CAYUGA—Cathy Amme did not plan to spend 40 years working at Community Living Haldimand, but the people, purpose, and steady evolution of the agency gave her plenty of reasons to stay.
Amme, now a residential supervisor, first came to the organization as a student on placement at a group home in Dunnville. At the time, she said, the agency had one group home and one workshop, supporting a small number of people with a few staff members.
Amme said Community Living Haldimand did not yet have its own board of directors at that time, operating instead under a board in Norfolk. Since then, she has watched the agency grow into a more independent organization with its own board, more residential locations, community programs, and a much larger staff team.
“When I looked back, it’s like, oh, we only had one group home,” she said. “We’ve grown like a crazy amount.”
Today, Amme helps supervise two residential locations in Cayuga. Her role includes supporting staff, helping oversee day-to-day activities in the homes, supporting the people who live there, and helping ensure they remain connected to the community.
She became a supervisor about four years ago, after 36 years with the agency. Before that, she worked part- and full-time in several areas of Community Living Haldimand, including coordinator, day services, community programs, workshops, and supported independent living.
She also saw the agency run a range of ventures over the years, including a bake shop, wood shop, silk screening business, and other contract work.
Through those changes, Amme said one central goal has remained consistent.
“When I was a student, we were talking about community involvement, community involvement, and 40 years later, we’re still talking about more community involvement, more community acceptance,” she said.
Amme said she has seen more opportunities open up for people to make their own choices, live fuller lives, and be part of the broader community. She noted changes from group home settings toward more independent living, including people having their own apartments, choosing what they want to do, and making decisions about their lives.
The pace of change has not always been easy. Amme said one of the hardest parts of the job has been seeing how slowly systems and government funding can move, especially when families need support.
“I see that people could grow more if they had more support that is easier to access,” she said.
She said some aging parents are still supporting adult children at home, creating worry about future housing and care. She pointed to individualized funding and Ontario’s Passport program as important steps forward, while noting that many families still need more support and guidance to make limited funding stretch.
One of Amme’s favourite parts of her career was working in the school-to-community program, where she supported students and families as youth prepared to leave high school. She helped families understand what services might be available after school ended, how to apply, and how to navigate systems that could otherwise be confusing.
“I really enjoyed meeting the families and telling them how to get help,” she said.
The program also included March Break and summer activities, giving Amme the chance to take youth to places such as Canada’s Wonderland, Bingemans, mini putt, golfing, and go-karting.
“My gosh, that was so fun,” she said. “Who wouldn’t like to be paid to come in, go hang out with a bunch of great people?”
Amme said she did not expect to remain with Community Living Haldimand for four decades. She had originally thought she would work in a justice-related field, but a college summer job with children with disabilities changed her direction.
“I loved it,” she said. “So I went to school, took it, did my placement, and I’ve just never left.”
After more than 40 years, Amme said she still has no immediate plans to retire.
“Why would I retire?” she said. “Here, I get to see nice people, people who I like; keeps me busy.”
Outside of work, Amme enjoys kayaking, hiking local trails, gardening, spending time outdoors, and being with her young adult children.
Looking back, she said Community Living Haldimand has been good to her throughout her life and career. She has seen staff, management, services, and approaches change, but said the agency has remained focused on supporting people well.
“We really are people directed, and we want the best for people, and we’re trying to do the best for people,” she said.
Amme said she has always been proud to say she works with Community Living Haldimand, another reason that she is in no rush to retire.
“It had good leadership and good direction,” she said. “I’ve always felt good about where I worked.”
