Welcome to the first edition of the Shared Dreams newsletter!
We are excited to create a space where families can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.
Rooted in our belief in families leading families, each edition will feature helpful resources, practical information, community opportunities, and stories that remind us we are not alone on this journey.
Together, we can build stronger connections, celebrate possibilities, and continue creating meaningful lives for people with developmental disabilities.
Building the Dream Together
Families and community partners working together to create meaningful lives.
At the heart of Shared Dreams is a belief that great things happen when families and community partners work together. Our partnership with Community Living Trent Highlands (CLTH) is a wonderful example of that belief in action.
Shared Dreams brings the vision, knowledge and guidance of families, while CLTH brings its experience in providing quality supports and services. Together, we share one important goal: ensuring the five men of Shared Dreams at the Mount are supported to live full, meaningful lives in their own home.
Like any strong partnership, ours continues to grow and evolve. It is built on communication, mutual respect, problem-solving and, most importantly, keeping the men at the centre of the decisions we make.
We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and team at CLTH and for their willingness to embrace a family-led approach. Together, we are demonstrating what is possible when families and service providers truly work with one another rather than alongside one another.
Shared Dreams was built on partnership and we are proud to continue building the dream together.
Our View From Here
Family stories, everyday moments & dreams in action
Larry & Marg Elliott
Matthew is our third child. A child more unique than our expectations. Even in infancy, his needs challenged our parenting skills. We were fortunate to have the opportunity and resources to broaden our skills and adapt our home. Our commitment was solid but, at times, our capacity was challenged to keep pace. We needed the skills and space to maintain a nonverbal young man requiring assistance with all activities of daily living in a completely accessible, barrier-free living space.
After high school, sustaining personal care at home and seeking meaningful engagement outside the home was a different challenge. After years of hospitals, clinics (diagnostic and therapeutic), special school programs, and changing government services and programs, 20+ years of ageing in place was driving change in Matthew and us. During this post-high-school period, the challenge to sustain the time and work necessary to maintain Matthew’s achievements was the beginning point of our thinking about different approaches.
We could meet the challenge of the day, but Matthew’s world, his home, and his engagement with the broader community were vulnerable, resting solely on our shoulders. These thoughts, shared with friends and refined with service colleagues, became Shared Dreams for Independent Living (SDIL).
SDIL was envisioned as the means to sustain and, in time, enhance the quality of life and family engagement in the years beyond the time that we, as parents and caregivers, could continue to safely deliver ourselves. Five years of development, concluding with SDIL’s incorporation as a charitable not-for-profit organization in 2015. Five more years of building partnerships and building space.
Finally, first occupancy in 2021. Now we are approaching our fifth anniversary of living the dream. Recognizing our need to plan long-term for Matthew, stating the principles and goals, building the partnerships, building the home, each a necessary step. Participating in these achievements has been wonderful. Seeing Matthew happy in his home and engaged in the community is satisfaction beyond words.
The challenge for us, as parents and as members of SDIL, is continuity and sustainability of the dream we have helped to achieve as we, inevitably, inch by inch, year by year, step back. Our attention is committed to ensuring transition within our family, sustaining SDIL’s capacity at The Mount Community Centre, and supporting SDIL to assist other families.
What’s Been Happening
Celebrating Everyday Moments, New Opportunities & Life in the Community
More Than a Job - A Place to Belong
Sean recently celebrated an exciting milestone; his first paid employment opportunity working alongside Pat and his crew at Polish Perfection! This experience gave Sean the opportunity to be a valued member of a team, take on meaningful responsibilities, earn his own wage, and experience the pride and purpose that comes with having a job. Just as importantly, Sean built new connections and a sense of belonging in his workplace. A wonderful example of what can happen when people are given meaningful opportunities to contribute, grow, and be part of their community.
Friendship, Community & New Possibilities
Christopher had a great summer filled with friends, family, and time in his community. He especially enjoyed spending time with his friends from Christopher’s Walking Group and continued volunteering and giving back through Christopher’s Kindness. Christopher also met with an Employment Liaison and his to explore paid employment opportunities and work toward his employment goals. Overall, Christopher had a fun and meaningful summer filled with friendship, community, and new opportunities.
Together, Making Memories
It was a summer filled with meaningful moments, new experiences, and plenty of laughter. The men worked, volunteered, enjoyed day trips and events out of town, spent time in their community, and made some wonderful memories along the way. Most importantly, they spent time together, supporting one another, laughing, trying new things, and strengthening the friendships and bonds they share. It was a summer of connection, belonging, growth, and simply enjoying life together.
Inside Shared Dreams
Sharing the people, stories, and experiences that make Shared Dreams special
A message from the Personal Pathway Facilitator
Being the Personal Pathway Facilitator at Shared Dreams for Independent Living is so much more than a role, it is something very close to my heart. Shared Dreams is a truly special place where the focus is on each man as an individual, his dreams, relationships, strengths, choices, and the life he wants to live. Through building community connections and partnerships, meeting with the city, fundraising, advocacy, family engagement, and supporting the men to achieve their personal goals, we continue to create new opportunities for meaningful and purposeful lives.
