Brian will be most dearly missed!

By: Dale Makino

The Etobicoke Supported Independent Living Program and many friends and neighbours from Islington Village came together on Friday November 16^th at Creative Village Studio to celebrate the life of Brian Woods. Brian passed away on October 9^th, 2018 after several weeks in hospital battling heart failure and infections.

Brian had been involved with Community Living Toronto’s Supports and Services since 1967, when he started at the York Employment Training Services. In 1998, when his late mother had to move suddenly to long term care, Brian moved into a temporary residential placement at the Royal York Group Home and then into Lakeshore Group Home in 1999. Brian moved into the Supported Independent Living Program in 2001. In 2006, Brian moved to Etobicoke SWACA which he eventually retired from in 2012.

Brian was most certainly an unforgettable, one of a kind person. He always marched to the beat of his own drum and was both feisty and resilient. Brian was very well known by just about everyone in the Islington Village, frequenting the local coffee shops, bars, stores, and Creative Village Studio. Brian had many great friends in his building and in his community, who supported and befriended him throughout his numerous years in the neighbourhood.

Brian’s two most favourite things in the world were a hot coffee to start the day and a nice cold beer at the end of his day. Actually, coffee and beer at any time of the day were good for Brian. He also loved footwear, wearing new clothes, and using colourful language.

There will be a big void to fill in the hearts of his roommate Robert, the individuals and staff of the Etobicoke Supported Independent Living Team, the staff team at Creative Village Studio, and the Community Members of Islington Village and Mabelle Place, all of whom supported and took care of Brian for many years.

Brian will be most dearly missed.

Goodbye to Michael

By: Muhammed Irshad

As some of you are aware, Program Supervisor  Michael Polack has decided to leave Community  Living Toronto. Michael has been with CL Toronto for over 10 years, most recently as the Supervisor for both Elmcrest & Wellesworth Residences. Some of you may also know Michael from Staff Training as he was a facilitator for Medication Training as well as CPI Certification, among others. Michael has decided to move on down to Florida for some warmer weather, where he is hoping to be able to ride his motorcycle all year long. We wish Michael well in all of his future endeavors.

Download the full PDF version of this newsletter here: Connections December- Jan 2019