Company Report: Community Living Algoma
A never-ending journey With a dedicated staff behind it, this non-profit organization is a long-time, successful provider of continuous guidance to the intellectually disabled

It sounds like something you'd read on a fortune cookie or at a place of worship. However, it's the six-word vision statement of Community Living Algoma, which poetically reads: "Join the journey, all people belong." It says everything you need to know about the organization.

Throughout his tenure as Executive Director of Community Living, a provider of daily support to people with intellectual disabilities, John Policicchio has instilled the virtues of this vision in every single employee.

"There are really two parts to the message. The first part is join the journey. We always take a journey at Community Living. It never ends. Each and every day, we're supporting someone and we've helped them achieve their goals. But then tomorrow they'll have new goals, so it's never ending," says Policicchio. "The second part is all people belong. We want everyone to know that people with disabilities are active members of the community."

Policicchio and Director of Organizational Development and Innovation, Lisa Louttit, are adamant in explaining Community Living Algoma is far from a run-of-the-mill caretaking operation. Every day is different and that's how it's supposed to be. This variation is part of their journey to ensure the developmentally disabled truly belong in the communities in which they live. Management at the organization empowers its employees to provide this experience for the people they support.

"One strength we have is in empowering the staff at all levels. In the early part of the decade, the staff was in more of a caretaker role. They know the people we help the best. They work with them on a daily basis. We strive to empower them to take risks and be creative. That's done a lot for the staff. Now they're thinking in ways they've never thought and doing things they've never done before," says Louttit.

CHILDERN'S WORK
While the creative direction given to the employees is a constant at Community Living Algoma, there are traditional services offered to people as well. This includes group living, employment support, vocation services, specialized support, advocacy, social work, individual support for people living in communities and children's support as well.

The children's support is among the most important work being done at Community Living Algoma. The organization's employees provide a range of individualized services to children with intellectual disability as well as their families. From a community perspective, the organization works with locals in various sectors - schools, recreational activities, etc - to ensure complete involvement from children and youth.

"An area where we work with the community is in youth leadership and involvement. There's lot of different things we've worked on by collaborating with other members and stakeholders to try and identify gaps and improvement services available to all youths," says Louttit, pointing to one specific example. "We've done some interesting things with some of the youths in schools by raising awareness of bullying. For example, we brought in an inspirational youth speaker who spoke to kids in local schools on the use of the 'R' word."

CHALLENGES AND REWARDS
Working for Community Living Algoma is both rewarding and challenging. The concept of change in particular has been a focal contradiction at the organization. Policicchio notes many employees have embraced their evolving roles, finding the transformation gratifying in many ways. However, others have strained on the issue.

"The concept of change has been a constant struggle with the staff. The majority embrace it. But some find it insecure to be in a constantly changing working environment. The change is simple and it's what we need employees to understand," says Policicchio.

One of the other noted challenges is financial difficulties. Currently the organization runs at a $2 million deficit, which Policicchio says has been left at their doorstep to resolve.

"We have constant pressure to do more and more, but we're at the point where we cannot do more," he stresses, adding with a deficit any growth for the organization is unlikely for the time being. Yet he doesn't see that as a problem, "We never thought bigger was better in terms of growth of service. We see growth in terms of added support and realigning of resources to create opportunities for people who don't have access."

EMPLOYEE SUPPORT
Challenges aside, there is a reason many employees have stayed with Community Living Algoma for prolonged periods of time. Most employees will say the fulfillment truly outweighs the trials of the profession. Additionally, the organization shows unmatched dedication to its employees through recognition and appreciation.

"When an employee hits a milestone, 20 years and up, I personally come find them and take a photo with them. They also get a gift card and a write up on our website. We've made it part of our consciousness to support the people who are supporting the intellectually challenged in the first place," he states.

Undoubtedly, the harmonious relationship between employees and the organization is another example of Community Living Algoma's six-word vision. In fact, both Policicchio and Louttit say the organization's employees are its most incomparable feature. The culture created by employees is what allows for Community Living Algoma to continue as a successful organization.

"I think what makes us unique are the employees of the organization. The creativity, innovation and passion exhibited by our employees and those who are a part of this organization are what make us unique. I think we've recognized this profession is a challenge. However, it's very gratifying and rewarding. Our employees, and the roles they've played in enhancing people's lives, that's our uniqueness," concludes Policicchio.

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