GUELPH – Laura Hanley arrived at Community Living Guelph Wellington (CLGW) when the agency was in a state of change, and when she leaves in December, she hopes she’ll have provided the tools for the agency to see through the changes caused by COVID-19.
Hanley is executive director of CLGW, the agency funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that supports adults with developmental disabilities.
It operates 35 residential sites that house 156 clients, and through its independent living programs, supports 125 clients at 40 sites in Guelph and Wellington County.
She signed a five-year contract and joined the agency on Dec. 1, 2015, shortly after the then-named Ministry of Community and Social Services announced it would phase out the sheltered workshop program.
“That was big for us,” Hanley said in an interview Aug. 21.
“We did have sheltered workshops and ARC Industry was part of the agency.”
LAURA HANLEY
Clients in the sheltered workshop program would do simple assembly or packaging work.
Agencies like Torchlight and Arc Industries in Guelph negotiated contracts with industry and clients did the work for a stipend.
Critics of the program felt it was a way for industry to outsource work for minimal cost as clients were not paid minimum wage.
But participants found satisfaction in doing meaningful work.
For better or worse, the ministry mandate forced the agency to alter programs it delivered and find new ways to help clients integrate into the community.
The focus became less on groups and more on individuals, what they are capable of, and what they want out of life.
“We had to build capacity for them,” Hanley said.
“Our job is to advocate for full citizenship for all people.”
It was not an easy change for the agency or for families and clients. Hanley took the challenge head on.
“We had to get into solution-focus mode,”s he said.
“The idea (behind the ministry changes) was to provide a person-centred approach and create supports for each individual. To help provide choice and independence to become full citizens.”
CLGW formed a partnership with Second Chance employment centre and also connected with volunteer opportunities for clients.
“That’s been a positive outcome,” she said.
“The people we support want to work and volunteer and our numbers have strengthened.”
But when COVID hit in March, CLGW immediately cancelled work and volunteer opportunities for its clients who live independently.
Program staff were redeployed to the residential centres, the administrative office was closed, and staff worked from home.
COVID really hit home in April, though, when two staff tested positive.
“It got really restrictive,” Hanley acknowledged – both for staff, who were limited to working at one residential site instead of moving throughout the system, and for clients, who essentially became housebound.
The agency held a fundraiser to buy tablets so clients could visit with family members virtually, but it’s been hard on everyone.
“On one hand we’re encouraging independence and now those opportunities have stopped,” Hanley said.
“Staff have been fantastic; they are resilient, but it’s starting to wear. And our clients have done a tremendous job being patient. Some are okay, some are struggling.
“It’s been a long time for people.”
She laughs when asked about high points and low points in her five years with the organization.
“I thought the sheltered workshops would be the big thing here, but the pandemic has definitely been the low point,” she said.
It’s been hard to do more than respond to the day-to-day problems the pandemic has posed.
Still, under her leadership, there’s a new strategic plan, new partnerships with Second Chance and Habitat for Humanity, a formal training program for the management team, and development opportunities for staff.
“And we’ve moved the dial on choice,” she said. “Now we provide personal-centred support.”
Or they will, when emergency orders are lifted, and society can mix and mingle more freely again.
“There has been a lot of change over the last five years, but when I look back, I can see the building blocks are there and the organization is moving forward,” she said.
“But you are only as strong as your team and I’ve been fortunate to have a strong team, willing to work and learn and make things better for our clients.
“It’s been a difficult, challenging, wonderful ride.”
Hanley retires on Dec. 18. The board of directors is currently seeking a new executive director.
