KACL

For the month of November, Children's Services will be sharing weekly posts with developmental information about the amazing 7-12 year olds in our lives. If you have developmental concerns about children in your care, reach out to our team for guidance (807-467-5204).

As the weather cools and it gets a bit wet outside, you may be looking for different ways to engage your family in community opportunities. Doing art helps children and youth with their fine and gross motor development, concentration, problem-solving, and so much more.

Access The Muse for art classes and open studio times, and to explore our local history. Visit their calendar for upcoming offerings and links to registrations.

Events for November 2024 - The Muse - Lake of the Woods Museum | Douglas Family Art Centre themusekenora.ca

John McKnight spoke in a way that reminded all of us that everyone has a contribution to share in their communities - we all have "gifts of the hands, gifts of the head and gifts of the heart" and we need welcoming spaces and places to share them. Thank you, Mr. McKnight for reminding us all to believe in ourselves, in each other and in community.

We are so deeply saddened to share the news that our co-Founder, John McKnight, has passed away. John's contributions are tremendous within this community and beyond. We extend our condolences to his family and friends across the globe and will post more information as we continue to honor his legacy.

Join our Children’s Services consultants at Baby Beginnings this month!

Daylight savings time is ending on Sunday, November 3rd which can impact children and adults alike. Doing a few things in advance can help to reduce the effects of time changes.

In the upcoming months, Children's Services will be sharing a weekly post about different ages and areas of child and youth development. If you have developmental concerns about children in your care, reach out to our team for guidance (807-467-5204).

Today is the 24th annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day across Ontario. This day is dedicated to recognizing the dedication and hard work of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Child Care Educators (CCEs) who care for our youngest children.

At Kids’ Zone, we deeply value and appreciate our amazing child care workers and early childhood educators. Their role in shaping the lives of our children and supporting our families cannot be overstated. Thanks to their compassion, care and dedication, we can offer high-quality child care that helps our children thrive.

Please take a moment today to express your gratitude to the wonderful child care educators in your child’s life. A simple word of thanks goes a long way in showing how much their work means to your family.

From Ontario’s Early Years Framework:

Educators are competent and capable, curious, and rich in experience. They are knowledgeable, caring, reflective, and resourceful professionals. They bring diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. They collaborate with others to create engaging environments and experiences to foster children’s learning and development.

We’re proud to have such dedicated professionals as part of our Kids' Zone teams!

Join us in showing support for children, youth and families in Ontario. Wear Purple on October 25th!

Every October, Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, children’s aid societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies (child welfare agencies) raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families in Ontario. Child welfare agencies are part of the broader network of community-based organizations and service providers dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of children, youth, and families. They work in partnership with local organizations and service providers to ensure children, youth, and families receive vital early intervention and prevention services so they can thrive and stay together.

For more information:
https://www.oacas.org/publications-and-campaigns/dresspurpleday/https://www.oacas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DPD-Toolkit-2024_EN-final-3.pdf

TOMORROW, join dozens of local businesses in lighting up your storefront in purple & blue for the 5th annual Light It Up! for NDEAM campaign!

Last year we had 53 local participants. Let’s see if we can beat our record!

For more information on the Light It Up! for NDEAM campaign, visit: https://www.odenetwork.com/initiatives/light-it-up-for-ndeam-2024/

Some local events and sensory tips to help get your Halloween celebration started!

As Light It Up! for NDEAM fast approaches, we want to thank all the businesses that have taken time to chat with our Employment Services team and decorated their storefronts in purple & blue.

On October 17th, join over 700 communities from coast-coast-coast in celebrating inclusive employment by decorating and lighting up your business in purple & blue!

For more information on the Light It Up! for NDEAM campaign, visit:

Light It Up! For NDEAM 2024 - Ontario Disability Employment Network In 2024, Light It Up! For NDEAM marks its 5th anniversary. This national disability awareness lighting event happens the third Thursday of every October.

Today is World Mental Health Day.

This World Mental Health Day, WHO is uniting with partners to highlight the vital connection between mental health and work. Safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health. Unhealthy conditions including stigma, discrimination, and exposure to risks like harassment and other poor working conditions, can pose significant risks, affecting mental health, overall quality of life and consequently participation or productivity at work. With 60% of the global population in work, urgent action is needed to ensure work prevents risks to mental health and protects and supports mental health at work.

It is essential for governments, employers, the organizations which represent workers and employers, and other stakeholders responsible for workers’ health and safety to work together to improve mental health at work. Action to address mental health at work should be done with the meaningful involvement of workers and their representatives, and persons with lived experience of mental health conditions. By investing efforts and resources in evidence-based approaches and interventions at work, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work and in life. Let's take action today for a healthier future.

Check out the window display KACL's Community Mental Health Support Services (CHMSS) Team has done for Mental Illness Awareness Week!

Given that it is Mental Illness Awareness Week we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight KACL's Community Mental Health Support Services! KACL has been offering supports and services to people living with mental illness since the 1970s. Not every Association for Community Living a mental health program, and we are proud that we do. It all began with KACL helping people who were living in an institutional setting here in Kenora to move into the community. Today a team of dedicated people work with people living with mental illnesses to live, work, learn and play in community.

From our website -

"
Community Mental Health Support Services (CMHSS) strives to support adults, and their families, who are living with mental illness.

Our mission is to assist people to achieve their goals, to feel as well as possible, and to live in a community setting of their choice. Our dedicated team offers highly individualized support through person-centred planning and through direct assistance.

To receive services and supports from any of the CMHSS programs people can be referred by self, friends and family members, physicians or other agencies and community partners. To access any of these services please call 807-467-5255 for more information about the process, or email [email protected]. "

To learn more about KACL's Community Mental Health Support Services program please visit our website -https://www.kacl.ca/community-mental-health-support-services/

As we turn our attention to Mental Illness Week some stats are is helpful to consider.

- In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness.
- By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have - or have had - a mental illness.

Chances are you, or someone you know, has had experiences , or is currently experiencing mental illness. Let's end the stigma around mental health, this is something so many of us experience.

As you read through the additional stats on the images in this post, you can see why we need more funding for supports and programs in Ontario today.

(all of these statistics come from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/the-crisis-is-real/mental-health-statistics)

Light It Up! for NDEAM is a nationally recognized campaign that shows support for inclusive employment in your community. On October 17th, join over 700 other communities across Canada in lighting up their businesses in purple & blue and be automatically entered to win an awesome prize pack from all of the inclusive employers in our community.

For more information on the Light It Up! for NDEAM campaign, visit: https://www.odenetwork.com/initiatives/light-it-up-for-ndeam-2024/