Ashley Stekel is a member of Community Living Durham North’s self-advocate group, the ‘A-Team’ and feels strongly about equality and inclusion. She has been a part of the Council since 2016.
Nicole Flynn is enrolled in the General Arts and Science program at Loyalist College, where she’s a member of the women’s cross country team. Her long-term goal is to be an advisor to the government on behalf of people who have a developmental disability.
Nicole stands up for people’s rights around inclusion, education, employment, housing, and health care, and she’s very excited to be on the Council to expand her knowledge and experience. In her spare time, she likes to be outside in nature and hang out with her boyfriend, Kai Freeland.
Crystal Wales works at Community Living Walkerton and District in the kitchen. She is a member and secretary of the Walkerton Action Committee, the organization’s self-advocate group, and the Wingham Lions Club; this allows her to help many people through community service. She is happy to be a member of the Council of Community Living Ontario.
Stella Curtis is from North Bay, Ontario. She has been on the North Bay Advocacy Council for 21 years, where she has been President for 4 years and Vice-President for 2 years. Due to Covid-19, meetings have been taking place on the phone to stay safe. To pass her time, she enjoys practicing her sign language.
Gordon (Gordy) Trowsdale is from Cayuga, Ontario and part of the Community Living Haldimand Self-Advocate group, Empowering Voices. He feels very strongly about being a self-advocate and ensuring inclusion for all. He enjoys listening to music, watching live sports events, going to concerts and travelling. Photography is a hobby of Gordon’s and he loves to take pictures in his spare time.
Jordan Pretchuk is from Thunder Bay, ON where he is the Chair of his self-advocate group. He enjoys being involved with Community Living Ontario because he believes the organization advocates for the needs of people with disabilities. He appreciates that CLO cares about helping people integrate into the community where they can participate in a full life.
Scott Schihl is from Port Colborne, Ontario and is a member of Port Colbourne-Wainfleet Community Living. He is running for a position on the Council of Community Living Ontario as he finds enjoyment in promoting inclusion and the rights of people who have a disability. Scott is a member of STAR, the Chairperson for ‘People Helping People Achieve’ and sits on the Board of Port Colbourne-Wainfleet Community Living.
Jessica Forsyth is from Walkerton, Ontario. She is a member of Community Living Walkerton and District and is interested in running for the Council of Community Living Ontario. Jessica’s interest in the culinary arts has found her working in the kitchen with Community Living Walkerton catering service. She has also helped raise money for an accessible playground in her community and for the past three years, Jessica has been on a committee to make the community garden accessible for all. Jessica is interested in being part of the Council as a way to apply her leadership skills and to listen to the concerns and ideas of fellow self-advocates.