Self-Advocates


Personal Stories
Jim's Story
Jim

Jim is a man with many talents and interests. Spend time with him and you’ll come to understand this. Jim is an active member of his community. He is involved with the local YMCA, he has been working at a part-time job at the Keg Restaurant for the past two years and is an active participant in the Special Olympics. His friendly, outgoing nature and wonderful sense of humour has made him a respected member within his community. A clown, a puppeteer, or an Elvis impersonator, these roles are not what Jim is best known for, it’s Santa Claus! For years Jim has donned the red suit for children and adults alike. With a jolly HO! HO! HO! - handing out candy canes and wishing everyone Christmas cheer is what makes Jim the happiest.

Jim is a leader in teaching people to go after their dreams. It’s not just about having a role within his community; but also pursuing his dreams—having an idea, planning for it and makin the dream a reality. In 2005, Jim planned a trip to California with one goal in mind—meeting Henry Winkler “The Fonz” from Happy Days. A childhood dream became true; Jim not only met Henry Winkler, but was invited for a private taping of a sitcom he was working at the time. Inspired by his achievement, Jim then went on to meet Bob Barker in his final year as host of the Price is Right. He still proudly wears the t-shirt Bob personally gave him.

Where will Jim go from here? Just ask Jim—as the pilot of his destiny, he continues to reach for the stars.



Mel's Story
Mel

GET INVOLVED! INSPIRING POSSIBILITIES

Important words to Melissa Abrams ~ words that inspire and motivate her.

In the past decade, Melissa Abrams has taken these words to heart and has done just as it suggests – she got involved!

Having once been involved and receiving supports from the agency and then living independently in the community, Melissa saw something missing in the services and supports offered by Community Living St. Catharines (CLSC) and decided that she needed to speak up. Attending a focus group session, she talked about the need for an outreach support system for people who no longer required formalized services, but still needed advice or guidance.

Melissa’s courage to stand up and speak out on behalf of herself and others caught the attention of CLSC and she was asked if she wanted to be more involved. Over the years Melissa has assisted the agency with the development a Self-Advocate Council, is an active board member and participates on a variety of committees representing the needs of people supported by CLSC.

It doesn’t stop there, Melissa’s passion and concern to improve services and supports has been recognized within a larger community. Since 2003, Melissa has been the Regional Representative for West 2 for the Council of Community Living Ontario and she has just been elected as the Chairperson for the Council of Community Living Ontario.

In addition to her civic work, Melissa has recently taken the time to develop and operate her own business ~ Bussing With Mel. – teaching people to independently use the public transportation system in St. Catharines.

GET INVOLVED! INSPIRE POSSIBILITIES!
Yes, these truly are words which Melissa Abrams lives by!