Access Newsletter - Summer Edition 2023

Meet the Community Support Team

Director of Community Development

905-294-4971 ext. 523

rsingarayer@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Kayla Slimkowich

Administrative Liaison

905-294-4971 ext. 385

kslimkowich@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Puja Jit

Community Support Coordinator

(English, Hindi, Punjabi & Urdu)

905-294-4971 ext. 640

pjit@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Crystie Lau

Community Support Coordinator (English, Cantonese, Mandarin)

905-294-4971 ext. 267

clau@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Winny Ho

Community Support Coordinator

(English, Cantonese, Mandarin)

905-294-4971 ext. 382

who@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Thaniyia Manohararajah

Community Support Coordinator (English, Tamil)

905-294-4971 ext. 703

tmano@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Parents/Caregivers Online Workshops June 2023

Youth/ Adults Online Workshops June 2023

To access full June calendar visit https://bit.ly/3lBNR5W

Meet the Marketplace and Learning Academy Team

Program Manager Marketplace

ndefreitas@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Community Support Worker Learning Academy

schiavelllo@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Karen Penton

Community Options Coordinator Marketplace

kpenton@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Dee Manikam

Community Options Coordinator Marketplace dee@communitylivingyorksouth.ca

Marketplace Summer 2023

Protecting yourself and others

Community Living York South’s team is excited to return to in person support of Market Place courses. All participants will be instructed to adhere the requirements set out in this documentation to ensure the health and safety for all staff and participants. In collaboration with our community partners Community Living York South will take these necessary steps and measure to assist in the prevention of COVID-19.

Face Covering

Staff and people supported are required to wear a medical mask. All facilitators will have a box of masks available in case participants need one. Mask should be replaced if damp/ soiled

Screening

All staff and participants are required to complete a covid-19 screening prior to attending each session.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

All surfaces that are touched and used by participants and staff will be cleaned and disinfected a minimum twice per course (before and after) each course with Cavi Wipes.

Hand Hygiene

All facilitators will arrive with 70% alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Face Covering

Staff and people supported are required to wear a medical mask. All facilitators will have a box of masks available in case participants need one. Mask should be replaced if damp/ soiled

Marketplace Summer 2023 (cont’)

Please note: MyCommunityHub will be upgrading to a new version. All new services starting September 2022 will be on the new version.

Family Initiatives

Parent operated programs are one of the strongest running groups, with parents taking the initiative to facilitate and launch new programs with the guidance of the Community Support Coordinators. Below you will find a list of programs in each area:

Thursday Night Entertainment Program (Ages 10+): Currently running virtual social activities every Thursday 7:00pm to 9:00pm. To register, contact Jude Farjami by calling 647-271-5487 or email j.farjami@gmail.com.

Special Dad’s Group: A social group for dads to engage in a variety of activities and discussions. The group meets virtually. To subscribe to their mailing list, visit specialdads.org.

Pink Ladies: This program is for young girls who want to have fun while working on self-esteem, encourage-age experiential learning, learning new life skills, creating friendships, community outings and so much more. Every Thursday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. To register, contact Julia Chiappetta at 647-460-2970 or juliachiappetta1@gmail.com

Amazing Girls Group: This group is for mature ladies to build up friendship, independence, and enhance social and life skills. Every Saturday from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. To register, contact Amy So at email iamamyso@gmail.com.

Adapted Skills Weekend Program: A program for Tamil youth and young adults to socialize and participate in Yoga and Art Camp; Craft. Every Wednesday Camp; Saturday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. To register, contact Sumathy Seran by calling 416-554-9253 or email Sumathy, sumathy@thetcsn.com.

Inclusive Education Program Parent Session: Group for parents to discuss and learn about inclusive education and various resources available in the community as well as to connect with other parents. To register, email Mika Chow at mjchow@sympatico.ca.

Children's Program: Children program is for children between the ages of 8-16 years old and focuses on developing social skills and involve children in various activities such as art & craft, games and physical activities. Every Saturday from 10:30am to 12:00pm. To register, contact Shehla Moeen at shehlamoeen@hotmail.com

Boys Social Group: This small group program is designed to build social skills of teenagers and young adults with intellectual disabilities to promote positive social relationships with their peers. Ages 16+ recommended. Outdoor In-Person Sessions & Virtual Sessions on Google Meets every Wednesday 6:00PM – 8:00PM . For more information contact: Danielching0@yahoo.ca OR 416 887 9744

Court of Appeal restores class status in Ontario developmental services lawsuit

The Canadian Press | May 5, 2023

Ontario’s top court has restored class action status to a lawsuit that alleges the province has placed people with developmental disabilities on unreasonable wait lists for government supports after they turn 18.

In a decision this week, Ontario’s Court of Appeal restored a motion judge’s order that found there was a strong enough case to allow the suit’s untested claims to proceed to trial as a class action.

The lawsuit, which accuses the province of harm-causing negligence, seeks $110 million in damages and asks for a declaration that the government has failed adults assessed as eligible for help but who have instead been placed on unreasonable wait lists.

Marc Leroux of Timmins, Ont., launched the suit in April 2017 on behalf of his then-19-year-old daughter, Briana Leroux, who court documents say is non-verbal and requires support services 24/7.

The original statement of claim alleged the teen had access to necessary support through one government department as a child, but that was “arbitrarily and unreasonably” discontinued after she turned 18.

It further alleged that she applied for support as an adult through a different department and was placed on a wait list, where she remained for at least a year and a half.

The suit alleges the province breached its duties to Leroux and other adults with developmental disabilities by failing to properly manage its wait lists, forcing Leroux’s relatives to assume her care at their own expense.

A divisional court ruling had found the lawsuit’s negligence claim was doomed to fail and that the province owed no duty of care to the plaintiff, but the Ontario Court of Appeal set that aside.

The appeal court also found the initial motion judge was right to rule that a class action in the case would be a preferable course of action to promote access to justice and meaningfully advance litigation for people with intellectual disabilities.

Our staff come to work daily to be there for the people we support. Their unwavering commitment to supporting people who have intellectual disabilities to stay well and have the essential supports they need during these unprecedented times is remarkable. We are in need of donations. Your donation will help to continue to keep our essential staff and the people we support well. We are welcoming donations of any kind.

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