Reena

03/12/2026

Today we celebrated the official opening of the new Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) in Thornhill! This important new centre will support seniors - especially those with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges - by providing programs that help them stay active, healthy, and socially connected. Thank you to Minister Raymond Cho, Seniors and Accessibility, MPP Stephen Lecce, and MPP Laura Smith for sharing their remarks and supporting this investment in our community’s seniors.


Gary Gladstone

03/06/2026

Innovation starts by listening.

Thanks to a $93,800 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation , Reena is advancing Empowering Families: Community-Centred Residential Planning for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families plan for community living with greater confidence and support.

We’re grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for helping Reena support individuals and families across our community and beyond, and to MPP Michelle Cooper for recognizing the importance of proactive, community-centred residential planning.

So far, this project has included more than 100 family discovery calls and surveys, the development of the Independent Residential Practice Program (IRPP) Preparation Toolkit, and the identification of 23 individuals for the first wave of practice stays. With 385 families initially expressing interest, the need — and the potential impact — is clear.

Gary Gladstone

03/05/2026

A bond that started last year at the "Pushing the Boundaries" conference, where Reena was a co-lead...

One Big Family / אותו דבר 🎶💙 What began as a shared meeting between organizations devoted to inclusion and acceptance grew into something truly meaningful. Through a special collaboration between Israel Elwyn and the Montreal Shira Choir, we are proud to present a beautiful music video featuring the Shavim Band with the Montreal Shira Choir. This project reflects months of dedication, friendship, and the extraordinary gifts of each participant. It reminds us how music dissolves barriers, builds connection, and creates belonging. With heartfelt gratitude to every partner, participant, family member, volunteer, and supporter who helped bring this vision to life — this is more than a song… it is a celebration of One Big Family ✨

One Big Family / אותו דבר 🎶💙What began as a shared meeting between organizations devoted to inclusion and acceptance grew into something truly meaningful.T...

03/05/2026

Purim celebrates the rescue of the Jewish people from the threat of destruction in Persia. The holiday teaches the importance of embracing faith, community and giving charity to the needy.

It is traditional to give gifts of sweets - Mishloach Manot- to friends on this day. This year, NCJWC Toronto is proud to be delivering 200 packages of sweet treats to our wonderful friends at Reena .

Chag Sameach everyone!

03/03/2026

Thank you to the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto, who delivered this morning Mishloach Manot for Reena supported individuals. Your generosity means so much to us and to the community at large.

Purim is a holiday of courage. A story of vulnerability turned into strength. A reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope can rise. This Purim, we celebrate, and we hold space for those who can’t.

This Purim, we recommit ourselves to protecting, supporting, and uplifting those who rely on us most.

We pray for peace, safety, and brighter days ahead.

Chag Purim Sameach.

02/27/2026

We’re excited to share the launch of the NTG–Canadian Consortium website: ntgcanada.org. Reena, an active partner of the NTG Canadian Consortium, is proud to help announce this important step toward stronger dementia supports for adults with intellectual disabilities and better access to information for families and staff across Canada.

Dementia can be a difficult journey, and no one should have to face it alone. The new website includes practical tools, curated resources, and training information designed for front-line staff, agency leaders, educators, community partners, and family caregivers.

This site will continue to evolve as needs change—please explore, share, and tell us what would help most.

02/25/2026

As an annual tradition, Reena was honoured to participate once again in the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce City of Vaughan Mayor luncheon today. We thank His Worship Steven Del Duca for his leadership and support of Reena and other social services organizations in the community.
Gary Gladstone Linda Jackson .ferri.2025
Gila Martow Chris Ainsworth

02/12/2026

Reena was honoured to host Dr. Carolyn Whitzman, Adjunct Professor and Senior Researcher at the School of Cities University of Toronto, for a tour of Lou Fruitman Reena Residence and a thoughtful conversation about what it will take to build housing solutions that scale.

Dr. Whitzman’s work, including Home Truths: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis (2024) and recent reports on bundling public assets to build nonmarket housing, human rights-based housing targets, scaling up nonmarket supply, and responsible investment in housing, brings needed clarity to the policies and partnerships that can accelerate real progress.

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Her expertise aligns closely with Reena’s focus on innovative housing for people with hashtag hashtag , housing that supports dignity, stability, and true community belonging. We appreciated her insights and look forward to staying connected as we advance inclusive, non-market solutions across the housing continuum.

02/10/2026

“Reena’s magic works when you give it a chance,” Talia says. “It’s not perfect, nothing in life is, but it’s a place where you can build a future and become the best version of yourself.” Read Talia's full story: https://reena.org/year-of-impact/ Reena

02/04/2026

We’re proud to spotlight a new milestone in Reena’s Supported Employment programs!

Reena's Channels and Pathways North has partnered with Food and Beverage Ontario "Careers Now" to deliver a customized Food Production Worker Certificate Training designed specifically for neurodivergent learners.

With six motivated participants, supported by Reena’s Job Coaching Services and guided by our coach Tamara, this program combines skill-building, accommodations for diverse learning styles, and real-world career pathways in the food manufacturing sector.

As the trainees prepare for their final exam, they’re one step closer to certification and to greater opportunities in the labour market.

Building skills. Building confidence. Building careers.

02/04/2026

Reena is proud to demonstrate sector leadership at the and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference.


Our COO, Sandy Stemp is presenting alongside Melonie Hopkins, Transitional Manager in the Complex Care and Recovery Program at CAMH and Jeanny Scantlebury, Vice President Adult Services, Surrey Place on Dual Diagnosis ALC – Collaborative Models and Need for System Actions.

This session highlights a cross-sector collaboration that successfully transitioned individuals with dual diagnosis from prolonged hospital stays into community-based solutions—improving quality of life while reducing strain on the health system. The presentation will share lessons learned, community successes, and the urgent need for system-level action to replicate effective models across regions.

We are honoured to contribute to advancing solutions for an underserved population and to advocating for sustainable, collaborative approaches across the sector.

🔗 Learn more about the conference: https://www.healthandwellbeingindd.ca/

02/03/2026

Did you know that February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month?

In fact, NCJWC Toronto is proud to partner with Reena for the 2026 Passover Food Drive. Through this vital community project, Reena clients help us pack our Yom Tov candles and Passover Food boxes.

Thank you Reena. We could not do this without you!