Reena congratulates Tamir on receiving a $5.1M Ontario Grant to improve the lives of those with developmental disabilities in Ottawa area
April 16, 2018 – Thornhill, ON – Tamir, Reena’s sister agency in Ottawa, was awarded a $5.1M grant from the Government of Ontario to launch their Integrated Living Centre (ILC), a ground-breaking Ottawa project that will expand and transform delivery of services for people with developmental disabilities.
The Honourable Bob Chiarelli, MPP for Ottawa West Nepean on behalf of the Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Community and Social Services (MCSS), announced the funding support for the Integrated Living Centre (ILC), in a press conference today at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre in the heart of the Jewish community campus.
The ILC modelled after the innovative Reena Community Residence in Vaughan, will provide a variety of supportive housing and other services to people with developmental disabilities, within a fully inclusive environment under one roof, in a partnership between the Tamir Foundation, Jewish Family Services and March of Dimes.
Bryan Keshen, President and CEO of Reena stated : ““it was an honour and pleasure to be there as part of the announcement and seeing Tamir’s tremendous creativity and hard work being recognized. We look forward to seeing many more similar announcements.”
Reena would like to thank Minister Helena Jaczeck, former Minister of MCSS and the Government of Ontario for their initial funding of the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) a group consisting of 15 non-profit community-based agencies, led by Reena, dedicated to helping meet the housing and support needs of persons with developmental disabilities. Minister Michael Coteau and the entire Ottawa Caucus worked tirelessly to ensure that affordable housing with supports for those with developmental disabilities would be built in the Ottawa area serving a tremendous need.
“We will deliver uplifting and affordable care and inclusion for persons with developmental and other disabilities, and this will be integrated within the heart of the Jewish community and campus,” said Richard Zuker, chair of the Tamir Board of Directors, who also expressed his appreciation to Minister Chiarelli and the MCSS. Mr. Zuker also extended thanks to Reena, Tamir’s sister organization based in Toronto, and the Intentional Community Consortium for their support with the project.
Reena is looking forward to working with other agencies across in the Province in the expanding ICC to create more affordable housing for those with developmental disabilities and is looking forward to additional funding from government to support this, especially at our new community residence, in the planning stages, in Thornhill.
About Reena
Reena promotes dignity, individuality, independence, personal growth and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities within a framework of Jewish culture and values. Reena was established in 1973 by parents of children with developmental disabilities as a practical alternative to institutions. Since that time Reena has grown to provide support for 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
More information: reena.org
Contact: info@reena.org
t: (905) 889.6484
