By: Georgina Stergiotis

Etobicoke/York Council and Borys Wrzesnewskyj – Liberal MP Etobicoke Centre

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon on June 10, 2018, Community Living Toronto’s Etobicoke/York Council were honoured and celebrated for Exceptional Volunteers with an Organization by Borys Wrzesnewskyj, Liberal MP for Etobicoke Centre.

All Council members are parents of children with a developmental disability and all face daily challenges with their children.  They are compassionate, caring parents and passionate about improving supports and services for individuals with a developmental disability.  Collectively, Council have volunteered over 600 hours, this past year at Community Living Toronto. They work tirelessly  to  ensure that Community Living Toronto a thriving and leading  agency in the community.

Council have raised thousands of dollars through fundraising, such as: the Annual Easy Roller Bowl a Thon, Wine and Cheese Social and Lunch to Go.  All proceeds raised from the fundraisers support various social/recreational programs, Holiday Hampers (providing gifts and assistance to over 20 families, 55 children, and 25 individuals support by APSW program). Each year, Council also sponsors a school bus for the Annual Fun Fair, host information sessions, and their Annual Holiday Party.  The Holiday party is an evening enjoyed by individuals supported by Community Living Toronto, all members and staff.

Most importantly, Council relentlessly advocate for improvements to social service programs, an increase to income supplements, and affordable housing.

The following Council members were honoured: Ann Marie Fierro (Chair), Joan Karout (Secretary and Government Relations), Mary Byne (Secretary), Susan King (Treasurer), Laura Parsonson (Board Rep, Nominating Committee), Ruth Nagy (Quality Assurance), Gaston Karout, Zdenka Bilic, Stefica Skof, Christine LeClair, Janina Coulthard, and Mary Pawson.