Category: Bellwoods Blog

Bellwoods would like to take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) that is held on December 3^rd. The theme for 2019 is: “The Future is Accessible.” This is an opportunity to recognize all of our clients, families, caregivers and staff for their dedicated support and work towards a path of inclusivity and accessibility in our community. The IDPD celebrates our collective achievements and contributions and also raises public awareness, understanding and acceptance of our continued efforts to ensure respect, accessibility, equality of opportunity, and full participation and inclusion for people with disabilities. The following link provides further more information and resources: https://idpwd.org/  

If you would like to participate in IDPD celebrations, The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) Toronto Chapter is hosting an event: Working Together: One Voice More Choice on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Metro Hall (55 John Street, Toronto, ON).  For more information or to register for this event please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/4th-annual-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-event-tickets-74993241805

Thank you for your support in building a stronger more inclusive communities for everyone!

Today on Giving Tuesday, Canada Helps will donate an extra $5 for every donation of $25 or more to Bellwoods Centres for Community Living Inc. Consider donating to the Bridging the Gap Fund that is intended to ‘Bridge the Gap’ for some of Bellwoods’ clients who are experiencing greater financial hardship. For more information, please contact the Bridging the Gap Coordinator at (416) 447-1168 or by e-mail: ayip@bcclsp.org

To make a charitable donation, you can:
– Make a secure charitable donation online through Canada Helps at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/3900
– Contact Anna Yip, Communications & Development Associate at (416) 447-1168 or by e-mail: ayip@bcclsp.org

It’s time to give back. Donate today and make a big difference!

The I Heart Neighbourhood Charity Auction held on Wednesday May 15, 2019 at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre is an unique collaborative fundraising event that will see five caring and compassionate charities (Bellwoods Centres for Community Living Inc., The Neighbourhood Group, Regent Park Focus, Business in the Streets and UrbanArts) coming together to raise much-needed funds to support important programs and services that create opportunities to improve and enhance people’s lives and to help them live independently and with dignity. Collectively, these agencies serve an estimated 50,000 Torontonians each year.

No one – no family, no child, no senior – should be disadvantaged by where they live in the City. No one should have to accept inadequate services or limited opportunities because of the neighbourhood in which they reside or because of their life circumstances. Strong neighbourhoods are important pillars of community health and prosperity.

The I Heart Neighbourhood Charity Auction is dedicated to resilient, just and caring communities where inclusion and diversity are nurtured and celebrated.

Please join us to champion the crucial work of our participating community organizations and make a donation in support of these great organizations.    

For more information on sponsorship, donations, and tickets supporting the event, please contact Anna Yip, Communications Support Coordinator at (416) 447-1168 or by e-mail at: ayip@bcclsp.org

Building on the success of last year’s debut, the I Heart Neighbourhood Charity Auction will bring together friends, neighbours and supporters of a wide spectrum of caring and compassionate community organizations to celebrate the importance of neighbourhood.

This unique collaborative fundraising event brings together Bellwoods Centres for Community Living Inc., The Neighbourhood Group, Business in the Streets, Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre and UrbanArts to raise much-needed funds to support vital programs and services.

Please join us to champion the crucial work of our participating charities.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 6:30 pm at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre – 50 Carlton Street, Toronto

• Early Bird Tickets $100 (until March 31, 2019)
  General Admission $125 (after March 31, 2019)
• Early Bird Heart of Gold Patrons $150 (until March 31, 2019)
  Heart of Gold Patrons $200 (after March 31, 2019)

Be sure to buy your tickets today or if you’re not able to attend, but would like to show your support, please make a donation in support of Bellwoods.  

For more information on sponsorship, donations, and tickets supporting the event, please contact Anna Yip, Communications Support Coordinator at (416) 447-1168 or by e-mail at: ayip@bcclsp.org

In honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities #IDPD2018, Bellwoods would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our clients, families and caregivers for all communities dedicated support and work towards a path of inclusivity and accessibility in our community.

This year’s theme of International Day of Persons with Disabilities is to empower persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality. The goal is to help create real opportunities for people with disabilities that will enhance their own capacities and provides supports in setting their priorities. When people are empowered, they are better prepared to take advantage of opportunities and they become agents of change.

Evidence and experience shows that when barriers to inclusion are removed and persons with disabilities are empowered to participate fully in societal life, their entire community benefits. While Canadians with disabilities increasingly live in communities, physical exclusion in institutional settings is still a significant part of the Canadian disability landscape. We need to work together to diminish these barriers that will hopefully close some of the gaps.

Bellwoods recognizes that the existence of barriers constitutes a central component of disability. Accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities are fundamental rights and are not only objectives, but also pre-requisites for the enjoyment of all other rights. Bellwoods encourages and supports our clients to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of their lives and development.

Where to next? We need to ensure that no one is left behind as we build our future societies where barriers do not exist. Bellwoods’ mission is to transform lives through excellence and innovation in Independent Living and we will continue to find innovative ways to create inclusive communities and environments.

For more information please visit:

• IDPWD
• United Nations