Community Living Sarnia-Lambton announces leadership change

After 34 years leading Community Living Sarnia-Lambton, John Hagens is retiring.

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“Life marches on and it’s time to have some new experiences,” said the 77-year-old former executive director. He retired Dec. 8.

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In 1989, Hagens took the helm of the agency in Sarnia that helps people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

“It’s also really important for the Community Living organization itself to have some new leadership, have some fresh ideas,” said Hagens, who is originally from Calgary, worked for a time as a child protection worker in Renfrew County, then led another Community Living organization in the Pembroke area before coming to Sarnia.

In more than three decades, there’s been substantial growth across a suite of programs at the local agency, he said.

That includes a family respite program to give people a break from caring for their loved ones with disabilities, an employment program for people with disabilities, a summer employment program and the number of group homes the organization has, now 16, including three for respite, he said.

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“It’s been a lot of evolving, a lot of expansion,” he said, noting staffing for the organization was about one-fifth of its current 260 employees when he began as executive director.

About 400 individuals and families are helped through the organization a year, he said.

A major challenge remains housing for families, he said.

“A lot of older families that still have sons and daughters (with intellectual disabilities) living at home,” he said.

There also have been changes to how funding is provided for Community Living employment programs in Ontario, creating another challenge, he said, noting it’s important for the organization to continue efforts to see individuals and families recognized and included in the community.

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Hagens credited the organization’s staff, management and board of directors for their creativity and strength, adding he’s “been real blessed over the years to have that support and creativity from in and among the staff.

“That will carry the organization forward,” he said.

Retirement plans include “some quiet time at home” in Sarnia before searching out new hobbies and volunteer opportunities, he said

Hagens has “consistently gone above and beyond” during his time with Community Living, not only advocating for and achieving greater accessibility for people with disabilities, but “enabling them to enjoy happier and more fulfilling lives,” said Lorna Cooper, volunteer board president with Community Living Sarnia-Lambton.

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“We wish him well in his retirement and he will be truly missed,” she said.

Hagens, she noted, recently received the trailblazer award from Sarnia’s accessibility advisory committee.

The new award, presented earlier this month as part of the committee’s 11th annual accessibility awards, celebrates “the life-long passion, commitment and creativity of individuals who have advocated for and impacted the lives of people with disabilities in the City of Sarnia,” a news release says.

Corry Thomas, a health management professional who said he’s worked with Community Living clients at Holland Bloorview Hospital in Toronto, and more recently was director of client services at One Kids Place Children’s Treatment Center in North Bay, is Community Living Sarnia-Lambton’s new executive director .

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Noting he’s partnered with Community Living organizations in the past and has close family friends with children who have special needs, Thomas said the local Community Living chapter is involved in a larger push for more provincial funding.

“We’ve seen a four-per-cent increase in the last 30 years to our base budget,” he said, noting more advocacy work is needed to achieve “appropriate funding … at minimum (a) five-per-cent investment”

Hopes are also for Community Living Sarnia-Lambton to partner more with other local organizations, and focus on “evidence-based leadership and best practices,” he said.

“I think there’s lots of opportunity.”

Cooper also welcomed Thomas.

“Corry has a passion for working in our sector and has a very strong background of education and experience, which will serve him well,” she said.

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