This Month in Lambton - December 2022

The December 2022 edition of This Month in Lambton includes the following news, service updates, programs and events:

• Local Immigration Partnership launches Welcome to Lambton app
• Renovated Lambton Shared Services Centre celebrates re-opening
• Integrated Homelessness Prevention Team recognized by OMSSA
• Winter travel
• Protect yourself from the flu and other common viruses
• Community Paramedic Program receives City of Sarnia award
• Art & Ideas with JNAAG
• Live Sessions with the Oil Museum of Canada – National Historic Site
• Learn about the history of maple syrup in North America
• Become a member at Lambton County Archives
• Check It Out!
• Lambton County Library holiday hours
• 3D Printer available at Watford Library in January
• Stay active this winter with your library card

Local Immigration Partnership launches Welcome to Lambton app

The Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership (SL-LIP) officially launched the Welcome to Lambton app this month.

Created by the SL-LIP, in collaboration with TMRRW Inc. and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Welcome to Lambton app is a user-friendly, personalized guide to support newcomers to Lambton County. It has an integrated translation component, currently making the app content available in eight languages.

The Welcome to Lambton app focuses on providing a virtual welcome to newcomers to Lambton County. The app connects users with community programs and settlement services, provides personalized pre- and post-arrival checklists, and delivers guidance on how to complete important tasks like finding a home, searching for a job, and locating childcare and healthcare. It also serves as a tool for service providers, sponsors, or anyone supporting newcomers to the community.

All personal information collected in the app is confidential and used to create a personalized profile for app users. Certain anonymous information - like demographic and service access information - will be collected to help ensure the emerging needs of our local newcomer population are met and will help inform future decisions surrounding local service and program delivery.

You can download the Welcome to Lambton app on your mobile device through the App Store and Google Play Store today.

Stephanie Ferrera, SL-LIP and Liwordson Vijayabalan, TMRRW Inc., answer questions from guests at the launch event for the Welcome to Lambton app

Renovated Lambton Shared Services Centre celebrates re-opening

The County of Lambton held a re-opening celebration for the Lambton Shared Services Centre on November 23, hosting a ceremonial ribbon cutting and tours for local partner organizations and members of the media.

In 2020, Lambton County Council approved a 20-year lease agreement between the County of Lambton and Seasons Retirement Communities, the current owner of the property, with one of the stipulations being the renovation of the Lambton Shared Services Centre. Renovations to the facility are nearing completion and staff have relocated from the temporary space in the basement back to the main floor.

The changes to the Shared Services Centre will help the County and their partners continue to deliver exceptional services to the community. The main lobby area has been configured to allow better access and flow and includes two new meeting rooms.

The Shared Services Centre houses several departments from the County of Lambton including Homelessness Prevention & Children’s Services, the Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership, Lambton Circles, Court Services, Housing Services, Ontario Works, Lambton Works Centre, and some program areas from Lambton Public Health and Procurement and Project Management. The Centre is also home to the local branch of the Ontario Disability Support Program, one of the County’s partner organizations from the Province of Ontario.

To learn more about the services provided by the County of Lambton, visit lambtononline.ca.

City of Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Indigenous Elder Michael Plain, Lambton County CAO Ron Van Horne and Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Lambton Shared Services Centre re-opening celebration.

Integrated Homelessness Prevention Team recognized by OMSSA

Congratulations to our Integrated Homelessness Prevention Team, who is being recognized as a 2022 Local Municipal Champion by The Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA).

Made up of staff from both the Ontario Works and Homelessness Prevention Departments, the Integrated Homelessness Prevention Team uses an intensive case management model to help people exit the emergency shelter system, provide stability supports, and secure housing.

The Integrated Homelessness Prevention Team will be recognized at the upcoming OMSSA 2023 Exchange Conference in Ottawa.

Learn more about the Integrated Homelessness Prevention Team, and their work, here: http://ow.ly/OwKH50LNXW0

Winter travel

Winter travel season has arrived and motorists are again being reminded to adjust their travel plans when severe weather is forecast.

511 Ontario provides travellers with information on road conditions, weather, radar imagery, and plow routes.

If you encounter bad weather or road conditions while driving, slow down and allow plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles. Make sure you can be seen by ensuring that your headlights and tail lights are on.

Always dress for the weather: bring along suitable clothing in case you have to walk or remain in your vehicle for a long period of time.

If you become stranded, it is often best to stay with your vehicle and wait for help. Make sure you have an emergency supplies kit for these situations. For details on what to include, visit EmergenciesLambton.ca.

Protect yourself from the flu and other common viruses

As social interactions move indoors, we are managing a complex respiratory season that can impact the most vulnerable including children under five years of age. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Influenza are driving the hospital admissions for children in Ontario.

