OASIS recognizes Community Living Huntsville with 2023 Annual Member Leadership Award

A provincial association has recognized Community Living Huntsville for our dedication to innovative and collaborative action on community-based housing for people and families who access our services.

OASIS presented Community Living Huntsville with its Annual Member Leadership Award during its annual conference, held in Niagara Falls from April 26 to 28, 2023. It was one of four awards presented to individuals and organizations across Ontario.

“Congratulations to all of tonight’s 2023 conference award winners,” the association tweeted after the awards were presented.

Suzanne Willett, executive director for Community Living Huntsville, was on hand to receive the award on behalf of our not-for-profit organization. Our award recognizes and honours an OASIS member agency that demonstrates excellence, innovation, and leadership in the developmental services sector and exemplifies the interests and mission of the association.

Specifically, OASIS recognized our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North (OGN) to empower people and families through dignified, accessible, and sustainable community-based housing. Habitat for Humanity OGN and Community Living Huntsville officially signed a five-year lease agreement for Habitat for Humanity OGN’s four Generation Homes Huntsville rental apartments in October 2022. The agreement came after several years of discussion and deliberation. The partnership has since supported deserving community members with access to affordable, energy-efficient, and accessible homes as well as supports and services to ensure stable tenancies.

Jo-Anne Demick, a representative for Community Living Ontario, later noted during a Community Living Month flag raising event in Huntsville on May 1, 2023, that access to housing remains the most pressing issue for people, organizations, and communities across Ontario.

“Community Living Huntsville is such an innovative leader within our province, and I would like to congratulate Suzanne and all of Community Living Huntsville on your recent OASIS award,” said Demick. “When we survey our members, housing is the No. 1 issue that people face – affordable, accessible, safe housing – so congratulations on your partnership with Habitat for Humanity.”

At the conference, OASIS also presented individual awards and scholarships to Community Living Oakville executive director Alexandra Hoeck-Murray, Reena president and CEO Bryan Keshen, and Community Living Oakville director of services and quality enhancement Jenny Parisi.

We thank OASIS for the honour of its recognition and congratulate our fellow award recipients.

Our organization continues to take action on housing in different ways. You can learn more about our housing initiatives on our website.

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside more than 300 children and adults, and their families, to live, work, and play in unique and purposeful ways in North Muskoka. Learn more at www.clhuntsville.ca and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin.