Special to the Sydenham Current
Community Living Wallaceburg hosted their 62nd Annual General Meeting and Appreciation Awards evening on October 16th, where staff and volunteers were honoured for their contribution to building inclusive communities.
David Katzman, former Executive Director of Community Living Wallaceburg, was the 2018 recipient of the Emer & Dale Dudley Distinguished Service in Support of Inclusive Communities Award.
The award, named after Emer & Dale Dudley, who have dedicated a substantial amount of time and effort in promoting the goals of the Agency, was established in 2017 to recognize those people who make important contributions to an inclusive community.
As Executive Director of Community Living Wallaceburg for over 25 years, David was instrumental in leading the charge to close down institutional living, offer those with developmental disabilities a home in Wallaceburg and in turn grow the agency to what it is today.
Aaron VanDorsselaer received the Inspiring Possibilities Award for his long-time commitment as coach to the Wallaceburg Wolves baseball team, showing exceptional care and support to every player and promoting full inclusion for anyone who wishes to experience the joy of baseball.
Collen Barnier received the Core Competency Award for demonstrating our key core competencies on a regular basis, including Collaboration, Creative problem-solving and decision making, Interpersonal relations and Respect, and for striving to deliver a high standard of service and support to individuals who are involved with Community Living Wallaceburg.
Steven Marchand received the Outstanding Achievement Award for setting and achieving the targets for his own business, Marchand Recycling and for generating a small additional monthly income. This award is presented to individuals supported by Community Living Wallaceburg to recognize their outstanding achievement of personal goals over the past year.
There was also an opportunity to recognize and congratulate 39 staff members who achieved significant milestones working for the Agency. These ranged from 5 year to 25 year service awards.
During the AGM portion of the evening, the Members elected two new board directors for 2018/19.
Catherine Day, who is the Manager, Financial & Information Services at St. Clair Catholic District School Board in Wallaceburg and Marcia Peters, who works at Bkejwanong Biiweziimag Kinomaagziwaad, Ojibway for ‘Family Place of Learning’.
The Agency is thrilled to welcome both Catherine and Marcia to the Board of Directors and look forward to their contribution to the Agency’s vision over the next year.
Deborah Hook, Executive Director of Community Living Wallaceburg captured the significance of the evening well, “our AGM is an opportunity to celebrate our employees and volunteers for the excellence and commitment in the work they do, not only at Community Living Wallaceburg, but also in our community; the contributions they make are invaluable.”
Community Living Wallaceburg was established in 1956 and has a rich history of community building activities. The agency provides a full range of accommodation, community and employment supports to more than 400 individuals and their families throughout Chatham-Kent.
