Land acknowledgement
This is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee.
This territory, covered by the Upper Canada Treaties, is within the lands protected by the “Dish with One Spoon” Wampum Agreement and is directly adjacent to the Haldimand Treaty Territory. Today, this land continues to be the home of many Indigenous Peoples.
Acknowledging ensures we reflect on our past, on today and what changes can be made going forward to further the reconciliation process; and it reminds us that the great standard of living that we enjoy in Niagara is directly related to the resources and friendships of the Indigenous People who make up our community.
Message from Board President and Chief Executive Officer
Bill Jackson and Paul McGowan
Bethesda exists to support people. We take a holistic approach to our supports and services to ensure the wellbeing of people, to empower them, and to build their personal capacity. This support of people’s wellbeing applies to our staff as well.
This past fiscal year has been focused on strengthening our supports to promote staff wellbeing so that they can in turn provide collaborative, quality supports to the people they support. Throughout this years’ annual report you will learn how we have provided training and connection opportunities to staff, provided meaningful and inclusive activities to the people we support, and increased our collaboration with the community.
Bethesda is dedicated to partnering with our community to ensure the best outcomes for people and educating the community of the needs and abilities of people within Developmental Services. To ensure we are meeting this to the best of our ability, we have been striving to enhance our position in the sector so that we may ensure that the voices of the people we support are heard.
Part of this action plan has been to increase our media presence so that we may share the stories and incredible achievements of those we support. We are thankful to our local media for assisting us in this goal and to our internal team who created an incredible new bi-yearly magazine: INSPIRE
We look forward to another year of strengthening our collaborative and innovative services!
Respectfully,
William (Bill) Jackson
Paul McGowan Board Chair/President Chief Executive Officer
MISSION
Bethesda provides, in the Spirit of Christ, inclusive, collaborative, flexible, and holistic supports and services, empowering people to build their personal capacity throughout life.
VISION VALUES
An inclusive community of supports and services that inspire, encourage, and empower children, youth and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and their families, to live their best lives.
• Respect and Compassion
• Diversity, Inclusivity and Choice
• Collaboration
• Innovative, Quality Services
Thank You
to our volunteer Board of Directors who provide diligent oversight for the governance of Bethesda.
Bill Jackson President
Doug Peters Vice President
Cheryl Tyndall Secretary
Kevin Stienstra Treasurer
Bill Janzen Director
Beth Vanstaalduinen Director
Tom Wall Director
Sharron Haberfield Director
Rick Wiebe Director
Thank You
to our Senior Leadership team who are committed to operationalizing Bethesda’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
Paul McGowan Chief Executive Officer
Alyson Wilson Director, Children and Youth Services
Liz Froese Director, Adult Clinical Services
Margaret Lockhart Director, Administrative Services
Shelley Mercer Director, Adult Services
Partnering for a common purpose
Thank You to our partners
With your partnership, we are able to provide additional innovative, quality services to our community.
Sous-comité pour enfants et adolescents
Tamara Cottle: Drum Circle
Amici’s Banquet and Conference Centre
Carrie Sinkowski: Taylor the Turtle
Ontario Disability Support Program
Thank You to our local media for sharing our story with the community. With your support we can reach more children, youth, adults, and their families to support them in living their best lives.
Strategic Direction Updates
Adult Services
Strategic Direction 1
Develop further alternate housing options based on peoples’ needs.
Bethesda has always placed the needs of people first. In meeting with a person, and their family, referred to our Supported Living program for group home living, it was determined that this program was not the right fit for them. Through close collaboration with the person receiving support and their family, a customized plan was crafted to match the needs of their lifestyle –supporting the person in their family home. With this, an alternative housing option was created with in-home care.
Here is the story of the initiation of this innovative program from the mother’s perspective.
*for anonymity of those involved, names have been changed
“Our intention was to have James living with us in the family home, but 2 years ago he began eloping… and was hospitalized for over 2 months.”
Susan, mother of James who is one of the first to receive this innovative support model, says the options that were available at the time didn’t fit for their family and James’ needs.
“After visiting the home, we decided that a group living situation is not where we wanted James to be. In our regular group meetings with Contact Niagara and other individuals that were helping us, we voiced our concerns about the group home living situation and asked if there was any way for us to make an apartment for him and have him live in our home with support.”
This gap in service sparked a collaborative and tailored approach to finding the best solution for James.
“Bethesda advised that they were interested in this type of arrangement and we are so happy that James can continue to live in his home and still get to enjoy meals and family time with us with the support he needs.”
The benefits of a tailored program like this are farreaching, but one of the key advantages is the boost in independence. Support plans are designed to equip people with the skills and resources they need to manage daily tasks on their own as much as possible. This not only creates a sense of accomplishment but also builds confidence and self-esteem.
The familiar home environment is one of the biggest benefits of this model. Imagine the comfort and security of your own surroundings! In-home support allows people to relax and be themselves, eliminating the anxieties that can arise in unfamiliar settings. It’s a space where they can truly flourish.
Social inclusion is crucial. In-home support doesn’t mean isolation. These programs help people connect with their communities and participate in activities they enjoy. Whether it’s joining a local fitness group, volunteering at a shelter, or attending a neighbourhood gathering, the program provides assistance and encouragement for social engagement.
The impact of personalized in-home support goes beyond daily tasks. By addressing individual needs and promoting independence, it can significantly enhance a person’s overall well-being.
Bethesda is proud to lead the way with in-home support, and currently has three in-home support services in place in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and Grimsby.
Strategic Direction Updates
Adult Clinical Services
Strategic Direction 1
Reduce time required to access services.
Bethesda’s Adult Clinical Services is continuously seeking ways to improve the pathways to clinical services. In 2023-2024, the Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) continued implementation and has effectively increased the clinical team’s ability to respond to referrals sooner and ensure the people supported receive the services they need in less time.
The CAPA approach focuses on creating mutually agreed upon goals between the person supported and the clinician to actively involve the person supported in their own care.
This transformation model combines collaboration and participation between the person supported, their caregivers, community supports and the clinician.
As a result, the time required to access services has reduced.
The implementation of CAPA is 50% complete and we look forward to seeing further reductions in time to access services once fully implemented.
January 2024
April 2022
Strategic Direction Updates
Children and Youth Services
Strategic Direction 4
Enhance and grow relationships with all community partners and develop new partnerships to improve services to children and youth.
Collaboration is the key to success.
When communities work together they achieve greater success for the people that live there. This is why Bethesda’s Children and Youth Services is committed to increasing their number of meaningful community partnerships by 50% from 2023-2028.
Specialized summer camps were held for five-day blocks (Monday to Friday) and focused on a specific skill or interest area, such as building confidence, and included:
Children and Youth Services have increased partnerships by 42% to date. We are 84% of the way to meeting this goal!
Bethesda and the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) developed a partnership to offer summer camps and unique family events during the summer of 2023.
The DSBN provided special funding for the events in support of children and youth who who have a diagnosis of Autism and/or a Developmental Disability in the Niagara Community.
