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Community Livings are a provincial movement that have been advocating for people with intellectual disabilities and their families for decades. These organizations work tirelessly to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities have the same rights, opportunities, and quality of life as everyone else in their communities.

Community Living Month, celebrated every May, is an important time to recognize and honour the achievements of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as the ongoing efforts to build more inclusive communities. It is a chance to shine a light on the barriers that still exist, and to reaffirm our collective commitment to creating a society where everyone belongs, is valued, and can thrive. By coming together to raise awareness and celebrate inclusion, we help build stronger, more compassionate communities for all.

Right here in our own region, Community Living Dufferin (CLD) plays a vital role in this movement. CLD is dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities to live full, meaningful lives as active members of the community. Through advocacy, inclusive programs, and strong partnerships, Community Living Dufferin helps make Dufferin County a place where everyone is welcomed, respected, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Our Mission:
Our mission is to enable people with an intellectual disability to achieve their fullest potential.

Our Vision:
An inclusive community where all people are accepted, appreciated for their uniqueness, and treated equitably.

Our Values:

• Valuing our People - We believe in limitless potential of our staff and choose to invest in them as the key to a brighter future for our community and the people we serve.
• Collaboration - We collaborate and build community through partnerships founded on integrity and trust.
• Community Commitment - We are deeply connected to the people we serve, their families, support circles and our community. We commit to allowing their voices to guide our work, and to doing whatever it takes to help them thrive.
• Equity and Inclusion - We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live their full potential, and that our community is stronger when they are full of opportunities for people with diverse identities, backgrounds and perspectives. We prioritize action over intention and we are working every day to make our community more equitable and inclusive.
• Innovation - We move quickly and continuously to innovate our approach in response to the needs of the people we work with and the community we are part of.

Celebrating National Volunteer Week (April 27 - May 3):
We are also honored to celebrate National Volunteer Week, recognizing the invaluable contributions of our Board Directors and all other team members who generously give their time to help make a lasting difference in our community.

May is Community Living Month!
To kick-off this important month, we invite you to join us for a flag raising ceremony on May 1st at 11:00 am at our office.

Throughout May, we will highlight the voices that shape Community Living Dufferin (CLD)—the individuals we support and the dedicated staff who walk alongside them. Every day, we will share a new testimonial on our social media channels, celebrating stories of impact, connection, and the meaningful difference CLD has made in the lives of those we serve.

Let us come together to celebrate the power of inclusion and the strength of community. Every voice matters, and throughout May, we will lift these voices, one story at a time.

In closing, we wish to raise awareness of the profound and vital work that Community Living Dufferin does throughout the year. Our ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion and providing unwavering support to individuals with intellectual disabilities is foundational to building a stronger, more compassionate community for all.