10/13/2026
October 13, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
Re: A Letter to Our Community Regarding Board Recruitment
At Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO), our work is guided by a clear and ambitious vision: “a fully equitable and accessible future where people with disabilities live a life unlimited.”
Every day, we partner with clients to support their lives today while advocating for a more just and accessible tomorrow. As we move forward with our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, we are strengthening our leadership foundation - and we are reaching out to individual community members and organizations like yours whose values align with ours.
We are currently recruiting new members for our Board of Directors, and we would be honoured to welcome you, or leaders from your organization, to apply. Just as importantly, we hope you will share this opportunity with your teams and encourage staff at all levels to consider board service.
A Board Without Barriers
We are intentionally building a board that reflects the diversity, lived experience, and community wisdom of the people we serve. We want board service to be accessible to everyone - not only those already in positions of power.
We warmly welcome:
• People from marginalized communities
• People with lived experience of disability
• People who have never served on a board before
• People who care deeply about equity, accessibility, and disability justice
• People who want to learn, contribute, and grow
We will accommodate any accessibility needs and remove barriers to participation. Leadership should be open, inclusive, and reflective of the communities shaping the future of care.
What Board Service Looks Like
Board members at ALSO help steward our mission and strategic direction. They champion disability justice, elevate client voices, and support a care system built on dignity, choice, and accessibility.
• We do not require fundraising, unless you want to help us fundraise.
• We do value ambassadorship - but what that looks like can be different for each person, based on their strengths, comfort, and community connections.
Why This Matters
Our strategic plan commits us to:
• Client participation - expanding the voices shaping decisions
• System leadership - confronting barriers and stigma
• Accessibility partnerships - promoting seamless access to diverse programs
• Strengthening capacity - diversifying perspectives and influence
These commitments require leadership that is broad, inclusive, and grounded in lived experience. Your staff - at every level - bring perspectives that are essential to shaping a more equitable and accessible future.
An Invitation
We would be grateful if you would:
• Share this opportunity with your teams
• Encourage staff who may not see themselves as “traditional board members” to apply
• Share this opportunity among your other circles where you feel comfortable doing so
• Consider applying yourself if this aligns with your values and commitments
Together, we can build a leadership table that reflects the communities we serve and strengthens the ecosystem of care across our region.
If you have questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please reach out. We would be delighted to connect.
With appreciation,
Leigh Vachon
Executive Director
Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO)