• Social Skills Group
• Drama Camp
• Arts Camp
• Sports Camp
• Games Camp
• Transition to Kindergarten
• Transition Back to Elementary School
The special events were created for the enjoyment of the whole family and to provide new experiences for children and youth. These included:
• PD Day – Practicing social skills through games and activities
• Teen Board Game Café
• Drum Circle
• Bethesda Playground Drop-in
This one partnership opportunity provided many children, youth and their families with an enjoyable summer full of skill building activities that assisted with a smoother transition back to school in September. We are grateful for the support of the DSBN to offer these incredible experiences and look forward to providing more in the future.
children and youth participated in the camp. families participated in the summer activities.
“Scarlett is benefiting from the back to school session this week. She has really come out of her shell in just one week. She seems to love it and is adjusting well to “us” not being with her.
It is literally the first time she is without family being with her and she is adjusting better than expected. She actually gets upset when we come pick her up.
As strange as it sounds, we are super happy about that. It will make the transition to kindergarten easier.”
- Cassandra and Georgia
Other partnership opportunities being developed include Quest Community Health Centre to offer a Youth Empowerment Group for youth who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ and a Puberty, Sexuality, and Relationships series; as well as the Niagara Regions’ EarlyON centres to provide preschool groups.
With the assistance of a grant from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services ( see page 57), we have successfully established a partnership with Centre de santé communautaire to increase our capacity to support the Francophone community.
Thank you to our partners for helping us to help children, youth and their families to live their best lives!
Bethesda’s Highlights Adult Clinical Services
Groups and Workshops
Bethesda’s Adult Clinical Services developed a yearly calendar to provide a range of workshops and groups. Any person being supported by one of the Adult Clinical Services teams is eligible to attend any of these groups.
A drop-in virtual group
We think staying connected is important and contributes to a person’s well being and mental health. Saturday Social provides friendly conversation, laughs and social support. This group is facilitated by two peer facilitators.
Mapping My Body and Emotions
Interceptive awareness is the ability to recognize what is happening inside of your body and to connect this feeling to an emotion. Our body gives us important signals that let us know when we are thirsty, hungry, our need to use the bathroom and it gives us clues to our emotions. This workshop teaches the skills for interceptive awareness.
This workshop aims to facilitate an environment that encourages people to pay attention in a way that is purposeful, in the present, and without judgement. Participants have the opportunity to learn and practice various mindfulness techniques including gratitude, journaling, and relaxation practices.
Coping with Health Conditions
Living with a long-term health condition (also called chronic health conditions) comes with challenges and can feel overwhelming at times.
Bethesda offers this 12-week Coping with Health Conditions virtual group to help take charge of personal health and manage the everyday challenges that come from living with a long-term health condition. Living with a chronic health condition can lead to physical, emotional and social distress. Join us to learn from others how to manage this distress.
Topics include learning risk factors, understanding medication, how to face and handle problems, and learning tips for coping with the psychological impact.
Building Opportunities for Lifelong Development
Bethesda’s Behaviour Support and Occupational Therapy Services collaborated to facilitate this virtual life skills group. The aim of BOLD is to promote skill building in essential areas of life to maximize independence at home and in the community.
Topics include money management, navigating the community, self-care and hygiene, volunteering skills, and healthy eating.
Coping with Anger, Learning to Manage
This group is intended for adults who want to learn new ways of recognizing and coping with their anger. This virtual group occurs once a week for 8 weeks.
During the 8 weeks of CALM people learn four primary skills:
• Mindfulness
• Emotion Regulation
• Distress Tolerance
• Interpersonal Effectiveness
Wonder of ME
A group-format program designed to teach emotional selfregulation skills, coping strategies, and a stronger understanding of pro-social behaviours in a variety of social settings. Wonder of ME is for anyone with a developmental disability who struggles with emotional dysregulation and trauma.
Topics include strengths and strong emotions, recreational therapy, coping strategies, grief and hope, and boundaries, rights, and responsibilities.
Healthy Relationships
The purpose of this group is to learn how to develop, strengthen, and maintain interpersonal and romantic relationships in order to reduce social isolation and increase feelings of connectedness.
Topics include different types of relationships, consent and communication, challenges that can occur in a relationship.
Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation curriculum developed by Kuypers (2011), focuses on teaching self-advocates how to identify feelings/emotions and internal states by introducing the Four Coloured Zones (blue, green, yellow and red zone).
The Zones of Regulation curriculum includes Social Thinking concepts that incorporates the use of visuals, which help to strengthen each self-advocate’s ability to identify their feelings/ emotions for the purpose of developing appropriate problem solving techniques, along with tools to regulate their “zones.”
Mental Health and Wellness
Bethesda understands that health is not just physical. There are many factors that contribute to a person’s health, and that is why we take a holistic approach to our supports.
Bethesda has developed a comprehensive mental health program that promotes wellness for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities through individual or group counselling.
We provide supports for a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, medical illness, grief or other challenges that life may bring.
Using a trauma informed approach to our care, we meet people where they are at in their mental health and wellness journeys.
Our mental health team is made up of regulated health professionals who are trained in best practice models for people with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities.
Our Mental Health and Wellness supports available are:
Mental Health Counselling/Psychotherapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Health Counselling
• Art and Play Therapy
• Sex Therapy
Trauma Treatment and Counselling
• Eye Movement Desensitization
Reprocessing (EMDR)
Socio-Sexual Education and Consultation
• Individual Counselling/Consultation
• Educational Workshops
Mental Health and Wellness Therapy Groups and Workshops
• MAP (Mapping My Body and Emotions)
• Wonder of Me
• Anxiety and Depression
• Wellness through Art
Bereavement Support
• Let’s Talk Group
• Workshops
• Individual Support
Urgent Mental Health and Wellness Support
• Every Tuesday between 9:00am-5:00pm (currently Niagara only)
Grief Counselling
Caregiver Support Groups
Thank you Kirsten for your kindness and unwavering support for Alexandra. You have really helped her grow as an adult and helped her regain her confidence in herself again. COVID really affected our family and many others I am sure. Alexandra had become more anxious and struggled with the changes in our lives. She experienced many losses and struggled with how to deal with all the changes. The zoom calls really gave her that extra support she needed. When you are a parent of a special needs Adult, the programs/supports available are few and far between. From the day I reached out to Bethesda, you have been compassionate, empathetic and really put support into place that truly helped Alexandra. She is back to being the happy, enthusiastic person we know her to be.
Kirsten found the right tools to help Alexandra deal with her daily struggles. You were positive, supportive, but still made sure she understood the consequences. She did shed a few tears after you left. That speaks volumes on how she felt about you as a friend.
– Sandra Dunlop
Community Response Program (CRP)
Bethesda’s Community Response Program provides supports to people with challenging behaviours and over the last year has redefined its program streams to be more responsive to the people supported and their caregivers.
There are three Community Response Program treatment pathways:
1. Intensive Treatment Program
Supported living treatment for up to 6 months
2. Community Treatment Program (previously Mobile Treatment)
30 to 90 days of support in the person’s home environment
3. Assessment Bed
Support provided at Bethesda for up to 30 days
In addition, the Community Response Program provides outreach supports through four service options:
1. Fun Nights and Camps
2. Workshops
3. Trainings
4. Outreach supports to Community Behaviour Resources
The Community Response Program promotes the benefits of people supported receiving treatment while remaining in and being included in their home communities. We understand the need for people to continue to remain connected to their home communities and we are committed to ongoing collaboration with the person and their circle of supports throughout their treatment journey.
