This article was first published in our 2024-2025 annual report.
At Circle of Care, community is not just a value—it is an everyday practice. Whether through deep partnerships with other organizations, meaningful conversations with seniors and their caregivers, or on-the-ground presence at local events, we are building a network of supports that meets people where they are.
The Ambassadors Program: Community Connections in Action
Circle of Care’s Ambassadors Program continued to deepen our presence in the community, with staff attending over 30 events across the city. From seniors’ fairs to local health expos, our team shared information, answered questions, and helped connect seniors to the supports they need. These in-person events allow us to build relationships with other service providers, strengthen our referral network and help us guide clients to the most appropriate care—whether through Circle of Care or a trusted partner.
“The fairs bring in a wide range of people—some interested in their own health concerns, or those of a family member or friend. Sometimes I am engaging with healthcare professionals who want to know more about us. There are so many ways for people to connect these days—but in-person, I find, is the most effective.”
– Piers, Circle of Care Ambassador
“It has been such a pleasure to attend seniors’ events in the community or meet with like-minded professionals at local hospitals and offices. As a result, we have seen more people knowing about and using services that Circle of Care offers, including our Adult Day Program.”
– Madeline D’Arpino, ADP Supervisor
Holocaust Survivor Services: Listening, Learning, Leading
Born in Warsaw in 1928, Irene survived the Holocaust before building a full life in Canada. Her resilience and commitment to education inspire our team and deepen our understanding of the lived experiences behind our services.
Circle of Care is honoured to serve Holocaust Survivors through a specialized program supported by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. In September 2024, we hosted an all-day event for agencies delivering Survivor Services across North America, offering space to share best practices and strengthen cross-border collaboration.
At the heart of this work are the individuals we support—people like Irene Kurtz, a survivor who shared her story with Circle of Care staff. By listening to stories like Irene’s, and continually learning from both clients and peers, we build not only better programs—but stronger communities grounded in empathy and respect.
Bringing Support to Seniors’ Doorsteps through Neighbourhood Partnerships
Circle of Care is also proud to be part of several highly localized collaborations that bring services right to where seniors live. Through our involvement in the North York Neighbourhood Cares initiative and the North Toronto Ontario Health Team Neighbourhood Care Teams Working Group, our social workers and Meals on Wheels staff are working alongside other agencies in three Toronto Seniors Housing buildings to co-deliver programming directly onsite.
An example of an exciting initiative is the launch of pop-up Farmers’ Markets in seniors’ buildings over the past year. With the help of tenant volunteers, Toronto Seniors Housing, and FoodShare, these markets bring fresh, nutritious produce right to residents’ doorsteps. When seniors can shop for their own groceries in their own building, it supports independence, strengthens social connections, and reduces barriers to healthy eating. Smaller-scale, site-specific partnerships like this can make a big difference!
Caregivers: An Essential Part of Our Community
Building community means building relationships not only with seniors but also with their caregivers, who are vital partners in care with unique needs. Over the past year, we have offered Building Better Caregivers peer support and educational workshops, along with support groups focused on psychosocial well-being and practical coping tools.
In 2024, we added the Caregiver in a Box program to our facilitated groups. Each caregiver received a personalized self-care kit—featuring items like candles, bath salts, a journal, and healthy recipes—paired with video modules on stress, burnout, mindfulness, radical acceptance, and advance care planning. The program supported caregivers’ minds, bodies, and spirits while fostering peer connection.
“It is just a great experience to watch the participating caregivers in our Building Better Caregivers workshop come into their own over the six sessions. The workshop is about empowerment, about evaluating one’s actions and thoughts as relate to their caregiving experience, and finding new and better ways to care for themselves—and in so doing be even more effective in their caregiving.
– Lana, program facilitator
“I found the group helped create a sense of community among the participants, especially since they were all caring for someone who attend our Adult Day Program. Each week we made sure there was time to check-in with the participants, discuss the video we had asked them to watch prior to the session, and provide education.”
– Samantha Orlans, group coordinator and facilitator
Beyond these workshops, we focus on a range of other respite care initiatives, including personalized one-on-one supports for caregivers, hands-on personal support, and our Adult Day Program for adults living with dementia. We have also expanded our helpful online resources for caregivers, which we regularly share in our newsletters with them. By nurturing caregivers, we strengthen the entire community and support the vital role they play.
