Family Network Newsletter
Autumn Is Here!
Hi there, we are excited to share a new edition of our Family Connections newsletter with you! This newsletter is an initiative of the Perth County Family Network. This newsletter has been created by families for other families.
We are excited to share our newsletter is currently reaching over 100 families to date. Know a family who might appreciate our stories? Help us spread the word.
We will only send four emails a year.
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Please share this newsletter, with families you know, so that we can build connections to as many families as we can. You can do this by forwarding this email to them. They can subscribe by clicking the yellow "subscribe" button above or by clicking here.
Our Supporters
This newsletter initiative has been made possible by the Ontario Caregiver Organization and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services as part of the Family Network Grant opportunity and with support from Facile Futures.
A Splash of Fun For Families This Summer
The Perth County Family Network hosted a swim and pizza party in Mitchell on August 24th . The swim was at the West Perth Lions Pool in Mitchell. Fun was had by all who attended. We had 23 people show up. It was a nice mix of ages and families. The West Perth Lions Pool is wheel chair accessible and has a wheelchair accessible parking lot. The weather was perfect for a one hour swim before lunch. After swimming, we all met at the pavilion for a lunch of pizza, drinks and watermelon. It was a nice way to meet other families that are part of the Perth County Family Network.
Right next to the pavilion in Mitchell Lions Park is the West Perth Animal Park. Some members had fun going to see the animals afterwards. Thank you to all who came out to join in the fun. We hope to meet more members at future activities and events.
Spotlight: Mike Schout Wetlands Preserve
Looking for a fun, outdoor family activity this fall? The Mike Schout Wetlands Preserve is a fully accessible trail. It is a 1.6 km raised concrete boardwalk that spans over 20 acres. It was created in 2023.
Autumn is a perfect time to visit the preserve and take in the beautiful fall colours. Visitors can learn about the environment and the different species that make the wetlands their home.
It is open from dawn to dusk and is located at 28 Smith Creek Drive in New Hamburg.
It’s worth the drive!
Save the Dates
October 25th, 2025 at 9:30am
Join us in Listowel or Stratford on Saturday morning, for a discussion on creative housing models. Let's look at some creative examples of housing solutions families have used across Canada. Then, we'll discuss how they might support ideas for our loved ones.
October 29, 2025 6:30pm
Facile Futures is hosting a free webinar for young families preparing for adulthood on how to apply to the Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). This webinar is for families with a loved one 16+. Free facilitation to support applications to either program will be offered to families who register and who have a teenager attending a school in the Avon Maitland District School Board.
Registration is opening soon for these events!
November 22, 2025 9:30am
Join us virtually or in-person for a new webinar screening and in-person debrief in November. Building off our discussion in October about what's happening nationally on housing, let's then dive into what is happening here at home in Perth. Let's connect with each other, share what is working and where the barriers lie. More information to come on our webpage!
Youth Advisors Wanted!
Facile Futures is looking for youth advisors aged 14-25 who want to use their voice and unique perspective to help our community create a more youth-friendly job market. This is a call for youth of all abilities who are passionate about working!
Contact Shannon to learn more.
Email: shannon@facilefutures.ca. Text: 226-584-2767
Featured Resource:
Financial planning is an important topic for long-term planning. Having a strong financial plan can bring peace of mind. Ensure you and your loved one are accessing available tools and programs.
Barrier Free Benefits is a new program by Inclusion Canada offering 1-1 help with disability benefits. Their navigators are here to help you apply for benefits like the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), including help with the medical certificate, the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). We can also provide general information and advice on filing your taxes and links to free services. They can walk you through the process — from start to finish.