To ensure we are continually providing the best supports possible, Bethesda’s Community Response Program engaged the services of community expert Dr. Valdeep Saini, BCBA-D to review treatment effectiveness and reduce treatment relapse.
Dr. Saini provided consultative services to inform objective criteria that allows the Community Response Program team to determine which pathways would be best for people based on clinical information. Additionally, Dr. Saini provided training to the Behaviour Therapists and Intensive Treatment Program team on how to proactively target reducing treatment relapse through program changes. A clear guideline was developed outlining how to approach treatment goals and an effective discharge plan through proactive training.
Based on this review, Bethesda continues to improve upon the Community Response Program by:
• Strengthening capacity within the community across all phases of treatment and at all levels through educational and hands-on training approaches
• Increasing program response times to community needs through the creation of clear program pathways along with clearly defined timelines of service
• Implementing clinically informed decisions for appropriate pathways for each person referred
• Strengthening treatment relationships with discharge organizations / caretakers to ensure continuous engagement; resulting in smoother transitions back to the person’s community
• Structured clinical approach to generalization and maintenance of programming to reduce the likelihood of treatment relapse
• Implementation of different approaches to services, such as:
• Targeted skill building groups
• Holistic supports, including the integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Embedding “glimpses of hope” throughout the intake process
• Redefining meaningful supports from the lens of the caregiver/ person supported rather than organization/clinician
• Assisting with transitioning to a new residence
“Melissa invited myself and Christina to celebrate her 5 years living at community living at the Keg last night! Melissa also invited her roommates upstairs, past workers from [Community Living] and some of her current workers as well. Not pictured was her Mom and sister that also attended this celebration. Melissa is doing fantastic and has some amazing goals for 2024, including going to Bobcaygeon for a week vacation!
I wanted to share so we can all celebrate Melissa’s success and be proud of how far she has come since her admittance into [the Community Response Program].”
– Katherine Sanderson, Behaviour Resource Consultant
Celebrating 40 years of the Community Response Program
Speech Language Pathology
In early 2021, Bethesda’s Speech-Language Pathologists implemented a new service delivery model. Understanding the profound role that caregivers play in the longterm success of speech and language services, caregivers are asked to attend a Speech-Language Pathology Orientation session to learn about the scope of services provided at Bethesda and the research that supports caregiver involvement.
The orientation sessions have allowed caregivers to gain a better understanding of our services before entering into them and helped to ensure that that the people supported are meeting with the right clinician at the right time –sometimes an alternative service is better suited.
As with all of Bethesda’s supports and services, the Speech-Language Pathology team works collaboratively with the person supported and their caregivers to learn of their goals and develop a service plan. Service plans can look different for each person and yet have some common needs. A number of virtual therapy groups and workshops have been developed to address these needs, where suitable. This has increased the team’s ability to support more people, devote more time to individual services, where needed, build caregivers capacity, and significantly reduce the time to access services from 3 years in 2022 to 3 months in 2024.
One person supported, A.D., who was seeking support with creating a communication app to use when verbal communication became too difficult was able to meet with a Speech-Language Pathologist for a brief number of sessions to develop the communication app together. A.D. shares:
“My word this [app] has changed my life for the better, I was so afraid about how it would be received, but unfortunately yesterday I had a seizure, so staff held my phone up and I was able to tell them all done and I hurt, and out of chair please.
Thank you for helping me find my voice.”
During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, two new groups and workshops were added to the team’s services to support gaps that were observed across referrals.
The first is an ECHO Workshop based on growing literature in the field on echolalia (repetition) and its function as communication.
The second is a Social Butterflies group and companion Social Communication Workshop for caregivers, both of which encourage the self-exploration of social and sensory preferences through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. We have been overwhelmed with the positive responses to these new services, and we look forward to continuing to find new ways to support people.
Bethesda was fortunate to receive additional funds from the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services to provide additional psychology services to assist people with accessing needed services. While recruitment for specialized clinical positions has proven to be a barrier in providing some supports, we have found efficiencies through program transformations to provide more timely supports in other areas.
Bethesda’s Highlights Adult Services
Family Picnic
This year, after a long four year pause, we were able to resume hosting our Annual Family Picnic on September 10, 2023. This event is open to all people supported through Adult Services and their families or caregivers. On this beautiful summer’s day, with the sun shining, a record number of 350 people attended the picnic to enjoy music by the Marty Allen Band, a barbecue by Niagara’s Ole Tyme BBQ, popcorn served by our wonderful volunteers, and an opportunity to connect and laugh with others.
Testimonials
“I really liked the food and dessert. I liked that I got to spend time with my family while dancing and listening to the band.”
-Melinda
“I liked the food and dessert. I also really enjoyed the band and going out with my staff and seeing everyone”
-Carmel
“Getting together with friends and seeing a lot of people was good. The food was tasty; I had two sausages and a burger. I am thankful for the people who organized the Family picnic.”
-Charlie
“My name is David Piva. I have lived at Bethesda for many years and one of my favorite yearly events is the annual family picnic. The family picnic gives me something to look forward to and makes me feel happy to see loved ones together. I have lots of favorite memories with my mom at the picnic eating the delicious food that they have such as: hamburgers, hotdogs, and bags of chips. Making conversation with friends and family is very important to me and the family picnic lets me do that. Every year my staff who care for me support me during this time and they help me make good choices. I have a lot of very cherished memories however the most favorite is getting to sing karaoke in front of my peers. There is always a good variety of music to dance to and enjoy. I love the family picnic and look forward to it every year. Family is extremely important to me and this gives me that chance to see them with the support of my staff.”
-David Piva
Camp Crossroads
In 2023-2024, 58 people supported, along with 60 staff, were welcomed by Camp Crossroads in Gravenhurst for Bethesda’s annual trip. This year included people attending Camp Crossroads for their first time and saw many new friendship connections made.
Camp Crossroads is a fun-filled week with boat rides, tubing, karaoke, BINGO, tractor rides, archery, crafts, tie dye, tuck shop, walks, scavenger hunts, swimming, fishing, and more! For those that wanted to enjoy a calmer week, they would sit on the deck overlooking the beautiful Muskoka water.
A traditional highlight of the week is a visit from the local volunteer fire departments. The fire departments bring their trucks and full gear, providing the people supported an opportunity to sit in the truck and spray the fire hoses.
Testimonials
““It was a pleasure and joy to have the gang from Bethesda here at Camp Crossroads again this past fall. The biggest memory for me and biggest impact on my life was seeing the pure joy on all the guests faces while they were experiencing camp. Whether they were enjoying a meal, listening to music in the dining hall, browsing the tuck shop, or even standing in line waiting for their turn to do the next activity, they enjoyed it all, some with the biggest belly laughs we’ve ever heard!
I saw joy on the Camp staff’s faces when they were driving the tractor or boat, or serving food at every meal. The busyness and action this group brings with them is a blessing to all of us at camp and we look forward to it every year.”
“ I love camp. I hang out with friends and have lots of fun. I get to have camp fires and make smores.”
“I go to camp every year. I like the games and singing. I see my friends. My favorite is the fire fighters when they come.”
Gardening Program
In the early 1800s, Dr. Benjamin Rush noticed that gardening could make people feel happier and healthier (Richmond & Dunn, 2023). Gardening programs, known as horticultural therapy, are available in many places like hospitals, rehab centres, and homes. These programs keep track of how people or groups benefit from them.
