Media Release – Community Living Huntsville celebrates 60 years of Inspiring Possibilities for inclusion in May

Suzanne Willett smiling in Huntsville Civic Square beside a local landmark statue of Tom Thomson.

Suzanne Willett, Executive Director, Community Living Huntsville, invites everyone to celebrate 60 years of inspiring possibilities for inclusion in North Muskoka, during Community Living Month in May. Community Living Huntsville photo.

NORTH MUSKOKA – Community Living Huntsville has more than one reason to celebrate in May – and everyone is invited!

Community Living Month, an annual provincewide campaign to recognize the accomplishments of the Community Living Movement, kicks off in May. The 2022 theme is Inspiring Possibilities. Community Living Huntsville and partners invite everyone to join in a series of virtual activities throughout the month, plus a flag raising at Huntsville Town Hall on May 9 at 11:30 AM, to celebrate inspiring possibilities for inclusion of children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

And there is added reason to celebrate, as Community Living Huntsville will mark its 60th anniversary in 2022.

The Community Living Movement in North Muskoka was founded in 1962 by families who knew their loved ones needed and deserved to be authentically included as respected, valued, and active members of their community. While a lot has changed over six decades, Community Living Huntsville remains dedicated to opening doors in an inclusive community by supporting and advocating alongside people and families toward a more equitable future where everyone can live, work, and play in meaningful ways in North Muskoka.

“This is an incredible milestone for our community and we want everyone to celebrate with us,” says Suzanne Willett, Executive Director, Community Living Huntsville. “Let’s shake off a bit of the isolation everyone has felt over the past two years – and people we support have felt for much longer – and embrace community to whatever level we are comfortable for Community Living Month.”

She urged everyone to consider what action they could take, whether through their personal lives, businesses, or organizations, to inspire possibilities for inclusion.

“The Community Living Movement has always been about inspiring possibilities for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the broader community, rather than limiting them,” says Willett. “It is about embracing authentic community, recognizing the value and self-determination of each unique person in our community, and exploring new possibilities every day for inclusion toward a more dignified and considerate future for everyone.”

Everyone is invited to join in the following activities and events:

May 6 – Community Living Blue and Green Day: a virtual activity to show your support for community inclusion by snapping a selfie while wearing Community Living’s signature blue and green colours and either tagging @clhuntsville on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and using the hashtags #CLHuntsville #CLInspiringPossibilities, or emailing your photo to socialmedia@clhuntsville.ca
May 6 – Shine a Light on Community Living: take a self-guided tour of outdoor blue and green light installations at Huntsville Civic Square, 37 Main Street East, and Community Living Huntsville’s offices, 99 West Road, starting at dusk
May 6 to 31 – Community Living Month Best Decorated Window Contest: take a stroll along Downtown Huntsville’s Main Street to view blue and green window displays by participating Downtown Huntsville BIA members
May 9 at 11:30 AM – Community Living Flag Raising at Huntsville Town Hall: a community celebration as the Town of Huntsville raises the Community Living flag outside Town Hall, 37 Main Street East, in honour of Community Living Month and Community Living Huntsville’s 60th Anniversary. Everyone welcome! Festivities include speakers, refreshments, photo opportunities, and more.

But wait, there’s more! To find more events, including webinars and virtual celebrations by Community Living Ontario, and learn how you can join the Community Living Movement in North Muskoka, visit clhuntsville.ca, and follow Community Living Huntsville on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside people with developmental disabilities to live, work, and play in unique and purposeful ways in North Muskoka. The organization celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2022. Find more at clhuntsville.ca or follow @clhuntsville on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.