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, and discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

Today, we have a chat between Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, and Nick Hadjiyianni, program manager of employment supports. In this insightful episode, Nick talks about his childhood and motivation to work in the Developmental Services sector, the evolution of employment and disability inclusion at workplace. Nick also shares common misconceptions about hiring and fostering workplaces that reflect our communities, as well as tips for young adults, job seekers, parents, and employers.

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, and discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

In this heartfelt episode, Stephanie talks about her association with the Community Living movement and Developmental Services sector, career in government relations and engagement within the current political landscape, the power of unity and idea behind campaigns like #5ToSurvive, and the importance of inclusion and the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

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, and discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

In this heartfelt episode, Kelly shares her childhood experiences and growing up in different homes, how supports from Community Living Toronto changed her life, her experience as a person with a disability within the 2SLGBTQQAI+ community, her love for “Doctor Who” series, and the power of positive thinking, hope, and determination.

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, and discuss pressing challenges and new developments in the sector.

In this heartfelt episode, Agnes shares her longstanding connection with CLTO through career and volunteer work, advocacy efforts and impact on Ontario’s support for children, the importance of a person-centered approach in organizations, the strength in unity and the value of mutual learning, memories of her husband, Sam, and the heartwarming story behind the Sam Samler Award, and much more!

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!

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!

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.”

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.