Emory (third from the Left) with the group he sponsored to attend Spring Fling 2017

By: Emory Gilbert

I was introduced to Community Living Toronto in 2016 when I was approached by a Council member and friend, Dawn Lunan, about joining Central Regional Council. I felt privileged to be asked and readily accepted. I hoped that my professional background, over 40 years involvement with public safety, risk management (public and private sector) and attention to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized communities, would be of value to the work of the Council. My experiences had taught me a great deal and reminded me that life is a constant learning process.

My reasons for volunteering as a Council member were primarily twofold: One was my own desire to be engaged in something challenging and hopefully meaningful. I didn’t want to simply flip through agendas or merely attend meetings. Second, I have always enjoyed working with others to solve problems and assist those in need. Like so many in our community, I have a compelling interest in advocating for and contributing towards an improved future for people with intellectual disabilities.

My motivation for being a Council member at Community Living Toronto is our daughter Claire who is 20 years old, diagnosed with global development delay, autism and ADHD. Beyond her challenges she loves music, dance, art and socializing with friends and family. Like all parents, we want to provide continuous support for our kids so they develop their potential and achieve their life goals. With Claire, my wife and I have an exceptional focus on ensuring that she will always have a safe, caring and meaningful life.

As parents of an intellectually disabled young adult we realize that we cannot expect to meet this goal on our own. We require the collective support of our  community and we must be meaningfully involved in that collaborative effort. This is our commitment to her. Our daughter will not be the only beneficiary; she will share in the collective achievements of the Community Living Toronto family.

Since 2016, I have quickly learned about the incredible experience and insights of other Council members. I can readily rely on their friendly guidance in helping me make a contribution and I benefit from their collective wisdom. I am also learning about our community’s   extensive network of caring people. As a result, I have a growing understanding of people’s resiliency in  confronting life’s challenges.

At this point in time, my experiences have allowed me to reflect on how fortunate I am to have this opportunity to work with superb individuals from all walks of life on matters that have value and impact on many.

If you are interested in joining regional Council please contact:

For Central Region:  Michelle Grimley at 647-729-1210 or michelle.grimley@cltoronto.ca

For North York Region:  Wendy Dyke at 647-729-3627 or wdyke@cltoronto.ca

For Scarborough Region:

Felicita Zanatta at

647-729-1635

or fzanatta@cltoronto.ca

For Etobicoke/York Region:

Georgina Stergiotis at   647-729-0445

or georgina.stergiotis@cltoronto.ca

Download the full newsletter: Connections March 2018