By Eric Laimer

The Batasar Family has had a long affiliation with Community Living Toronto. Marc Batasar has been attending Etobicoke Employment Training Services (ETS) for over 15 years. ETS has been a valuable support for Marc to learn new skills and make friends. Harry, Marc’s father, is grateful for the outstanding service and help that he receives from the caring staff at ETS. However, there are some questions and needs that go beyond the scope of ETS. That is where Harry has relied on the support of his long time Membership with Community Living Toronto. When Harry has a question about social recreation activities, ODSP or other services within the Developmental Services sector he knows he can call his regional Membership Coordinator for answers and help.

Managing all of the paperwork and invoices for Passport and ODSP can get overwhelming at times. When he has run into problems, Harry has called his regional Membership Coordinator for assistance. Sometimes all that was needed was for the paperwork to be re-submitted. Another time, a letter was written on his behalf by the Membership Coordinator to help resolve an issue.

Harry has often attended the many information sessions that have been held for Members about the RDSP, Wills and Estates planning and other topics of interest. Aside from the valuable information that he has learned at these sessions, he has also had the opportunity to meet and connect with other families.

Membership has helped Harry stay informed and to navigate his way through the sometimes confusing sea of programs and services within the Developmental Sector. Harry has been a Community Living Toronto Member for over 20 years, which is proof of how valuable Membership has been to him, Marc and his family.