Mary Centre strives to give people who have a developmental disability the opportunity, when building a good life, to live as independently as possible within their community.
Community Connections
Whether people with a developmental disability live in their family home or in one of our supported community group living or supported independent living apartments, Mary Centre’s community connection supports and encourages building inclusion in the community through education, recreation and volunteer activities.
With the objective of building independence, creating community relationships, and developing meaningful experiences, we plan activities to meet individual preferences.
Within Toronto and Peel Region we have focused our Community Connections services on two (2) age categories. Our Elder Connection services support people who are primarily aged fifty-five (55) and above and our Adult Connection services support people who are primarily aged fifty-four (54) and below. There may be some cross-over of ages pending the individual interests and needs of people.
Within the Elder and Adult Connections Services we offer two (2) types of community connections services:
- Individual service (one-on-one) matches people with a direct support employee. Together, they plan activities according to personal interests. We utilize community resources such as public libraries, recreational and senior centres, schools, parks and special events to participate in fun and interesting excursions. In addition, working on skills such as banking, budgeting, menu planning, meal preparation, grocery shopping, household management, community safety and knowledge are examples of the focus of this program. This service can be considered as what we formerly referred to as In-Home Respite Services.
- For adults who are interested in meeting new people, we offer our Networking service, which is a group gathering. A small network of people will meet to enjoy activities together. Participants will be given the opportunity to learn important social, communication, cultural, educational and vocational skills that they can transition to community experiences.
People are supported with neighbourhood outings, building healthy lifestyles and learning to use local supports and services to allow full inclusion in the area. Community Connections helps people with developmental disabilities to build self-esteem, confidence and independence, which assists people in being contributing members of their communities. As well as providing new adventures and networking opportunities for people, community connections offers recreation and leisure activities. Mary Centre employees supervise all get-togethers and arrange for transportation.
Transition into Long-Term Care
Mary Centre’s Transition into Long Term Care Program is only provided in Peel and provides six (6) to eight (8) weeks of support to people aged fifty (50) and older and who have a developmental disability and are either preparing to move into a long-term care facility or who have just done so. Mary Centre employees assist in providing a transition between home life and long-term care or helping them adjust to their new living arrangement. We will support and be a resource to the Long-Term Care employees in developing a plan that will assist the person in their transition.
Respite
Respite offers flexible, short-term care and support that meets the needs of the person and their family. This service provides people with the daily routine of caregiving and/or being with their family so as to assist in sustaining personal health and well-being. This could involve support to enable time to take a vacation or just a few hours to complete other responsibilities; time to attend to the needs of other family members or, sometimes, temporary support in times of family/personal crisis or ill health.
Mary Centre offers respite support
- Community (Out-of-Home) Connections service at St. Bernard’s Residence in the former City of North York provides twenty-four (24) hours of out-of-home respite care seven (7) days a week.This program offers up to six (6) beds to people who are currently living at their own home or with caregivers or other community partners. The focus of this program is to provide care and support to the person and/or family. We will make every effort to support and/or enhance existing goals the person or family may have. We will also assist with the development of new skills that will enhance the person’s quality of life.
- Day-Away Day Program. The CS Day-Away Day Program is part of the Aging at Home Initiative. This program provides an opportunity to socialize and participate in recreational and leisure activities designed ideally to support people above the age of fifty-five (55). The program is also ideal for people who may be experiencing cognitive decline. The program runs Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. People can choose to come only one (1) day per week or five (5) days per week. There are support employees that provide a safe and secure environment with a program of activities structured to meet the needs of people with memory impairment and cognitive decline. This program helps each person to maintain life skills and to assist them to remain in their community longer. People who attend this day program are also eligible to attend our Out-of-Home respite program.
Faith Outreach
For people who live in our supported independent living apartments or who reside in our community-based houses and wish to connect with a faith community, Mary Centre helps to make this happen.
We work with faith communities throughout the Greater Toronto Area and the Region of Peel. We devise innovative ways to establish connections. For example, some of the people we support serve on the altar in their churches, others attend weekly services or special events. Staff members often assist in providing transportation and support.
We also educate faith communities about people with developmental disabilities and encourage them to welcome them into their spiritual communities.