A horticultural therapy program includes:
• Getting participants involved in gardening activities.
• Participants having a recognized need for help due to a disability, illness, or life situation.
• A registered horticultural therapist guiding the activity.
• The participation being part of a planned treatment, rehab, or job training.
Gardening therapy methods are used to help participants learn new skills or get back ones they’ve lost. This type of therapy can boost memory, thinking abilities, starting tasks, language skills, and socializing. In physical rehab, gardening therapy can make muscles stronger and enhance coordination, balance, and stamina.
In job training for gardening, people learn to work on their own, solve problems, and follow instructions. (American Horticulture Therapy Association, https://ahta.memberclicks.net/)
People who join the gardening program at Bethesda talked about how much they enjoyed it and how it made them feel good.
One person said they liked doing gardening tasks because it made them feel independent. They also enjoyed being on the gardening team and working with friends. Studies show that gardening helps people connect with others and feel accomplished (Siu, Kam & Mok, 2020).
Another person said the gardening program lets them be creative and gives them new ideas. Both people said being outside helps them relax, and watching plants grow inspires them. A recent study looked at how gardening helps people with mental illness. It found that gardening improved mental wellbeing, and participants felt less stressed and anxious.
Besides making people happier and more creative, and taking care of themselves, Bethesda’s gardeners have donated hundreds of pounds of vegetables to the community!
Testimonials
“I like getting outside. It is a stress reliever. I liked loading the produce for donation.”
- Derek
“I liked growing eggplant. I like watering the plants. I like helping take the vegetables to Community Care.”
- Dustin
“The vegetable gardens that [Bethesda] grew in support of Community Care of West Niagara, and the low-income individuals we serve, was very impactful! Due to the rising cost of food, access to healthy home-grown perishables is something we and our clients are very grateful for. The group at Bethesda were able to give us consistent amounts of fresh produce so that nothing went to waste. Over the course of this past summer, they donated 254 lbs. of fresh vegetables! Community Care of West Niagara is grateful for the ongoing support of Bethesda, as their contributions and involvement truly help us ‘Grow Our Community Beyond Hunger.’”
- Lynda O’Donnell
Community Care of West Niagara
“I like the garlic and how it grew after the rain. I like the new raised beds because the garden is bigger. I liked pulling out the corn and making a fall arrangement. I like watering the plants and using the water tank. I like the whole thing about garden club. My favorite is the harvest.”
- Angelo
Familyhome
Established in 1984 under the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, the Familyhome program (LifeShare) creates a homelike environment for adults with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities.
It aims to provide a sense of family, safety, continuity, and security. Despite changes in its name, the program has consistently focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities.
Familyhome is a unique initiative allowing Ontario families, known as home providers, to welcome adults with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities into their homes. Being a home provider is more than offering physical shelter; it involves providing a place in one’s heart and home, supporting people to live and contribute as valued members of a caring family.
Prospective Familyhome Providers go through a thorough screening process, including references, police checks, health and fire home inspections, and extensive interviews. This ensures a safe and nurturing environment for people with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities.
Familyhome Providers receive 24-hour on-call support from dedicated Community Support Managers, offering assistance whenever needed. The program also provides additional support through a structured Day Program from Monday to Friday, allowing people supported to participate in meaningful activities. Recognizing the importance of self-care and rejuvenation, Familyhome Providers are granted monthly respite and vacation time each year.
The Familyhome program goes beyond being a housing initiative; it represents a holistic approach to building lives, promoting inclusivity, and creating supportive environments where people with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities can thrive as active and valued members of a caring community.
At the core of the program’s philosophy is the promotion of personal choice, decisionmaking, independence, and active community participation.
Testimonials
“I get a lot of freedom and as much help as I need.”
- Austen J Person Supported
“I had never heard of it before [Familyhome] it changed my life. I feel better; I’m getting better at things now with their support [Providers]”
- William Y Person Supported
With the needs of the people we support always at the forefront of our decision-making, we consider the compatibility of people who will be staying together i.e. Respite. This can sometimes place a limit on the number of people supported at a given time to ensure that they receive the best support and experience while at Bethesda. This is the same within our Familyhome program. We take care in ensuring that a Familyhome provider and a person supported are the best match. While leading to long term, positive outcomes, this can delay the process in filling vacancies.
Bethesda’s Highlights
Children
and Youth Services
Caregiver Appreciation Night
Thanks to the generous donations from Amici’s Banquet Hall and the Niagara College Culinary Program, Children and Youth Services hosted a heartwarming event called “Caregivers Appreciation Night” to honour the caregivers at Bethesda.
The evening was filled with gratitude and joy as we indulged in a delightful dinner. We captured unforgettable moments through photographs that will be cherished for years to come and enjoyed expressing our creativity at the arts and crafts table.
Throughout the evening, we learned the true impact that one event and recognition can have on people.
Testimonial
Laura-Jane, a parent of a child supported by Bethesda reflects on the evening:
“I have not had a meal that was that delicious in years and this includes business dinners, restaurant meals, etc. Everything about the evening was so obviously intentionally and carefully planned out - it truly showed how much we were valued for being who we are. Here are the two things about the Caregiver Dinner that were absolute game-changers for me: we’ll call 1) glimpsing and 2) match-making.
What, pray tell is “glimpsing”? Well, by having kids and adult clients with ASD working at the event, I was able to catch a glimpse of my daughter playing a functional role in society. I was able to envision her in a volunteer position or maybe even a paying job. I was able to glimpse a vision of her being proud of herself as she helped other people and completed tasks effectively. That was something no other organization has given me yet. Other groups may have highlighted my daughter’s potential, but none have, though their own programming and client-based, given me an idea of what a non-verbal person who has ASD could look like when they are “doing a job”. It was the best gift I got this Christmas.
The other thing that we truly unique to Bethesda’s event was “‘match-making”.
As a single parent (not a co-parent - I adopted my daughter as a single mother), dinner events can be daunting. I often say it is like Noah’s Ark and I’m a Betta fish. However, in their insightful forethought, Bethesda put their caregivers at a table with people they would be able to connect with. In my case, this has led me to forming a very special friendship with someone who was sitting beside me. I sat with parents who have a son who is not only very close to my daughter in age, but also in severity and diversity of needs. I can’t believe it’s been less than two months since I was seated at the table for the first time with them. Our families have been out to dinner, and we have begun doing activities together and are talking about getting our kids together for activities. For once, we can take our kids out and not feel alone when people stare at the happy, but loud/obvious stimming. We can talk about our thoughts and feelings without “softening” them for our “normal parent friends”. For me, who had moved to the Niagara region just before I adopted my daughter, the Caregiver Dinner has resulted in me having my first new friend in the region since I moved her in 2018. That has done more for reducing the isolation I feel than any other agency or funding program has achieved.”
Family Events (Foundational Family Services)
Bethesda’s Children and Youth Services offers Foundational Family Services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) with a broad range of essential supports and services to children, youth and their families. These services are designed to strengthen a family’s capacity to support the learning and development of their child.
Foundational Services are free and immediately available to families registered with the OAP.
Some of the services provided in 2023-2024 included:
Family Nights: an opportunity for caregivers to connect and enjoy dinner together while their children, including siblings, got to interact through a range of fun activities such as a bouncy castle, the playground, Lego, and arts and crafts.
