Relationships

Relationships are important in everyone’s life. This is true for many reasons:

  • for staying safe,
  • for figuring out some of life’s decisions,
  • for feeling strong enough to try new things or to make a change,
  • and simply for having good connections in our neighbourhoods and community.

We have been talking about relationships, friendships, and networks for years in Windsor and Essex County. Each of us have all kinds of relationships. This includes those who are closest to us, like family or friends. It also includes the people we see at the places we go – same time, same place – often called natural supports; and includes the people we invite to be part of an intentional Support Circle.

Natural supports are the people in the community who help out just by being there. They are not necessarily friends but they sure make life easier. For example: your hairdresser or barber, the person at the take-out counter of your favourite coffee place, or the vendor at the market.

Support Circles, also sometimes called Networks of Support, are about the intentional presence of family, friends, and others in our lives, the important relationships we have; those who care about our well-being, happiness, and the quality of our lives.  Support Circles purposefully created for people with disabilities are an excellent way to ensure a safe and secure future.

Friendships & ConnectionsSupport Networks & Circles of SupportSupported Decision Making

When it comes to the concept of Support Circles and Networks of Support, it is not about the exact terms or words we use. Different people, places and countries will use different phrases when it comes to intentionally creating a Support Circle or Network of Support. You will see different titles and phrases used in the resources below. Networks of Support, Circles of Support, Personal Networks are a few examples. It is more important to think about the intention, purpose and the function we hope for in the end – rather than the terms that are used. We believe that you will find some interesting and supportive documents, resources and links below — something for everyone’s style and learning approach. 

To respect citizenship and basic decision-making rights, we believe people can be supported to direct their own lives, including their vision and goals, choosing a home option, life passions and valued roles! 

We look forward to the day when a legal framework for supported decision-making is in place in Ontario.  People, families and allies have been asking for new decision-making laws in this province for a very, very long time.

Without a legal framework in Ontario for supported decision-making, we can still offer support for decision making with the people living with disabilities in our lives. People are best supported with their decisions by those who know them best – those who understand their ways of communicating, and their likes and dislikes. Everyone can express themselves somehow! We can all support choices by listening closely to what the person is expressing, and following their direction. 

Relationships, Circles, Networks – Info & Resource List

A local My Home My Choice publication containing relevant information and a description of resources to inspire and support people in Windsor-Essex along the journey to an everyday life as a citizen.

All resources listed are available for borrowing from the lending libraries at Windsor-Essex Family Network and Windsor Essex Brokerage for Personal Supports.

relationshipscirclesnetworks-2021-resource-list (1)Download