Last May marked the 15th anniversary of the Community Partners event in Etobicoke/York region. The event celebrates and recognizes outstanding contributions by local businesses, professionals, and other paid members of the community to the people that we support and to our Community Living Toronto staff. Our Community Partners range from local businesses that employ the people that we support to the friendly neighbourhood hairdresser that offers a great hairstyle at an affordable price.

The partnerships that are formed between Community Living Toronto and the local business community are extremely valuable. Elk Shipping Supplies is one such community partner and has had a close relationship with Etobicoke Employment Training Services (ETS) for well over 20 years. Located in Mississauga, they have provided contract work to trainees and donated tape, box board and other supplies to keep the shipping department well stocked. While Ernie Morrison, owner of Elk Shipping Supplies, has semi-retired, he has passed the torch to his daughter Kelly Morrison who has kept the partnership alive. Ernie continues to attend the Community Partners events even in retirement!

Housing co-operatives are yet another example of valuable community partnerships. One cannot begin to estimate the value of providing a safe, clean and welcoming home to the people in the Supported Independent Living (SIL) program. Hickory Tree Co-op and Birmingham Co-operative Homes are two outstanding housing communities staffed by understanding, hardworking and thoughtful people. In fact, Megan Facey, Hickory Tree Co-op Manger, was last year’s award recipient for Community Partner of the Year.

Some Community Partners provide support in less obvious ways that are still highly valued. Debbie Thompson is a bank teller at TD Canada Trust. Every week she provides exceptionally friendly and thoughtful service to an individual in the SIL program. With her help, this person is able to bank independently with confidence and without needing accompaniment to the bank by a SIL worker.

Community Living Toronto Staff nominate their Community Partners every year for the annual recognition event dinner held in May. Trident Banquet Hall has been the host venue for five years and has also become a Community Partner! Nominees receive an invite to the event and a framed certificate to display in recognition of their support. The dinner offers staff an opportunity to recognize their partners and further strengthen the bond between them and Community Living Toronto. Etobicoke/York Region Council generously funds half the cost of the event.  Sandy Ashwell, Pina Bresciani, Kathy Bacchichet, Jenny Anzin, Keri Hill and Eric Laimer form the event planning committee that makes the event happen every year.

Whether it is providing paid work, volunteer opportunities, staff support or direct service to the people that we support, Community Partners are incredibly valuable to helping people with an Intellectual Disability create fulfilling lives in their communities.