An incredible 73 different service options and family activities were provided over the summer! See Bethesda’s Children and Youth Services Strategic Update for more information.
Children and Youth Services
Friday Family Fun Days:
Bethesda plans community activities for families to enjoy with support from the Children and Youth Services team.
Playtown Niagara: The creative rooms, facilitate imaginative interactive play, relationship building, intellectual and physical growth and tons of fun. Multiple playrooms and themes are included, such as an auto shop, theatre, diner, hair salon, space shuttle, animal hospital and ice cream truck!
Swimming at Port Dalhousie Outdoor Pool:
Families enjoyed splashing and jumping in the wading pool with their younger swimmers, and diving and swimming in the 25-metre pool with diving board with their older more confident swimmers.
Bowling at Play-Mor Bowling: This venue was perfect for first-time bowlers with bowling assists and gutter bumpers. Families were able to bowl together in a safe environment with other families.
Movie Theatre: A Landmark Movie Theatre was rented out exclusively for Bethesda families on opening day of Toopy and Binoo The Movie. Many of the families who attended shared that this was the first time they had taken their children to the movie theatre and it was a success! Laughter and claps were heard throughout the show. Applause rang out when Binoo finally found his beloved Patchy Patch! The safe space allowed for children to stand up and move around as needed for movement breaks.
Back to School Safety Carnival:
A perfect celebration for the end of the summer and to prepare children for back to school. Children and youth were able to climb aboard a full sized school bus, interact with police officers and firefighters and explore their emergency vehicles. The Niagara Falls Public Library provided button making, crafts and books for children to take home. Children enjoyed jumping and sliding in the large inflatable Marshall Bouncy Activity Centre and dunking their favourite family members and staff in the dunk tank! Goat petting, face painting, popcorn and so much more was enjoyed at the safety carnival.
Balls Falls Bonfire Sing-a-Long:
Families enjoyed an evening around a campfire sing-a-long under the stars and crafts inside the Balls Falls Barn.
December Holiday Photo Sessions:
Families were thrilled to capture beautiful portraits in a setting that felt relaxed and familiar, some even saying it was the best photo experience their family has ever had! They expressed a comfort and confidence in having photos taken at Bethesda, knowing that their unique needs would be understood and accommodated. Working with each family was an absolute joy, the genuine smiles and laughter shared during these sessions were heartwarming and the happiness and connection radiating from each portrait is truly priceless. These photos are memories our families will cherish for a lifetime.
Testimonial
What is Bethesda?
Bethesda is our home away from home. It’s our safe place. It’s our advocate. It’s our shoulder to cry on when in need and our cheerleader when we succeed. It’s our strength when we feel weak.
It’s full of goals and achievements. It’s 24/7 care. It’s workshops and classes. It’s patience and understanding. It’s friendship and teamwork. It’s love and support. It’s acceptance. It’s judgement free. Most of all it’s unconditional.
I cannot thank Bethesda enough for being that place we can lean on to guide and support us through life. Bethesda is family. Thank you
– Nik Liz Social Media Testimonial
Urgent Response Services
Children and youth with Autism can sometimes engage in high-risk behaviours and may be more vulnerable to harm themselves or others. Parents/caregivers and community partners can make a referral for Urgent Response Services (URS) to access services and supports to help prevent further escalation of risk of harm to self, others and/or property.
Contact Brant plays a central role in getting families the help they need by conducting initial screening to determine eligibility and helping eligible families connect with the services they need. Contact Brant contracts Bethesda to provide multi-disciplinary Clinical and Respite Urgent Response Services for families in the Niagara region.
Families can access up to 12 weeks of service that can include:
Applied Behaviour Analysis - Behaviour Therapists (BT) work closely with families to develop behaviour intervention plans tailored to the child/youth’s specific needs. They focus on coaching caregiver(s) to use the strategies to teach their child or youth new, appropriate behaviours (i.e. functional communication, coping strategies) in order to help decrease the challenging behaviour. The BT provides direct, weekly support to the family.
“The urgent response service allows us to intervene quickly, preventing crises and promoting positive outcomes. We collaborate closely with families, tailoring strategies to their unique situations.”
– Sara, Behaviour Therapist
Occupational Therapy- Occupational Therapists (OT) address sensory and motor challenges, helping children and youth develop essential life skills. An OT provides consultative support to the family and URS team members to address sensory challenges relating to the URS target behaviour.
Speech and Language Therapy - Communication is key, and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) assist children in improving their communication abilities. The SLP provides consultative support to the family and URS team members to address communication challenges relating to the URS target behaviour.
“Communication unlocks doors. We work on expressive and receptive language skills, fostering connections between children and their loved ones.”
– Mimi, Speech-Language Pathologist
Mental Health and Wellness Clinicians- Emotional well-being is prioritized, and mental health specialists provide guidance and coping strategies. Our URS team includes Social Workers and Psychotherapists. They may provide consultation support to the family and URS team members as well as 1:1 support to the child/youth in relation to the URS target behaviour.
“Being a part of the Urgent Response Services team at Bethesda is such a unique experience, because it provides space to integrate diverse perspectives, disciplines and strategies towards building functional solutions for short-term support, as well as fostering resilience and independence for long-term success in the children, youth, and families who come through the program.”
–
Allison Baxter, Social Worker
Therapeutic Respite Services- Therapeutic Respite Workers offer a break for caregivers in a safe environment. Our URS team works with the Therapeutic Respite team to offer meaningful, goal-oriented service.
“Amazing therapists from Bethesda... they really listened to our concerns and worked well with my child. They provided useful strategies for us. We also liked a combination of virtual and in-person since we live rural.”
– Caregiver Testimonial
Mental Health and Wellness Services
The Mental Health and Wellness team is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for children, youth and their families. Our clinicians recognize that each child/ youth is unique. Their comprehensive approach integrates specialized therapies, family support, and educational collaboration to address the family’s individual needs. Our aim is to empower children/youth to navigate their world with greater confidence and resilience, while also providing families with the tools and resources they need to thrive together. By focusing on holistic well-being and personalized care, we strive to create positive, lasting impacts on the lives of those we serve.
During childhood, a person’s brain develops at an exponential rate. Their behaviours and emotions are constantly changing to try and keep up. Even in the most positive of circumstances, children will experience the full range of emotions at the drop of a hat – happy, sad, stressed, anxious, angry, agitation, and more – seemingly on a daily or even hourly basis.
This experience of strong emotions in rapid succession can be a regular part of growing up. But sometimes, a child’s feelings can develop into more significant mental health challenges impacting a person’s ability to navigate daily living.
Diagnoses such as Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Personality Disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other mood or psychological disorders can begin in childhood and cause additional challenges and difficulties for the children they are affecting.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a substantially higher likelihood of developing a co-morbid (co-occurring) mental health disorder than a person who does not have ASD.
There are trends in research that suggest people with Autism often struggle with concepts of self, how they view themselves, and where they fit in the world; they may also be more susceptible to depression or anxiety. The general thought is that people with ASD will experience a collection of daily stressors and challenges throughout their life that neurotypical people may not experience to the same degree.
This can lead to more negative emotions, which subsequently lead to more stressors, and the cycle will perpetuate itself, leading to more significant mental health challenges.
