Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
2019-2020
Celebrating Our Heart Centered Heroes
What was life like before COVID-19?
This report for the period April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 will provide a review of the Association’s activities prior to COVID-19.
The highlight of the last year was celebrating the Associations 65th anniversary in June 2019. Rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 350 attendees who came together to celebrate the achievements of the Association. The Association, from its humble beginnings around the kitchen tables of its founding members has grown to serve over 300 people in day programs, 150 in residential supports and 1500 through community outreach supports. The Association started with a group of caring families and today the theme of caring continues to be the core value of its work. We look to this generation and future generations to ensure the Association remains a heart centered caring organization where people and their families will continue to be primary focus of the Association’s work.
We celebrated another important milestone in 2019 by achieving our second full accreditation through the FOCUS Accreditation. We are proud of all the staff members, the people we support, their families and our community partners who participated in the process and contributed to our re-accreditation success. Accreditation is a voluntary process that compares the policies, practices and daily activities of an organization against an established set of standards of excellence. It demonstrates a commitment to quality in service delivery and an accountability to the people we support, their families and the community. A limited number of agencies achieve accreditation. It signals pride in what we do and who we are as an Association. It challenges us every day to strive for excellence.
The Association has made significant progress in achieving the goals of their strategic plan. The aging of the people we support remains a critical focus of our work and we remain committed to supporting people through all the stages of their lives. This means a change to more accessible homes and accessible vehicles and to the education of our staff on how to support people’s cognitive and physical well-being as they age.
We have also expanded our supports to transitional age youth who are leaving the children’s social service system. We are proud to
be recognized as an organization that assumes new challenges and are responsive to the needs of the community. The Association has gained a reputation as being a service provider of “choice” for their competency in providing support to transitional age youth.
In the months since March 2020, and I suspect well into the future, the focus of the Association’s work will continue to be the challenge of working with COVID-19. We have started to consider what supports and services will look like in the future. We will continue to review best practices and will be guided by the health safety and emotional well-being of the people we support. It will be a challenging process.
In 2019 I made a personal decision to retire. As I look back over my 45 years with the Association, I feel a deep gratitude of having had such a meaningful career. I discovered the purpose of my life on the day I was hired to support the people being served by the Association. I have worked with many dedicated long serving staff over those years and together we have created a culture of caring that is the heart of the Association. I am so grateful for their support and commitment over the years. I feel honoured to have worked with the families who created this outstanding Association. It has been truly inspiring. I would also like to thank all the board members with whom I have worked with over the years; your support and guidance has made the Association what it is today.
The Board of Directors conducted a candidate search in the fall of 2019 to find a successor. They developed a transition plan over recent months for the new Executive Director that was modified by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I join the Board of Directors to proudly announce that Sandra Caravan has become the new Executive Director of Community Living York South. I have worked with Sandra over the last three years. I know Sandra as a highly competent professional who has the key attribute of being a caring person. Sandra is a natural fit with the culture of the Association. She quickly earned the support of the staff after joining the Association. On behalf of all the board of directors, Cherryl Berliner, President of the Board of Directors and I welcome and support Sandra in her new role.
Respectfully submitted by
Don Wilkinson Cheryl Berliner
Retiring Executive Director President, CLYS Board of Directors
Executive Director, Community Living York South
CHERRYL BERLINER -President
CHARRISE CLARKE-HENSBY - Vice President
JASPREET GILL - Past-President
REMUS LEUNG - Treasurer
ROBERT (BOB) DACOSTA - Secretary
ED LAU -Director
IRIS CHUNG -Director
RAHILA CHUGHTAI-Director
SAMIR PATEL-Director
SHANAE SOOR-Director
Community Living York South
In 2019/20, Community Living York South continued to be guided by our Strategic Plan 2018 – 2020. We are pleased to present some highlights of the past year. Under our regular strategic planning process we would begin a refresh of our current strategic plan in 2020, however the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted that process. We continue to work under our current directions as well as the guidance of our mission, vision and values.
