November
15 & 16, 2007
A.C.E.
is a committee of people with an intellectual disability who have chosen
to advocate for themselves both within Community Living Campbellford/Brighton
and in their communities.
View
the A.C.E. AGM Report 2006
(Adobe PDF - 100kb)
View
the A.C.E. Report 2005
(Adobe PDF - 12.2kb)
Members of A.C.E.
provide valuable input to all committees at Community Living Campbellford
Brighton. Their members sit on the Board of Directors, the Rights Commission,
Quality Enhancement Committee, Health and Safety Committee, and they
have input to the formation of all policies and procedures.
We received
these following Testimonials regarding last years Self Advocate Conference!
“I
really enjoyed the conference & hope to see you all next year”- “I had a
great time, thank you for this event”
- “The conference
was excellent once again! I learned a lot the past two days, it was
nice to meet new friends and old friends”
- “EVERYTHING
that went on was more than I expected
- “Thank you
so much for the great hospitality – A terrific conference &
a great experience”
- “Great time
for Networking & sharing Best Practices”
- “I thought
the speakers did well”
Not
only are Advocates for Community Education making a difference within
our association but they are also involved in various community roles
in the Rotary Club, Business Improvement Association, and the Royal
Canadian Legion
Provincial
Self Advocate Movement
In May of 2006 we hosted a Strategic Plan inviting board members, community
members and self advocates that utilize all services available within
the organization to attend and offer input. As a result of that meeting
and a session with Paul Muldoon, ACE set Strategic Goals for the next
12 – 36 months. These goals include continuing to host an Annual
Conference, Fundraising, Internal / External Communications, Promoting
Rights & continuing to do Public Presentations in the effort to
promote Community Education.
ACE
has played a role in the Self Advocate Movement throughout the province
and has hosted three Provincial Conferences. In November 2006, 80 people
attended a two day conference hosting Maureen MacFayden as the Key Note
speaker. Separate sessions were held for Staff and Self Advocates addressing
topics such as team building, rights, language & stereotypes, best
practices, empowerment and community connections.
Fundraising
Fundraising
was a priority on our Strategic Plan and have had a very successful
year. A Much Music Video Dance for 10 – 14 year old kids was planned
and hosted in the Brighton area. We advertised in five surrounding communities
with posters and flyers and on local radio.
In
September we hosted a BBQ in Brighton Memorial Park and over 100 community
members joined us to show their support for our group. ACE will continue
to host fundraising events that are not only in our communities but
are for our community.
Communications
Strategy
To
improve communication within our organization we will develop strategies
to share information and bring our teams closer together. We are a permanent
fixture on the ‘All Team Meeting’ Agenda’s, this gives
us the opportunity to talk to staff and tell them what we need and want
in our supports. This time also gives us the opportunity to tell them
that they are doing a good job. We are proud to have such a dedicated
staff body in our organization.
History
Members
of ACE provide valuable input to all committees and Community Living
Campbellford / Brighton. Our members are active on the Board of Directors,
the Rights Commission, Quality Enhancement Committee, Health and Safety
Committee and we give input to the formation of all policies and procedures.
Not only are Advocates for Community Education making a difference within
our association but they are also involved in various community roles
in the Rotary Club, Business Improvement Association, the Royal Canadian
Legion and the Accessibility Committee.
The
original ACE Committee formed in February 2000. Since then our committee
has grown and changed members however our primary focus has remained
and that is to educate the community about the benefits of Inclusion.
We do this by presenting at schools, service groups, churches, conferences
and to other self advocate councils and organizations.
As a result of ACE’s
courage and dedication to speak publicly about their personal experiences
and what they believe in, many others with an intellectual disability
have been inspired to be their own best self advocate.
As
a committee we have overcome many barriers and have learned from our
choices. We continue to believe that our main goal is to work towards
building a community that welcomes and accepts all of its members. We
want to build a community that values each person for their own qualities
and treats every member with respect and kindness.
In June 2000, Jason
Rae was elected to the Ontario Association For Community Living Self-Advocate
Council as the Lakeshore Regional Representative. In March 2001, Jason
held a Meet and Greet Conference for Self-Advocates in his region to
learn about rights, personal outcomes, and self-advocacy. Twenty-nine
Self-advocates from throughout the region attended and as a result of
that day several other Self-Advocate committees have since been formed.
In
2001 A.C.E. received funding through Community Living Ontario’s
“It Takes a Village” project to improve their public presentation
skills. Professional facilitators held a two-day workshop in both June
2001 and October 2001. Self-Advocates developed self-confidence, solidified
their mission statement; and set goals for the following year.
The primary goal of A.C.E. is to educate the community about the benefits
of inclusion. They do this by presenting at schools, businesses, community
organizations and churches. As a result of their courage and dedication
to speak publicly about what they believe in, many others with an intellectual
disability have been inspired to be their own best Self- Advocate
In November 2001 A.C.E. in partnership with students from Loyalist College,
produced a video that highlights people in the Campbellford and Brighton
area contributing to their communities in meaningful ways. Partial funding
was again provided through Community Living Ontario’s “It
Takes A Village Project". The reaction of community members has
been overwhelming. People's attitudes are changing as they learn that
everyone has a gift and strengths to share with the community around
them. They just need people to open their doors and give them a chance
to show what they can achieve!
A.C.E.
has achieved much since it's conception in February 2000. They have
held fundraisers, joined the Community groups and committees, contributed
to the Community Living Month Campaign, and most importantly educated
their communities and other Self-Advocates about respect, people’s
rights and inclusion. They have been honoured with awards and commendations
throughout the province.
A.C.E. wants everyone to see people as having possibility instead of
disability.” The driving force behind A.C.E. is to see all citizens
as respected, valued, participating members of their community. They
are taking steps toward a totally inclusive tomorrow.
