In this episode, Sally speaks with Alexandra Hoeck Murray, the new Executive Director of Community Living Oakville (CLO). Alexandra talks about the impact the organization and larger community is making in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
In our conversation, Alexandra talks about when the COVID crisis first started and how CLO addressed the potential isolation and disruption that the shutdown of their day services and central building could have caused, and how their rapid transition to online programming has kept people connected.
CLOs employment team has been hard at work through the pandemic: Alexandra explains how CLO helped people find Pandemic Support Specialist work and other positions at the Oakville Trafalgar Hospital, and how the crisis helped CLO and the hospital forge a new partnership that will continue and be a model for the community of inclusion and the contribution people with developmental disabilities can make.
The COVID crisis has forced some new thinking in inclusion and diversity. A new CLO program, funded by United Way Hamilton Halton Roots initiative, is working on systemic change, making links with business champions and institutions in the community, educating people about inclusion, and building and strengthening networks.
Resources:
Website www.oakcl.org
Community Living Oakville’s Newsletters www.oakcl.org/newsletters
Xplore Employment www.xploreemployment.com
Facebook @OakvilleCL
Instagram @communitylivingoakville
In The Loop Media (Community Living Oakville’s Media Team) Instagram @inthe1loop
Facebook @intheloopmedia
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Thank you for listening to Impact Conversations with Lynn Fergusson & Sally Fazal