ConnectABILITY Homepage

Domestic Human Trafficking: Awakening 

WHEN: November 27 | 9:30-12:30

We’re going to discuss domestic human trafficking and its possible signs. Vulnerable people are at a very high risk of being trafficked. What does this mean for people who have a developmental disability? 

This is your opportunity to increase awareness so we can better identify and support victims and survivors of domestic human trafficking.

Space is limited. Contact Deanna Djos at ddjos@montagesupport.ca to register.

See flyer for more details

Fraud Protection CEC Speaker Series

Each month, Community Living Toronto’s Community Engagement Speaker Series highlights different topics of interest, providing education and information to individuals with disabilities, families, caregivers, and the community at large.

With the rising number of fraud and scams, it’s more important than ever to equip people with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves. This month, we are pleased to announce an insightful session on Fraud Protection, where our speakers from The Financial Empowerment & Wellbeing Program (YMCA Greater Toronto), will share valuable tips and strategies to safeguard yourself against fraudulent activities.

The event will take place via Microsoft Teams meeting on Wednesday, November 13th, from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. The webcast will include a Live Q&A!

For more information, or if there’s a topic you would like to hear more about, please email contactus@cltoronto.ca.

See flyer for more details

Winter Break Respite & ASD Social

Deadline is December 6, 2024

Come join our Winter Respite & Social Groups. Enjoy the holidays with Sunflower DS we are doing fun and creative activities for “ALL AGES”

All participants must be registered prior to attending, call the Day Program directly and schedule your intake or tour today. Fees will be determined, based on individuals, support needs.

All funding types accept

WHEN:
DEC. 23, 24, 27,28, 30 & 31
JAN 2- 4 2025

Hours:
Monday- Friday 9am- 3pm
Saturdays 10am- 3pm
Extended hours available upon request

Sunflowerrcs@gmail.com
Sunflowerrcs.com
416-289-2223
1970 Ellesmrere Road Un. 1

See flyer for more details

Community Food Market

Family Service Toronto and Corbrook in partnership with FoodShare, are hosting a Community Food Market on the third Thursday of every month in Scarborough.

Where and when is the market?

The next market is Thursday, November 21 from 1pm-6pm at Corbrook and Community Living Toronto’s social enterprise The Social Brew: 1236 Birchmount Rd. – see attached flyer for details.

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.  Each market uniquely reflects its community and is a vibrant and important gathering place, providing opportunities for neighbourhoods to meet, share information and to celebrate.   

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:elizabethir@familyservicetoronto.org

Who can attend?

The market is open to everyone! Corbrook and Family Service Toronto share a vision of building inclusive communities. We envision a market that serves as a gathering place for folks to connect and learn from each other.

See flyer for more details

Creative Options for Home [webcast]

WHEN: November 12, 2024 at 7pm

Creating and exploring options for home is one of the more difficult aspects of future planning for people with a disability. Many families have found creative and innovative ways to support their loved one in having a home of their own and one of their own choosing. Learn how families have implemented creative housing solutions.

Webcast will include:

  • An overview of the steps needed to develop a creative, individualized housing plan.
  • Personal stories from families who have implemented creative housing solutions.
  • An overview of the Developmental Services Ontario’s housing toolkits and housing navigators.

Speaker:

With over 30 years of experience in the area of Developmental Services, Kelly is looking to continue supporting agencies and families through the Transformation of services in their communities. The combination of her experience in community development and her formal education in business and social services have provided her with the skills to assist agencies in revising their service delivery models to support the changing needs of their consumers. 

In addition, Kelly’s extensive clinical knowledge in developmental services, dual diagnosis and autism have provided her with the skills to support individuals and families in the development and implementation of their person directed plans and individualized residential models.

TEENS & ADULTS INCLUSIVE ARTS-BASED WORKSHOP 

Specialized for individuals with diverse neurological & physical abilities. 

Join us this winter at Purple Carrots Drama Studio for FROST AND FIRE TALES, an imaginative workshop that blends the icy beauty of winter with the warmth of friendship and creativity. Designed for neurodiverse individuals (ages 4 – 8, 9 – 1 5, 1 6 + ), this program invites participants to dive into
winter storytelling, where frosty spirits and fiery friends embark on adventures filled with wonder and teamwork.

Ages 4-8

Sunday’s | 9am – 10am
January 12 – March 9
Location: Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. Toronto
Small Group Sizes: 6 Carrots : 2 Facilitators

Ages 16+

Sunday’s | 11am – 1pm
January 12 – March 9
Location: Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. Toronto
Small Group Sizes: 8 Carrots : 2 Facilitators

Ages 9 – 15

Saturday’s | 12:30 – 2:30
January 11 – March 8
Location: Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. Toronto
Small Group Sizes: 8 Carrots : 2 Facilitators

Ages 16+ [online]

Friday’s | 11am – 1pm
January 10 – March 7
Location: Online (Zoom)
Small Group Sizes: 6 Carrots : 1 Facilitator

Designed to improve self-awareness & social skills through drama & play, focusing on: self-confidence, teamwork, self-expression, friendship, and the Arts. 

