How CANES Community Care has grown over the years:
1980
A group of community minded citizens met to ascertain the needs of the elderly in Northern Etobicoke.
March 1981
A survey conducted within Northern Etobicoke examined the outstanding problems of senior and disabled persons and identified a need for assistance with tasks such as outdoor maintenance and heavy house cleaning to enable them to stay in their own homes as long as possible. Following this, it was decided to organize a service to address some of these unmet needs.
Feb. 1982
Rexdale Home Care and Support Service became fully operational and was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in August of that year.
Jan. 1986
Late in 1985, the Board of Central Etobicoke Home Care and Support Services made a formal request to amalgamate with Rexdale Home Care and Support Services. Responsibility for the Central Program was accepted by Rexdale on January 31, 1986.
May 1986
The agency relocated from Kipling Acres to the Thistletown Multi-Service Community Centre.
Sept. 1986
A proposal to change the name of the amalgamated program to Central and Northern Etobicoke Home Support Services was approved by the membership of Rexdale Home Care and Support Services. The amalgamated agency is now informally known as the CANES Program.
1986
We completed computerization of internal data systems.
April 1988
At the request of the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the CANES Program accepted responsibility for an existing program called School and Community Outreach Program for the Elderly (SCOPE). This is an intergenerational Student Registry Program matching students with senior and disabled persons who need help with such tasks as lawn mowing, delivering groceries, light housekeeping and companion services.
June 1988
Due to the large number of phone calls we received as well as the clear identification of need, as noted by the Etobicoke Social Development Council. Needs of the Elderly Committee, the CANES Program initiated a Handyman Service.
Aug. 1988
The R.O.S.E.S. Program (Reaching Out in Service to Etobicoke Seniors) was initiated. This program provides socialization and activation for socially isolated and/or home-bound senior and disabled persons. Clients and volunteers share talents.
Sept. 1988
A Client Intervention Program that provides non-therapeutic counseling, information, assistance in filling out forms, applications, etc. to senior and disabled persons/or families was introduced.
Sept. 1988
At the request of the City of Etobicoke (Works Department) the CANES Program accepted responsibility for Snow Removal (Student Registry) Program for senior and disabled persons who reside in the Central area of Etobicoke only.
1988
Van and equipment donated for Handyperson Program by Humber Valley United Church.
Sept. 1991
Snow Removal Program expanded to include Northern Etobicoke as well as Central Etobicoke.
Nov. 1993
Services expanded to provide Homemaking--meal planning and preparation, personal care including dressing, bathing and other personal hygiene. This program was initiated because of the increase in the numbers of frail elderly.
March 1994
In a joint program between the Family Services Association of Metro Toronto and CANES, a Placement Co-ordination Service was initiated.
June 1995
Services expanded to provide Respite Care--in-home temporary relief and support to a primary care giver who is caring for a senior who cannot safely be left alone.
Feb. 1997
CANES' services expanded to include an Elder Abuse Program which provides community action and awareness for the prevention of elder abuse.
July 1997
The Supportive Housing Program was initiated in a designated building, where on-site staff provide assistance with personal care, essential homemaking, case co-ordination and 24-hour emergency response to residents who have a demonstrated need for assistance to maintain their independence.
Feb. 1999
Our Caregiver Support and Counselling Program which provides counselling and support to seniors and adult persons who are providing care for someone at home who is ill or disabled was introduced.
June 1999
CANES Congregate Dining Program for residents of Highway Terraces, in operation since October 1997 as a pilot project, was made available to CANES clients in the community. Once a month residents are transported to a designated site for a nutritional and social lunch followed by an entertainment/educational program. In September 1999 CANES partnered with Central Park Lodge to provide a Congregate Dining Program on their premises for a trial period of eight months.
Nov. 1999
CANES Supportive Housing Program expanded to include R.J. Smith Apartments in the Kipling/Albion area.
Jan. 2000
The CANES Supportive Housing Program again expanded to include Westacres on Arbordell Road in Etobicoke.
Sept. 2000
CANES began its Home Maintenance Brokerage Program and registry of professional trades people.
July 2001
With funding from the City of Toronto and the United Way of Greater Toronto,CANES is providing volunteer outreach to the newcomer elders in the Somali and South Asian communities.
Feb. 2005
CANES expanded the Congregate Dining Program to include a new luncheon site at RJ Smith Apartments, expanded the Highway Terraces luncheon to serve 5 times the previous number of clients in their own building, and after 6 successful years at Central Park Lodge, with our own staff , we are able to offer a new luncheon in the CANES Boardroom.
April 2005
With United Way increased funding the Newcomer Elderly Outreach Worker positions (Somali and South Asian) were expanded to fulltime.
May 2006
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) created 14 administrative regions in the province of Ontario called local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), through which to organize and finance Health Care Services. CANES Community Care was assigned to the West LHIN, which includes Rexdale, Malton, Brampton, and the area up to Orangeville and Shelburne.
July 2007
CANES Community Care is part of the J.E.T.S. program-Joint Etobicoke Transportation Services. Etobicoke Services for Seniors (ESS), Storefront Humber and CANES Community Care share transportation resources made possible by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
October 2007
William Osler Health Centre opened its newest health facility-Brampton Civic Hospital. CANES Community Care services patients at this location through the Home at Last program.
May 2008
CANES Community Care expanded the program into Orangeville and surrounding area, to assist seniors going home from Headwaters Health Care Centre.
April 2008
CANES Community Care to have the agencies Letters Patent registered to reflect new name, CANES Community Care, was approved. CANES also supports a new look and logo with the name.
