Page 15 - CLH DSS 2019 Annual Report

THE GEORGE JACKSON AWARD FOR SELF-ADVOCACY
This award honours a person who has taken a leadership role to successfully advocate
for improved services and supports, increasing the participation and inclusion of people
with developmental support needs in our community. Sharing self-advocacy with others,
their contributions have influenced a positive change in the disability community, such as
inspiring government policy changes or in the creation of greater overall awareness.
This year’s deserving recipient is Jennifer Simms.

“Last spring Jenn initiated conversations about supporting a specific individual to regain access to his
community. This specific individual had not been able to access his community in a few years and Jenn
was willing to step up and assist in supporting this individual. Due to the supports required, Jenn spent
many hours looking at environments and creating foolproof ways to enter and exit buildings in the
community that would best support this individual. After many long months of planning, Jenn was able
to support this individual to successfully access a community pool and enjoy his first swim in more than
2 years. Since then, Jenn has continued to expand the places that this individual can safely access in his
community. This individual’s world has expanded astronomically thanks to the initial hard work that Jenn
put into place.”

Honorable mention goes to Patricia van Wort and Ellen Cockburn who were also
nominated for their continued dedication and commitment to their roles at CLH!

THE JOYCE HAMELIN VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is presented to someone who goes above and beyond, always
reaching to do more than what is expected. Who consistently uses their
imagination to meet an individual’s needs and demonstrates sensitivity to
individual differences while encouraging feedback and participation. This
person is an inspiration to others, trustworthy, dependable and reliable. As
well as facilitating greater understanding of people with developmental
support needs throughout the community, they help CLH Developmental
Support Services fulfill goals, ensuring that people with developmental
support needs can live in a state of dignity, with opportunities to participate
as effectively as possible in all community activities.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Sarah Kitchen for
dedicating herself time and time again to CLH!
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