As a community, we need to protect the most vulnerable as many of these young children are most susceptible to respiratory viruses, and adults can transmit to them. Families and individuals that support children under five years age need to use extra caution to limit exposure. The Chief Medical Officer of Health is strongly recommending that Ontarians mask in all indoor public settings, including in schools and in childcare settings.

Children aged two to five should only wear a mask with supervision if they can safely tolerate masking and can put it on and take it off. It is very important to use basic actions to reduce the spread of respiratory illness. It will be essential for our health care system and capacity to support individuals with severe illness.

Community Paramedic Program receives City of Sarnia award

The Lambton EMS Community Paramedic Program recently received the Outstanding Customer Service in a Social Service Sector Award from the Sarnia Accessibility Advisory Committee (SAAC).

SAAC hosted the City’s 10th annual Accessibility Awards on Dec. 1 at the St. Clair Corporate Centre. The City of Sarnia recognizes local businesses and individuals that excel at creating inclusive environments and awareness for people with disabilities, and paid special recognition to those businesses and individuals at the Accessibility Awards ceremony.

The Outstanding Customer Service in a Social Service Sector Award recognizes individuals working in the social service sector who offer exceptional service for individuals with a disability. A citizen of Sarnia nominated the Community Paramedic Program and named Paramedic Joe Emilio for going above and beyond his duties in helping one of our clients in navigating our health care system.

Please join us in congratulating Joe and all Lambton EMS staff!

Todd Martin and Joe Emilio, Lambton EMS, receive the Outstanding Customer Service in a Social Service Sector Award from Sarnia Accessibility Advisory Committee member Christine Wright.

Art & Ideas with JNAAG

The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery will be hosting two in-person Art & Ideas lectures this January.

Live Sessions with the Oil Museum of Canada – National Historic Site

Calling all teachers and homeschoolers!

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we are all a little tired. Why not let the Oil Museum of Canada do some of the heavy lifting and book one of our Live Sessions to deliver educational presentations in your classroom?

No need for a bus, since these programs are delivered virtually, for free. Choose one of the many presentations available from our menu of opportunities at oilmuseum.ca.

Learn about the history of maple syrup in North America

It may be cold today, but the sweetest time of year is just around the corner! Soon the weather will start to warm up and the maple sap will begin to flow. Sweet Maple Syrup is one of two Interactive Lessons available on our website at heritagemuseum.ca.

Recommended for grades 3 to 5, you can download a full lesson plan and learn how maple syrup is made and the long history of making maple products in North America.

Become a member at Lambton County Archives

Lambton County Archives invites you to become a member! Discover your roots or learn about the history of Lambton County.

A membership in the Archives comes with the following perks:

• Free admission to the Archives
• Free admission to all Heritage Sarnia-Lambton museums
• A copy of Lambton Musings, the quarterly publication of Heritage Sarnia-Lambton which includes museum news, local history stories, and community heritage events
• Reduced research and printing costs
• One free hour of research
• Early bird invites to special events

Learn more at lambtonarchives.ca.

Check It Out!

Stay up to date with Lambton County Library and pick up your copy of Check It Out!, your guide to library news and programs.

Discover upcoming programs taking place in January and February including author talks, tech help workshops and learning sign language. The bimonthly program guide will also explore your right to intellectual freedom and recommend titles that have been banned throughout history.

Visit your local library and pick up a free copy or subscribe for a digital copy today at subscribe.lclibrary.ca.

Lambton County Library holiday hours

Lambton County Library will be adjusting its hours during the holiday season.

The following dates will have adjusted hours:

In addition, Lambton County Library will be closing its material return boxes from Friday, December 23, 2022 to Tuesday, December 27, 2022 and Friday, December 30, 2022 to Monday, January 2, 2023. Please plan your visit to drop off returns in advance and do not return your items during this time of closure. Due dates on library items will be extended until Thursday, January 6, 2023.

3D Printer available at Watford Library in January

Need to replace your hex wrench or want to make a holiday keychain for a friend? The 3D Printer will be available at Forest Library throughout November and December. The Ultimaker 2+ Connect 3D printer lets you print 3D object using ready-to-print designs or a design of your own using Ultimaker Cura.

Attend the following workshops to become trained to use the equipment from the library's makerspace and you can then use the 3D printer independently.

Stay active this winter with your library card

Staying active and enjoying the outdoors isn’t limited to the warm months! There's plenty to do, see and enjoy THIS season - So get active this winter with help from your local Lambton County Library.

They offer free rentals of active living items such as pedometers, GPS units, snowshoes and Ontario Parks passes - Making it easy to get out there and explore Lambton County parks and trails for improved mental and physical health.

Go to lclibrary.ca for more information. A message from Lambton Public Health.