In our experience, people with ASD struggle with navigating a world that is often set up to support neurotypical people, which can be very distressing and confusing. This in turn, seems to lead to the increased likelihood of mental health concerns.
“Growing up autistic in a non-autistic society presents itself with many daily hassles, many kinds of acute traumas, or more generally, experiences of stigmatization and marginalization.”
– Dr. Jonathan Weiss, York University
There are many ways to support your child if they struggle with mental health. First, seeing your family doctor or pediatrician to discuss any mental health concerns is always recommended. Your doctor may be able to provide a formal diagnosis if required (or refer to a child psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician who can also make the diagnosis if needed).
These doctors can recommend treatments, refer to supports and services, and prescribe medication if needed and desired. That being said, a formal diagnosis of a mental health disorder is not required for someone to access many mental health services. For example, at Bethesda, we offer Social Work Counselling and Psychotherapy services to people regardless of formal diagnosis and without a medical referral.
We understand the barriers to accessing mental health services within the community. If you are waiting for services or are unsure where to begin, there are strategies you can utilize at home to help your child (and yourself) navigate these concerns.
Below are some general strategies that are helpful:
Behavioural Activation
The opposite of depression is not happiness. The opposite of depression is action. When we are depressed, all we want to do is do nothing. There is often a lack of energy, a lack of motivation, and a lack of getting enjoyment out of things we used to enjoy.
That is where Behavioural Activation comes into play. We often wait to feel motivated or better before we set out to do something. When we are depressed, we no longer feel motivated to do the things that bring us joy, so we do not do them. This perpetuates the low feelings of depression because we are not getting those pleasant ‘happy hormones’ like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins when we do the activities that bring us joy.
Using Behavioural Activation, we activate first, even before we have the motivation or feeling of wanting to do something, so that our brain starts creating those ‘happy hormones’, giving us a natural boost to our mood and emotions. You can engage in Behavioural Activation by setting a schedule or routine each day that incorporates as many pleasurable or fun activities into your day as possible.
Grounding Exercises
Grounding can be best explained by thinking of a ship in the ocean during the middle of a storm. You have two options: either get tossed around the storm or drop an anchor and stabilize the ship while the storm passes. Grounding yourself can be understood as using an anchor to stabilize yourself in a crisis. Below are two different forms of grounding that you can incorporate when experiencing intense emotions.
Cognitive Grounding
List as many colours as you can think of, animals, movie/show titles, sports teams, TV characters, countries, or anything that your child is interested in or would know a lot about. They can either write this down or vocalize it.
Physical Exercises
Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and releasing muscle groups. You can start by tensing and relaxing the muscles in your toes and work through each muscle group in your body until you reach your head and neck.
For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Testimonial
“Becoming a Bethesda family was the best decision we made to support our daughter. The benefits were immediate. Our Service Coordinator established an action plan that included programming for our entire family and assistance completing the Ontario Autism registration, federal tax credit forms, registered disability savings plan set-up and applying for additional support services.”
– Joy Janzen
Parent of a teenage daughter with Autism
Children and Youth Supported
Bethesda Foundation Inc.
Website Home Video (Ascendent)
Bethesda Foundation Inc. exists so that we may further our Mission in supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to live their best lives. With the support of our donors, we were able to:
Crisis Support
Pilot a Dual Diagnosis Crisis Worker position to support people with intellectual and / or developmental disabilities for a year.
Mental health supports were provided not only to assist people in crises, but post-crisis and, most importantly, to prevent crisis.
These mental health supports were extended beyond the people experiencing crises to provide supports to their families and caregivers who often feel overwhelmed and are unsure how best to support their loved one. Resources and partnerships were developed to ensure a holistic approach and community education.
Testimonials
“Having someone to talk to that understands and cares makes a big difference.”
“Having someone with experience and knowledge has been invaluable.”
35 people supported
PECS®perts Research
Complete the final year of the research project PECS®perts. PECS®perts is a community integrated research collaborative between Bethesda, Brock University, and Pyramid Educational Consultants, with York University involved in related evaluation and research activities. The research is focused on developing efficient and effective caregiver and facilitator training of the Picture Exchange System (PECS®). PECS® is an evidencebased augmentative and alternative communication system for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This final year of the research was expanded to support 27 families across the regions of Niagara, Brantford, Hamilton, Haldimand, Norfolk, and Six Nations, in addition to families in other parts of the province accessing via telehealth.
The last stage of this research was split into three phases, the research reviewed a Foundational Service Model (5 weeks), a 12 week service model, and the findings are currently being evaluated.
The collaborative research of PECS®perts has global reach, with the latest presentation being in New Orleans at the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts Annual Convention.
We look forward to sharing the results of this innovative research and our next steps.
12 families completed the 5-week model
19 families enrolled in the 12-week model
12 facilitators trained
6 new community partnerships
Peer Support
Create a Peer Support Facilitation Program through our Adult Clinical Services. Peer facilitators are provided training, onboarding and the opportunity to develop their leadership skills while assisting their peers.
This program has a tremendous impact on people, providing them an opportunity to gather and learn from those with similar experiences to them, build people’s confidence and abilities, and provide a sense of self-worth.
A reduction in the number of times people access emergency services has even been seen.
The peer facilitators are paid for their time, providing them not only with an opportunity to build their resumes but with income as well.
40 people supported
8 Peer Facilitators
Testimonials
“I have noticed a changed in my confidence, my ability to regulate, my mood, the routine … Saturday Social provides, the sense of community, sense of belonging, a sense of purpose… I could go on and on about the importance and impact that facilitating has had on me personally.
-Participant
“I look forward to it a lot. I get to see my friends and talk with them. I like to facilitate.”
-David H Peer Facilitator
Thank you to our incredible donors who supported Bethesda’s Foundation in 2023-2024
$30,001 to $50,000
• The Estate of Doris Norma Emerson
• Tim Horton Advertising and Promotion Fund (Canada) Inc.
$10,001 to $30,000
• Andy Koschok Memorial Niagara Region Golf Tournament
• Wise Guys Charity Fund
• William Birchall Foundation
$1,001 to $10,000
• Bayview Flowers Ltd.
• Robert and Judy Mansfield
• Florence Molnar
• C. R. Smith Financial Services Inc.
• Crawford Smith & Swallow
• Stevenson Sprinkler and Fire Protection
• Quartek Group Inc.
• AMS Parents Guild
• Hopkins IDA
• Mountainview Homes (Niagara) Ltd.
• Doug Peters
• Dave Klassen
• Canada Life
• Jody Beamer
• Go Easy Care
• Cheryl Tyndall
• Jacques Boulianne
• Michael’s Carpet and Flooring (Niagara) Ltd.
• Arie DeHaan
• Coby VanderZwaag
• Terry Hinan
• Alice L Murray
• Beth Vanstaalduinen
• Brenda Hale
• Advantage Flooring
• Meridian Credit Union Limited
• Many Seeds
• Paul McGowan
• My Tribute Gift
• William R. Jackson
• Marlene Moretti
• Howard Peters
• Cara Feldman
• Heidi Jackson
• McMillan Drainage Solultions Inc.