Condensed Statement of Financial Position & Operations
Year ended March 31, 2020, with comparative
figures for 2019
Donation & Supports from
Other Sources
1%
Fee for Service
9%
Government Subsidies & Grants
90%
Family & Individual Supports
2%
Community Supports
3%
Administration
6%
Independent Living
Supports
10%
Day Supports
22%
Residential Supports
57%
Residential Services:
92 people supported
Supported Independent Living/Transitional Aged Youth:
54 people supported
Community Participation:
298 people supported
Intensive Supports:
4 people supported
ACT 4 Youth Initiative:
60 youth supported
Community Support Program:
500 people and families actively supported
netWORKS Program:
54 youth supported
Summer Camp & Respite Activities:
139 children, youth, and adults supported
Agha Khan Museum
Hockey Hall of Fame
Science Center
Casa Loma
CN Tower
Lindt & Sprungli
ME & Lau Family Foundation
Kernels
Manuel Jordao & Associates Limited
Flair Property Management
Forestbrook Dental
Inter Medico
Goodhealth Rejuvenation Centre
Pixiders Inc.
Dulux
Staples Promotional Products
Food for Thought
KPMG LLP
NewRoads
AccountTemps
David Butt
Cowan Insurance
Deacon Group
Rainmaker Strategies
The Keg
Longos
VIA Rail
ROM
Holland Marsh
Catherine Wan
Kenneth Tung
Janet Tsao
Derek Yam
Fiona Cheuk
Anita Ko
Gregory Sin
Alexndra Lam
Tammy Mok
Thomas Simpson
Roy Westerhoek
Mika Chow
Teresa Palmieri
William Cresswell
Teresa Palmieri
William Cresswell
Patricia Morris
Sylvia Bittle
Patricia Morris
The Wilkinson Gift of the Heart was established in 2018, inspired by Don Wilkinson who models and lives the values of being heart-centered and selfless giving to improve people’s lives.
This award was envisioned to be presented to a staff member who:
who have an intellectual disability, their families and our community
achieve those opportunities and possibilities
of the Association’s support to people
This year, in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, in lieu of presenting this award to one individual staff, we dedicated the award to ALL staff for their tremendous commitment and contribution to supporting health, safety and wellness of people we support, families, themselves, each other and our community. Our staff have demonstrated compassion, caring,
professionalism and heart-centered support in the face of a situation we have never
experienced before. We are thankful beyond adequate words for their leadership in
their roles and bringing their best every day!
"Your life was a blessing,
your memory a treasure,
you are loved beyond words,
and missed beyond measure"
Anna was a gentle soul whose bright smile planted her directly as the center of attention, her favourite place to be! She loved her family, her Timmies, and singing ‘Silent Night’ no matter the time of year. She was deeply loved, and is greatly missed.
Dan was fun-loving, humorous jokester who we dearly miss. He is remembered for his pranks and wonderful laugh!
Peter was a kind, gentle man with a unique sense of humour.
He loved his friends and was always willing "to help out a friend".
He always looked forward to Friday night beer at the Pub.
He touched many hearts and he will forever be missed.
Debbie was an adventure seeker who loved spending her time downtown Toronto (CNE, Ripleys, Medieval Times). She loved shopping, not just for herself but for the people who were important to her. Debbie was a kind soul who loved her cat Bella and ensured that she always had the best kitty treats. During down-time, we would see Debbie enjoying card games and puzzle books. We miss you Debbie.
Nicole was a warm-hearted person who had a smile that would light up a room. She always loved having a good time and laughing with friends and family. She is truly missed.
Carmelo was a fantastic person. He spent his days exploring the GTA and making friends. Whether he was meeting you for the first time or reconnecting with an old friend, he always greeted you with a big smile!
Robert was a very special and kind-hearted man. He had a passion for helping others. He volunteered for many years with the Lions Club and at MSH. One of his favourite things to do was to stop in and catch up with friends in his community.
Patty became a part of the CLYS family in 1973. Patty lived at 9 Sir Kay Drive and was part of the Markham community for over 40 years. Patty was a gentle soul with a big heart. She loved her family and had a special relationship with her sister Lynn and cherished the time she had with her. Patty’s roommates held a special place in her heart and she was fortunate enough to have them as her second family. Patty loved everything Christmas and enjoyed the simple things in life. Patty loved to travel and was the first one packed and ready to “hit the road”. She enjoyed being active and always participated in various sporting events. Patty had a love for animals and enjoyed visits to zoos and farms. Patty will always be remembered for her kindness, vibrancy and passion for life.