August 2008
CANES Community Care moved to its new location at 135 Queens Plate Dr. off of Rexdale Blvd.
November 2008
CANES Annual Strategic Planning day was held November 15, 2008 with the Board and Management Staff. The agencies’ 3-Year Strategic Plan for 2009 to 2012 was reviewed and updated. This visioning exercise was called Vision 2020.
May 2009
The Strategic Plan: Vision 2020 including the Goals and Measures of Success 2009-2012 were approved by the Board of Directors in May 2009.
June 2009
CANES Community Care approved for a new Supportive Housing Site at 88 Humber College Blvd., Etobicoke under the Aging at Home Year 2 funding. Personal Care services will be provided to 35 new clients at the Angela Mazzotta Building.
With funding from Central West LHIN, CANES partnered with Dixon Community Services and started a new Adult Day Program for Somali seniors in north Etobicoke.
July 2009
Funding from the CW LHIN helps expand Respite Care services in Brampton.
CANES becomes a member of the Transportation Action Group (TAG) a group formed by the CW LHIN.
CANES was asked by United Way to sponsor a proposal for Newcomer Grant from the Madbakh Women’s Initiative. CANES offered advice on the design and budget of the program. United Way Toronto approved Madbakh for 1 year and CANES agreed to provide ongoing supervision to the program.
August 2009
CANES submitted a Business Case for the expansion of the office on the fourth floor at 135 Queens Plate Drive.
New CANES brochure with inserts for individual programs and services, new agency banner, new Board orientation package, new ads and an Advertorial drafted to place CANES in better marketing position as it grows into the future.
April 2010
at the Oasis Convention Centre in Mississauga, awards were handed out to hundreds of volunteers in Ontario. Six of CANES board members were each awarded and recognized by the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards Committee, for members with 5 or more years of volunteer service.
May 2010
CANES Community Care has been fortunate to be selected as the Lead Agency for a new Integrated Transportation Program in the southern portion of the Central West LHIN. Through our existing and new connections in the community we will be working with 12 agency partners to deliver over 16,000 rides annually. The new program is called “Seniors Ride Connect.”
July 2010
As part of the preparation to ready our agency and our service providers – Canadian Red Cross and Etobicoke Services for Seniors – for this new, expanded transportation program CANES has sourced some new CRM (Client Relationship Management) software that will position us and our partners well for the future. Called Procura – Home and Community Care Software, it will help us establish a very robust platform from which we can record client care plans, services provided, plan for capacity building and report results internally and externally.
August 2010
CANES Community Care hosted a press release for the Central West Local Health Integration Network (CW LHIN) at 111 Kendleton, one of CANES’ Supportive Housing sites. CANES received confirmation for new funding for Year 3 of the Aging at Home Strategy. These funds will go toward the new Seniors Ride Connect program and a new Treat at Home program. Many partners and a few clients attended and spoke on behalf of this positive announcement for CANES.
September 2010 (Accreditation)
Every three years CANES goes through a 4 day on site survey to test whether we are up to agency standards by Accreditation Canada. This process begins almost a year in advance, as CANES comes together to ensure that we are serving our clients to the best of our abilities. Our programs and services are put to the test ranging from topics on client safety, home care, and communication. Not many agencies are Accredited by Accreditation Canada, so this seal of approval really shows the quality and care we here at CANES put forth in serving our community.
The CANES Family Health Team gathered to celebrate their Open House and recognize a long awaited, yet successful completion of the new clinic and the new CANES Community Pharmacy that are both located together with CANES at 135 Queens Plate Dr. Joe McReynolds, Chair of the Central West Local Health Integration Network were amongst many who spoke on behalf of those who made it possible for the completion of the new facility.
November 2010
We have been fortunate to have received funds from the Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to develop two new programs – the Seniors Ride Connect Program and the Treat at Home program, respectively. The Seniors Ride Connect Program is a transportation service working with nine other community partners in the southern portion of Central West LHIN to provide over 16,000 rides to seniors who require transportation to medical appointments, day programs, seniors’ luncheons and other events. The Treat at Home program is a new service for seniors who also have mental health and addictions issues. This program is now being offered in partnership with Reconnect and the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Branch.
December 2010
Over 100 meals are delivered again to frail seniors in their homes through the help of Copper County Foods over the Christmas Holidays courtesy of CANES Community Care.
February 2011 (Joint Venture Agreement)
CANES Community Care (CANES), ESS Support Services (ESS) and Peel Senior Link (PSL) Boards of Directors announced that the three agencies have agreed to a new joint venture initiative to develop their capacity to deliver care services to seniors in an ever expanding marketplace within the Greater Toronto Area. CANES, ESS and PSL were all accredited by Accreditation Canada in 2010 for three years
March 2011 (New Accessible Buses)
CANES, with the help of one time funding from the Central West LHIN and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care purchased 2 brand new wheelchair accessible buses that will be added to the Seniors Ride Connect Transportation Fleet. As our transportation program grows with the increasing demand for services, we have answered that call for the need to assist those who are disabled or wheelchair bound. This is a significant enhancement to the five vans provided under the Aging at Home program.
June 2011 (1st Community Engagement Forum)
CANES Community Care hosts its first Annual Community Forum followed by an Annual Report on agency achievements. This event was located at the Panemonte Banquet Hall and with theme of “Threading Ideas, Threading Communities”. It focused on client and stakeholder input in order to keep CANES focused on the needs of our communities and our clients. With our partners and funders we are working to a common goal of maintaining quality services while meeting a growing demand for services.