• EDPRO Energy Group
• Marlon Messam
• Hank Unrau
• Marian Loewen
• Andrew Vitaterna
• Liz Froese
• Jenna MacPherson
• Joyce Nickel
• Brian Pellow
• Scott Swallow
$1,000 and under
• Angela Casciato
• Mary Smith
• Brian Herten-Greaven
• Steve Gilliam
• Bird’s Moving & Storage
• Thomas Whitelaw
• Anonymous
• Claire Masters
• Linda Reid
• Enrica Monaco
• Jeannette Hoeksema
• James Bradley
• Clarence & Ruth Braun
• Glenys Matthews
• Andrew Staller
• Donna Baker
• Kenneth Durksen
• Marilyn Hoadley
• Ernie Koop
• Angie and Gary Talosi
• Susan and David Forgeron
• Frank Pravitz
• Mary Tennant
• Roger Unruh
• Janet Mairs
• Mary Lou Tanner
• Althorp Montessori School Inc.
• Richard Wiebe
• Kirby and Linda Warkentin
• Mary James
• Nina Bukovec
• Margaret McCarthy
• Liboria Dabramo
• David Vernon
• Janette Adams
• Gillian Dunkley
• Carole-Ann (Cae) Kunselman
• Cathie Newcombe
• Joe and Marg Pirosko and family
• Hans Schnack
• Angelo Pizzi
• Marjorie Rossetto
• Stephanie Wilton-Duncan
• Tracy Drynam
• Diane Alexandre
• Cecilia Walsh
• Thomas Bak
• Linda Bell
• Terrie and Timothy Grawley
• Paul & Willie Pattison
• Julie Popovich
• Anne Marie White
• Pat Whitney
• Roberto and Christine Costantini
• Marsilio and Sharron Ferretti
• Armand and Claudette Boudreau
• Gerald and Lucia Lapine
• Patricia Joan Lapp
• Carla Bianco
• Debra Hamilton
• John and Elizabeth Burtch
• Roma Zeoli
• Mario and Victoria Grano
• Marcella D’Abramo
• Jacqueline Morris
In September 2023, Bethesda held its Summer Breeze Social and raised more than $42,000 to assist 24 people and their families by accessing their psychological assessments sooner than anticipated.
Psychological assessments can be looked at as the key to accessing specialized services for children, youth and adults to live their best lives.
This year, we are doing things a little differently. We loved gathering once a year to celebrate with our community and raise funds in support of people. However, this did not provide us with opportunities to connect with our community throughout the year. We want to build and strengthen our relationships across the community. You will see Bethesda attending more community events, hosting financial planning seminars, and collaborating with more community partners.
If you would like to connect with Bethesda to learn more about how you can support Bethesda in its Mission, please contact our Manager, Community Relations Meaghan Erb merb@bethesdaservices.com 905.684.6918 ext. 378
Would you like to support us in furthering our Mission to empower people to live their best lives?
Community Partner Spotlight
C.R.Smith Financial
For 17 years, C.R. Smith Financial and Bethesda have worked together, proving that shared values and a commitment to community can create a powerful partnership. Magic happens when organizations with similar goals join forces. This collaboration exemplifies the power of aligning values and building trust.
Beyond Business: A Commitment to Community Engagement
Doug Smith, founder of C.R. Smith Financial, expresses immense pride in the long-standing partnership built with Bethesda. Doug says witnessing the positive impact on both the organizations and the community serves as a significant source of personal fulfillment.
“I think I’m most proud of the relationships with so many different people [at Bethesda] over the years… The relationships in that way are really important to me, and the support we’ve tried to give to watch Bethesda do better and better and better.”
Doug and the team at C.R. Smith Financial are no strangers to rolling up their sleeves for a good cause. Their commitment to giving back shines through their active involvement in community initiatives.
The Wise Guys Charity Fund, the volunteer driven brainchild of Doug and his father, plays a starring role in supporting local organizations like Bethesda with grants and fundraising events.
The entire C.R. Smith Financial team is a familiar face at community events and initiatives, including those hosted by Bethesda.
They joined in Bethesda’s World Autism Awareness Day ‘Wear and Share’ campaign, where Bethesda staff and the community donned blue shirts to show support and raise awareness for Autism. It’s clear that Doug and his crew believe in putting their money (and their time) where their heart is.
C.R. Smith Financial:
More Than Just Financial Services
C.R. Smith Financial offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower individuals and organizations alike. Beyond traditional insurance and financial products, the company provides employee benefits solutions, individual insurance plans, and financial planning guidance. This holistic approach ensures clients receive well-rounded support for their financial security.
Its services are designed to enhance the overall wellbeing of Bethesda’s employees. Employee benefit plans promote financial security and access to quality healthcare, aligning well with Bethesda’s mission of providing exceptional care. C.R. Smith Financial’s expertise helps Bethesda optimize benefit plan costs, ensuring more resources are directed towards critical programs and services.
A Blueprint for Success:
Partnering for a Greater Good
Doug extends valuable advice to other businesses considering partnerships with non-profit organizations. He emphasizes the importance of genuine collaboration, highlighting the positive impact it can have on both the community and a company’s reputation. Partnering with organizations like Bethesda allows businesses to give back while fostering a culture of social responsibility, ultimately strengthening their connection to the local community.
Giving back to organizations like Bethesda isn’t a business transaction; it’s an opportunity to contribute to a cause that directly impacts the lives of others. Doug encourages individuals
and businesses to actively research potential recipients of their support, emphasizing the importance of transparency within non-profit organizations.
“Do a little bit of research. Find out, in the organization you’re potentially considering supporting, how many people it touches across Niagara and where the money is going. And if you do that, it will be at Bethesda or another organization that’s doing it the right way. Those are the ones you’re going to want to support.”
By fostering a partnership built on shared values, trust, and a commitment to community, C.R. Smith Financial and Bethesda have created a model for successful collaboration. Their dedication to employee well-being and community engagement serves as an inspiration for businesses and organizations alike.
“I have supported Bethesda for over 15 years. The support and the services their team provides children and adults in Niagara with is second to none. Bethesda is a community of skilled, dedicated and caring individuals who assist those with special needs with a goal of improving their present and their future quality of life.” – Doug Smith, C.R. Smith
Financial Overview
Financial Highlights 2023-2024 (Unaudited)*
$3,392,295
$9,749,520**
$6,414,299
$22,023
$29,136,202
Adult Services
Adult Clinical Services
Children and Youth Services Administration Grants
*Audited Statements are available on Bethesda’s website.
**Children and Youth Services includes all revenue sources.
Funder Shout Out
It is through the support of our provincial government and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that we are able to achieve our Vision of inspiring, encouraging, and empowering children, youth, and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and their families, to live their best lives.
In addition to our regular funding, Bethesda was a recipient of the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services’ Ontario Autism Program Workforce Capacity Grant in 2023-2024.
This grant helped us to further our mission within Children and Youth Services through:
• Collaboration with Centre de santé communautaire and providing staff with French language training to increase our capacity to support the Francophone community
• Hiring of a Psychotherapist and a Communicative Disorders Assistant to increase our capacity to offer services for families in receipt of their Ontario Autism Program Core Clinical Funding.
• Contracted clinical supervision services from a Board Certified Analyst at the Doctoral level to provide supervision and training for our team.
Bethesda’s Culture
People are at the heart of Bethesda - those we support, our staff, and our volunteers. We believe that investing in our staff through professional development and connection is the key to providing holistic, quality supports and services while remaining an employer of choice.
