We are thrilled to have you join us for the 2nd Canadian Pushing the Boundaries Conference: Disability, Inclusion, and Jewish Community, taking place at the Prosserman JCC in Toronto on May 5–6, 2025.

With over 60 speakers from across Canada, the U.S., and Israel, this conference promises to be a transformative experience. Together, we will explore innovative ideas, share personal and professional insights, and inspire action in the pursuit of disability inclusion.

Whether you’re an advocate, caregiver, community leader, academic, or someone with lived experience, your participation will contribute to the meaningful conversations and connections that drive change.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts, network with peers, and be part of shaping a more inclusive and empowered future for all.

We are committed to making the conference inclusive and accessible to everyone.

If you anticipate any barriers to attending, please contact the Pushing the Boundaries Conference Committee at PTB2@reena.org.

Tuesday, March 11 at 2:00 pm at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 

The National Ballet of Canada is pleased to present a Relaxed Performance of Swan Lake at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. This performance is designed to welcome the Disability Community into the National Ballet’s artistic space. Families and individuals who usually find access to the arts limited can enjoy a live ballet performance in a more approachable environment.  

This abbreviated performance will be approximately one hour in duration.  

The National Ballet offers tickets at a nominal price and is committed to creating an atmosphere where attendees feel comfortable and cared for such as quiet rooms, dimmed auditorium lighting, sound dampening headphones and audio description. Additionally, during the pre-performance introduction and welcome, there will be an American-Sign-Language (ASL) interpreter on stage. To prepare guests for their visit to the theatre, visual and video guides are available. 

Tickets are $25 for Adults and $15 for Children under the age of 13.  

The National Ballet is thrilled to invite ConnectAbility community members to an exclusive advance booking window which is open NOW before the public on sale on Tuesday, February 11.  

To ensure everyone feels comfortable and the number of people in attendance isn’t overwhelming for anyone, tickets for this event will be limited. Learn more about what you can expect from a relaxed performance

Important Travel Advisory:  

Due to construction of the Metrolinx Ontario Line, Queen Street is closed from Bay Street to Victoria Street, creating significant travel delays. 

Former Principal Dancer Jurgita Dronina and Harrison James with Artists of the Ballet in Swan Lake. Photo by Karolina Kuras. 

WHEN:  February 14th, 2025 | 9:30AM – 12:00pm
WHERE: Scarborough Civic Centre in the Council Chambers.

Open Dialogues provide a space to learn and gather knowledge of valuable information on topics that are specific to the needs of the vulnerable situations presented at the SPIDER/FOCUS situation tables.

Learning Topics:

1. Culturally Appropriate Crisis Supports
   – Presented by: TAIBU Community Health Centre
2. Developmental Disability Supports
   – Presented by: Lumenus
3. Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD)
   – Presented by: Toronto Employment & Social Services

The workshop events aim to:

• Increase awareness about situations impacting vulnerable Torontonians and the programs and services available.
• Build networks across the service system to create opportunities for operation and system level innovation.
• Engage with the partners at the SPIDER/FOCUS tables by providing knowledge on specific topics that will support service delivery in response to Acutely Elevated Risk situations presented to SPIDER and FOCUS.

Please note that registration numbers are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For any additional questions about the event, please email City of Toronto FOCUS and SPIDER Co-Chair Sophia Brown.

Family Service Toronto and Corbrook in partnership with FoodShare, are holding ongoing Community Food Markets on the third Thursday of every month in Scarborough.

What is a Community Market? (formerly Good Food Market)

Community Markets sell high quality, affordable fruits and vegetables.  These markets bring healthy produce to neighbourhoods where it might not otherwise be available, and where farmers’ markets are not viable because sales are too low to cover costs.   

The markets feature seasonal, local produce plus imported favourites in order to offer the greatest quality and cultural value to the neighbourhoods they serve.  

Why a Community Market?

Food markets can become amazing gathering places.  The goal of a successful market is not making a profit, but the relationship between selling affordable produce and the ability of a market to be a gathering place that people want to hang out in.

It also serves as a space in the community for information and resource sharing – email Elizabeth Irwin if your program/agency would like to host a table at an upcoming event.

Who can attend?

The market is open to everyone!

Corbrook and Family Service Toronto share a vision of building inclusive communities.

We envision our market serving as a gathering place for folks to connect, learn from each other, and thrive. 

Where and when is the market?

The next market is Thursday, January 16  from 12pm-4pm at Corbrook and Community Living Toronto’s social enterprise The Social Brew: 1236 Birchmount Rd. – see flyer attached for details. 

Please share the attached flyers widely with your networks and we hope to see you there!  

*If you are interested in learning more about FoodShare, click here: FoodShare – Food is a right

*To learn more about Community Markets and other community programming, click here: Good Food Markets – FoodShare

If you are interested in participating in future markets, email Elizabeth: elizabethir@familyservicetoronto.org