We’re proud to share that one of our volunteers, Robert Shaddock, has been recognized, posthumously, as a nominee for the 2021 Volunteer Toronto Legacy Awards. Robert was a registered volunteer for almost 20 years! Robert was a self-advocate member who walked the talk.  He applied his own life experiences, overcame barriers, and successes achieved, from his work on the Council. He believed in the vision of CLTO – a society where everyone belongs. A life lost too soon at just 65 years of age, but one that will be long remembered by his many friends and associates at Community Living Toronto.

See Roberts name on the Digital Wall of Fame here: info.volunteertoronto.ca/LegacyAwards2021

Read Roberts full story here:

Robert was a registered volunteer with CLTO since at least 1992. Robert as a self-advocate member walked the talk.  He applied his own life experiences, barriers overcome and successes achieved, to his work on Council. He believed in the vision of CLTO – a society where everyone belongs. A life lost too soon at just 65 years of age, but one that will be long remembered by his many friends and associates at Community Living Toronto.

Robert was a registered volunteer with CLTO since at least 1992, which seems to be as far back as we can find in our records. He was honoured with the Sam Samler Self Advocates Award in 2005 for his great work and commitment to voluntarism, within and beyond the Scarborough region. The pride with which he undertook his volunteer role on Scarborough Council and on the Self Advocates’ Council, was evident in everything he contributed – his point of view in discussions, his help and participation at the many social-recreational events that Scarborough Council is so well known for; the pictures that he took and shared from the bowling fundraisers, a particularly favourite event for Robert and the annual picnic.  For the more formal occasions such as the volunteer recognition event, Annual General meeting of CLTO or the wine and cheese events at Christmas and in June, hosted by Council, he would dress to the nine’s and mix and mingle as a representative of Scarborough Council.  Robert always seemed to truly enjoy these events.

Robert as a self-advocate member walked the talk.  He applied his own life experiences, barriers overcome and successes achieved, to his work on Council. He believed in the vision of CLTO – a society where everyone belongs.  The way in which he lived his own life was evidence of this – in his own condo, making his own lifestyle choices (including being a diehard Leafs’ fan), and advocating for rights, choices and inclusion of people with an intellectual disability through his contributions on Council.  His sincerity and integrity was so evident in the interactions he had with his many friends and associates.  I believe the importance he felt toward his role on Council was because of the alignment of his personal beliefs to their work.

Robert was a dedicated volunteer and was there for people and willing to help in any way that he could.  A life lost too soon at just 65 years of age, but one that will be long remembered by his many friends and associates at Community Living Toronto.