a national non-profit organization that supports people with a developmental disability and their families to be proactive in planning for the future. 

Passport Program: This is a provincial reimbursement program for adults 18 and older with developmental disabilities, to help them participate in their community and live as independently as possible. The individuals and their families can submit invoices and receipts for admissible expenses up to the amount of their annual funding allocation.  

Project Search: This Grand Erie District School Board program offers total workplace immersion (three work placements, over 700 hours of hands-on experience) for students with intellectual and/ or developmental disabilities.

South Coast Special Needs Kids: This non-profit organization offers recreational adaptive sports for people with physical and/ or intellectual disabilities.

Spectrum Gymnastics: This non-competitive gymnastics studio based in Simcoe is focused on helping participants of all ages and abilities develop a love of the sport, learn new skills and build their self-confidence.

Speech Hens: This private speech and language clinic in Simcoe has a team of Speech-Language Pathologists, Communicative Disorders Assistants, and support staff.

Young Caregivers Association: This non-profit organization offers supports and programming for children and youth who are involved in the caregiving of a loved one.

Youth Unlimited YFC Norfolk: This non-profit, faith-based youth organization is focused on helping youth aged eight to 19 build relationships with their peers and in the community.