I am incredibly proud of what Shared Dreams represents and even more proud of the men. They each hold a very special place in my heart, and it is a privilege to walk alongside them, celebrate their successes, and watch them continue to grow, belong, contribute, and live lives that are truly their own.
Stacey Ridge
Personal Pathway Facilitator
When Challenges Knock,
Families Answer
Steady Through Change: Families at the Heart of Sustainability
The recent labour disruption was an uncertain and challenging time for everyone connected to Shared Dreams at the Mount. Throughout it all, our priority remained clear: protecting the well-being of the five men and ensuring they continued to feel safe, supported and at home.
For the men who wanted to remain in their own home, their families worked closely together to make that possible. Families provided guidance, shared their knowledge and remained actively involved in decisions affecting their loved ones. Working alongside Community Living Trent Highlands and the temporary support team, they helped maintain familiar routines, consistent care and the stability the men needed.
Central to this continuity was Shared Dreams’ Personal Pathway Facilitator, Stacey Ridge. Stacey was the glue that held so many moving pieces together. She provided a consistent and familiar presence for the men, maintained close communication with families and shared essential knowledge with the temporary support team. Her understanding of each man’s personality, routines, needs and preferences helped ensure that support remained personal and that family guidance was reflected in daily life.
We are also deeply grateful to Claudette Springett for her unwavering support throughout the labour disruption. Her steady commitment, reassurance and willingness to work alongside families provided strength during an exceptionally difficult time. Claudette’s support reflected the importance of trusted relationships and genuine partnership when circumstances are uncertain.
Although the people providing day-to-day support changed, the foundation surrounding the men did not. Their home, relationships, family connections and sense of belonging remained constant. Each family made decisions based on the needs and wishes of their loved one while continuing to support the shared goal of maintaining a safe and sustainable home.
This experience reminded us that sustainability is about more than funding or staffing. It is also about strong relationships, shared responsibility, open communication and families having a meaningful voice. The families’ willingness to work together, strengthened by Stacey’s steady presence and coordination and Claudette’s unwavering support, helped ensure that the men who chose to stay could continue living in their own home with dignity, security and as little disruption as possible.
We are grateful that the labour disruption has ended and that familiar Community Living Trent Highlands staff have returned. As routines continue to settle, we carry forward a renewed appreciation for everyone who helped protect the men’s quality of life and for the strength of a model built upon families leading, guiding and working in partnership.
Family Voices
“I am deeply grateful for the families who supported Greg, Christopher, and I throughout this challenging time. I am equally grateful that I was able to stand beside them and offer my support in return.”
Christine Cannon
This Edition’s Tool
Need to Know? Here you Go! - Tools, Tips & Helpful Information
Passport Program
What is it?
Passport is an Ontario program that provides funding to eligible adults with a developmental disability. It can help people participate in their communities, develop greater independence, build skills, access meaningful activities and receive personal supports.
Why is it helpful?
Passport can open doors to experiences that reflect a person’s individual interests, goals and vision for a good life. When used creatively and intentionally, it can help build purpose, belonging, relationships, independence and meaningful community connections.
PASSPORT AT A GLANCE
Passport funding may help support:
✓ Community participation and meaningful activities
✓ Building independence and daily living skills
✓ Personal supports
✓ Recreation and community opportunities
✓ Respite for caregivers
✓ Building relationships and community connections
✓ Other eligible supports and expenses
PASSPORT FUNDING - MORE THAN JUST FUNDING
Good To Know:
A little planning can help Passport funding go further.
Keep track of your funding balance, receipts, invoices and expenses throughout the year rather than waiting until the end of the funding period.
• Scheduling • Approving Expenses • Keeping Receipts • Submitting Invoices • Tracking Funding • Communication
Family Tip:
“Sometimes the most useful information comes from another family who has already been there.”
FROM ONE FAMILY TO ANOTHER...
Think beyond activities. Consider opportunities that help your family member build relationships, learn something new, contribute to their community, develop independence, discover interests and experience a greater sense of purpose and belonging.
REMEMBER: Passport isn't only about what you can spend the funding on. Think about what kind of life the person wants to build and how their funding can help make that possible.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Visit the official Ontario Passport Program page for current information about Passport funding, eligible expenses and program guidelines.
Resource Spotlight
Connecting families with helpful information and opportunities
Free Webinar
Inspiring Families: Imagining What’s Possible
Join DSO Housing Navigators for this free webinar where families will share their personal housing and future planning journeys. Hear how they imagined possibilities, built partnerships, overcame challenges, and found solutions that worked for their loved ones.
Opening remarks from:
Christine Cannon, Shared Dreams for Independent Living
What You'll Hear from Families...
How they got started
Their experiences and housing journeys
Planning tips and helpful resources
Successes, challenges, and lessons learned
The importance of building relationships & partnerships
Practical advice to help your own housing journey
Join Us!
Tuesday, September 29th
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Let’s Stay Connected
Who You Gonna Call?
Executive Director/Co Founder
Christine Cannon
705 927 8623
Board President/Co Founder
Larry Elliott
705 876 9828
General Information
705 927 2957
Personal Pathway Facilitator
Stacey Ridge
705 927 2957
Socials
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharedDreamsForIndependentLiving/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SharedDreams_IndependentLiving/