Developmental Support Worker Conference
In February and March of 2024, Bethesda held its first Developmental Support Worker Conference. An outstanding 120 Developmental Support Workers throughout Bethesda’s Adult Services attended across the two events. With a 95% satisfaction rate from participants, the goal of the Conference was to take time to reflect on experiences, develop new skills through Trauma Informed Care, strengthen supports through understanding the power of words, build staff resiliency, and fuel staff motivation.
Testimonials
“Moving! Motivating! Will definitely be looking at things through fresh eyes and more compassion. I will really be thinking and pondering about the kind of support I provide and how I can do better at the role I am in.”
“The activities help put things in perspective from a personal point of view. It helped me have an even deeper understanding of the challenges people with disabilities face every day.”
“It was good to have an opportunity to learn and grow with coworkers. I felt appreciated as a staff and value what was shared today.”
“Excellent day! can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with the rest of my team.”
“This conference I found to be very beneficial to me. The information provided was so useful and so true and needed to be heard. I will use this to improve the support I provide to the people I assist.”
Bethesda-Brock Leadership Training
In 2023-2024, Bethesda collaborated with Brock University to provide training to Bethesda’s Leadership team. 53 leaders from across the organization gathered at Brock University, to learn, connect, and collaborate.
Under the guidance of Randa MacNaughton, leadership reaffirmed and reenergized their collaboration skills and delved further into what it means to inspire through change with resiliency.
This year, the leadership team are taking those skills and applying them in the 2024-2025 BethesdaApplying Leadership Principles Training Series. More details will be shared on this in our next Annual Report!
Connection Events
Bethesda understands the importance of fostering connection and the correlation of this with staff morale. Throughout the year, opportunities are provided to staff, and of course, the people we support, to break away and connect in the fresh air. Our thanks to the Purple Perk Coffee Truck, Kool Jims Ice Cream Truck, and Niagara’s Ole Tyme BBQ for bringing the treats for our staff to enjoy.
In addition, staff came together to challenge each other to healthy lifestyles through an annual Pedometer Challenge and an 8-Week Challenge from 8weekchallenge.com
“Thank you for sharing your expertise and passion for living a health lifestyle. It is inspiring.”
“Thanks for making the challenge fun and inspirational!”
Testimonials
Based on the opportunities provided to staff to further their professional development and personal wellness, we were pleased to learn of their exceptional feedback when interviewed last fiscal year.
“So we work with a lot of littles, and I love little kids, honestly, they’re amazing. The progress since the start of the program this year in March to now, the kiddos come in and go to their cubbies. The first couple weeks the transition was a little difficult but now we don’t really have to prompt some of the kiddos as much. Now they just come running, go to their cubbies, take off their jackets and shoes. And just seeing that little progress right there is completely rewarding.”
“What’s been really empowering and really great is the fact that individuals and their care providers are saying thank you for being the ones that stay. I think that’s really important, that we’re the ones that stay involved and continue to provide support, demonstrating that we care.”
- Katrina Frausel, Behaviour Therapist Community Response Program
- Theresa Brown, ABA Interventionist Children and Youth Services
“I think being here for 39 years; I worked with people when they were in their 20’s. And now we are almost 40 years later and they are going into their senior years. So seeing growth, seeing change, seeing the milestones that we all experienced, I’ve had the blessing of being able to live those with people.”
- Shelley Mercer, Director Adult Services
“Some staff, I still remember their first interview, and I remember saying to myself, okay this person has got it, they’re going to be very successful here. 10, 15 years later they have been quite successful, they too have fallen in love with the organization, and it’s kind of neat because you get to see the staff we hired right out of school and they’ve kind of grown up with us. They get married, they start families of their own, and then 10, 15, you know, years later they’re saying to me you’re right you know Tracy, I did fall in love with the organization, this is the place for me.”
- Tracy Foisey, Manager Human Resources
“When you feel valued where you work, you know, you don’t just come to work and do the same thing over and over, you can be creative with your job and I like that piece.”
- Samantha Tullo Dual Diagnosis Justice Case Manager Adult Clinical Services
“Being at Bethesda there are a lot of chances to grow.”
- Eskinder Telahun Adult Services
Service Awards
Our staff are the backbone of the organization, and we are thankful for their compassionate care and dedication to Bethesda. In 2023-2024, the following staff and Board members reached milestones in their Bethesda journey - thank you for your ongoing commitment!
5 Years
Dhanesh Ajitha Ramesh Babu
Cidney Gauvreau
Sarah Schmidt
Kevin Stienstra
Gillian Black
Katie Falco
Larissa Hamilton
Claire Lovero
Brianna Jacobi
Dana Thompson
Angela Ethelston
Janine Cicci
Adam Isaak
Scott Leonard
Rebekah Leonard
Mallory Hendle
Rachael Koekoek
Nicolas Proulx
Ronnie Graham
Heather Francey
25 Years
Dennis Van Heusden
Dakota Labelle
Erika Eckersley
John Ndizihiwe
Skylar Sloggett
Erica Hough
Brittany Lucas
Vanja Demonja
Austin Beamer
Alannah Mason
Sarah Philbrick-Djerfi
15 Years
Kelly Thompson
Maria Howley
Jocelyn Mcnamara
Meredith Nelson
Corrin Oosterhoff
Doug Peters
Erica Sillanpaa
Rachel Reles-Toews
Julian Strazzella
30 Years
Michael Gilmore
Irene Hagar
Denise Comfort
Robert Larue
10 Years
Jessica Rodgers
Rosanne Forde
Kayla Volpatti
Travis Thompson
Lucas Hardy
Lauren Hetherington
Michael Powell
Jamie Recek
Jennifer Teal
20 Years
Christina Cramp
Hollie Ples
Carrie-Lynn House
Virginia Aube
Sarah Cronk
Margaret Lockhart
John Cousin
35 Years
Kelly McMillan
Are you interested in making a difference in people’s lives?
Connect with us to learn more.
Awards
Bethesda was honoured to be the recipients of the following awards in 2022-2023:
2024 Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers
2024 Canada’s Safest Employers Excellence Award
International Impact
With our commitment to supporting people, Bethesda seeks to further our Mission wherever possible to ensure we are positively impacting as many people as possible.
In 2023-2024, Bethesda renewed its commitment with Campden Grain and Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO) to donate a portion of our land that is zoned agricultural. Through this partnership, the land is used to grow crops that support the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a project known as Grow Hope Niagara.
Bethesda is a proud member of 1 World Foundation. 1 World Foundation is an international charitable organization comprised of volunteers from New York State, USA; and Ontario, Canada. The members share a common dedication to better the lives of people with developmental disabilities and assist the Turks and Caicos Islands in developing, consulting, and educating the government and organizations regarding developmental disabilities. Clinical Services are provided, as needed, to evaluate, assess and develop treatment plans in partnership with the local providers, families, and people involved. Ongoing remote follow up and consultation is provided, as well as periodic on site updates as needs change.
Education and training includes elements for both professionals and those with developmental disabilities. Providing and / or assisting with teaching strategies, curriculum consultations, supply acquisition, leadership, logistics, media, strategic planning, and more.
We are proud to further our Mission to support people through sharing our knowledge with other countries.
As an organization, it is an honour to be able to participate in work that has a global impact to support those in need.