• The Caregiver's Journey
    Aug 30 2024

    Welcome to "Community Chats," bringing you stories and insights from the heart of Community Living Toronto. From frontline champions, advocates, and volunteers to the people we support, their families and friends, together we explore the different experiences, celebrate success stories, share memorable moments, discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

    In this episode, we have a chat between Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, and Juanita Forde, Lead Steward of CUPE 2191. In this heartfelt episode, they dive into Juanita’s connection and journey with CLTO as a long-time employee, recognition for developmental support professionals and the DS sector, the importance of representing diverse experiences, the status of caregiving in the country and its challenges, and much more!

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Inclusive Education
    Aug 15 2024

    Welcome to "Community Chats," bringing you stories and insights from the heart of Community Living Toronto. From frontline champions, advocates, and volunteers to the people we support, their families and friends, together we explore the different experiences, celebrate success stories, share memorable moments, discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

    In this episode, we have a chat between Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, and David Lepofsky, lawyer, Chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee at Toronto District School Board, and member of Community Living Toronto's Patron's Council. Join us as we dive into David's advocacy efforts for including disability in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the challenges of navigating the school system, the critical role of individual education plans, and much more!

    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • Advocating For Inclusion
    Jul 30 2024

    Welcome to "Community Chats," bringing you stories and insights from the heart of Community Living Toronto. From frontline champions, advocates, and volunteers to the people we support, their families and friends, together we explore the different experiences, celebrate success stories, share memorable moments, discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

    In this episode, we have a chat with Lorraine Bradley and Joshua Splude, members of CLTO Influencers. Lorraine and Josh have a long-standing connection with Community Living Toronto. The work that they do not only brings them happiness and fulfills their lives, but also allows them to bring change to this world by advocating for the causes personal to them and making sure everyone belongs. As Lorraine said during the podcast, “Belonging is when everyone feels accepted and everybody is like family at Community Living.”

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • A Parent's Journey
    Jul 10 2024

    Welcome to "Community Chats," bringing you stories and insights from the heart of Community Living Toronto. From frontline champions, advocates, and volunteers to the people we support, their families and friends, together we explore the different experiences, celebrate success stories, share memorable moments, discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

    In this episode we have a chat with Jan Stewart, a highly regarded mental health and neurodiversity advocate, author and the recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award for her brutally honest memoir titled Hold on Tight: A Parent’s Journey Raising Children with Mental Illness. Jan’s memoir describes her emotional story parenting two children with multiple mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders.


    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • Advocating For Your Loved Ones
    Jul 10 2024

    Welcome to "Community Chats," bringing you stories and insights from the heart of Community Living Toronto. From frontline champions, advocates, and volunteers to the people we support, their families and friends, together we explore the different experiences, celebrate success stories, share memorable moments, discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

    In this episode we have a chat with Nadia Elkharadly, a long-time CLTO supporter, one of our 75th Anniversary Storytellers, and an advocate for her brother, Amir.

    Show more Show less
    25 mins
  • Empowering Through Community
    Jul 10 2024

    Welcome to "Community Chats," bringing you stories and insights from the heart of Community Living Toronto. From frontline champions, advocates, and volunteers to the people we support, their families and friends, together we explore the different experiences, celebrate success stories, share memorable moments, discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

    In this episode, we have a chat with Laura Parsonson, a proud parent, teacher, advocate, and member of Community Living Toronto’s Board of Directors, whose goal is to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have a chance to live, learn, work, and have fun in their local communities.

    Show more Show less
    34 mins