Are you a family member, friend, neighbour, or unpaid caregiver supporting an adult with a developmental disability in the Wallaceburg or Bkejwanong (Walpole Island) area?
If so, we want to hear from you.
The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) provides funding through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) to strengthen and expand peer networks that support families and unpaid caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities across Ontario.
With support from OCO, the former family-based, peer-led Care & Share Family Network, in partnership with Community Living Wallaceburg (CLW), is inviting local caregivers to complete a Family Caregiver Survey.
The survey will gather valuable feedback to help re-establish the Care & Share Family Network and ensure it reflects the needs and experiences of local families.
In a recent conversation, long-time members Sandra Thorne, Gary Darte, and Sean Darte shared how meaningful the Care & Share Family Network had been for their family.
They described it as a supportive space where families could gather, connect, and learn from one another while navigating the realities of caregiving for children or adult children with disabilities.
When the pandemic made in-person meetings impossible, the network’s momentum faded – but the need for connection never did.
Sandra, Gary, and Sean expressed their hope that the network can be revived and emphasized that caregiver feedback through this survey is essential to shaping its future.
Roger Romses, Executive Director of Community Living Wallaceburg, emphasized the importance of hearing directly from families.
“Improving family support in our region will strengthen our understanding of lived experience, bring forward the real-world expertise of caregivers, and broaden the diversity of perspectives that inform our work. The information gathered through this survey will help ensure Community Living Wallaceburg’s programs and strategic direction remain grounded in the needs of families.”
The survey is now open and will remain available until September 15, here.
Feedback will help identify the needs, challenges, and priorities of caregivers in the Wallaceburg and Bkejwanong communities while helping shape future supports, services, and opportunities for families and unpaid caregivers.
To complete the Family Caregiver Survey, visit getintocommunityliving.com and click the purple “Ontario Caregivers Survey” button.
Every voice matters.
Your experience can help build stronger supports for caregivers and families throughout our community.
Community Living Wallaceburg co-creates, designs and delivers supports that empower people to overcome barriers and live the life they choose.
With the support of those around them, people can dream, believe, overcome and achieve.
– This story is sponsored content.