ALL programs are eligible for SSAH and Passport Funding 

See flyers for more details
Youth and Kids
Teens and Adults

INFO@PURPLECARROTS.CA | 416-786-1391 | WWW.PURPLECARROTS.CA 

Guardianship Webinar for Parents

 Substitute Decision Making- Legal Guardianship for People with Disabilities 

Free virtual community workshop, open to the public. Facilitated by Lisa Wilder (OPGT), Namali Gamage (Goddard Gamage LLP) and Rosemary Masemann (PBO Triage Lawyer). 

This workshop is geared for: 

  • Parents and/or Guardians who are looking to explore and learn more about Legal Guardianship. 
  • Guardianship is a form of substitute decision making used when a person lacks legal capacity to make certain decisions. 
  • The speakers will explain more about gaining guardianship, next steps and resources. 

Join us to: 

  • Learn more about substitute decision making options for parents/guardians of children with disabilities. 
  • Highlight the different pathways to obtain guardianship in Ontario. 
  • Outline implications guardianship may have on clients and families. 

Date: Wednesday November 20, 2024 
Time: 6:00-7:30PM 

See flyer for more details

Developmental Services Council – Toronto

Developmental Services Council – Toronto (DS Council)

Developmental Services Council – Toronto (DS Council) is a voice for adults with developmental disabilities, their family members and community supporters.

An advisory group, we are a partner with the agencies funded by the Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services to deliver programs and services for adults with developmental disabilities.

We make recommendations to these partners from a client/consumer point of view. Most DS Council members are volunteers from the community:

  • Persons with developmental disabilities (self-advocates)
  • Families and caregivers of persons with developmental disabilities
  • Interested community members Council also includes representatives from the service provider agencies and Developmental Services Ontario (DSO).

We work on educating the general public, agencies, media, and government about disabilities so that they understand us better”.

https://youtu.be/7_HRLrSRSGI

Mission

  • Strengthen the voice of individuals with a developmental disability and their families and caregivers, by contributing to sector-wide planning and priority setting. 
  • Provide recommendations and advice on communication and outreach strategies. 
  • Gather information to identify service system gaps, issues and concerns. Work with our partners to address these.

Would you like to get involved?

We are always looking for people to get involved with DS Council – Toronto! 

DS Council – Toronto meets 9-12 times a year. Meetings take place downtown in the evening. Members may attend in person or virtually via Zoom or telephone. For members who attend in person, free parking is available. The meeting venue is TTC accessible and dinner is provided! 

Council meetings often include presentations by groups that support people with developmental disabilities and their families and caregivers. 

Help improve the quality of developmental services in Toronto and represent the voice and needs of this community! 

For more information, please contact DS Council – Toronto: 

DSCouncil.Toronto@gmail.com

Contact

Advocates for a Better Future

Mission

“We are a group of people from all walks of life who form a community circle of support where everyone feels comfortable and safe enough to share.

It’s a place for people with disabilities to meet new people, new friends and allies and talk about long-term solutions to issues that are important to us.

We work on educating the general public, agencies, media, and government about disabilities so that they understand us better”.

Meetings

Join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month on Zoom from 1pm-3pm!

2024 Meeting dates:

  • January 13
  • February 10
  • March 9
  • April 13
  • May11
  • June 8
  • July 13
  • August 10
  • September 14
  • October 19
  • November 9
  • December 14

We want to be a safe and supportive group. If there are barriers to you attending, let us know how we can help.

Contact

Guidelines

These Group Guidelines were made by the group, for the group. The Group Guidelines are here for you and for everyone else who comes to the group. When people follow these guidelines, Advocates for a Better Future is a place where everyone feels safe and respected.  

Each person is responsible for how they treat others. 

Everyone is expected to follow these guidelines. 

  • ABF is a SAFE and SUPPORTED space. Treat everyone how you want to be treated. Treat everyone with respect. 
  • No sexual harassment. Sexual harassment means making inappropriate sexual comments and touching without permission. 
  • Treat everyone as equals. No discrimination and bullying. Discrimination means treating someone bad because of gender, disability, race, sexuality, religion, etc. Bullying means having power over somebody physically, emotionally and mentally. 
  • Respect everyone’s culture, ethnicity and their native languages.
  • If you need support, you can ask another group member or helper for help. You can take a break if you need space. 
  • Communicate with respect. Listen to and learn from others. Respectful communication is not screaming, shouting or yelling. Wait your turn to talk and don’t interrupt. Stay focused on the group. 
  • Respect people’s privacy and confidentiality. What happens here, stays here.  
  • If someone threatens to harm themselves or someone else, we can call the police if we need to. 
  • Respect other people’s boundaries. Respect people’s body, physical, emotional space and belongings. 
  • Turn cellphones on vibrate. All calls should be made in the hall. If you are expecting an important call, let the group know before the meeting starts. For Zoom meetings, please mute your microphone to eliminate background noise.
  • If you are coming late, come in quietly. Grab some food and take a seat.