News

Bellwoods continuously monitors the news of coronavirus (COVID‐19) carefully. We are continuing to work with the Toronto Central LHIN, Ministry of Health and Toronto Public Health. Please be assured that Bellwoods is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our clients and staff.  As part of this commitment, an Emergency Planning & Preparedness Committee has been convened that is meeting daily to actively monitor the situation regarding COVID-19 and assess its impact across our organization as part of our Continuity of Operations Plan (COP).

Our primary goals at this time are:

  1. To confirm our plan to ensure that we can maintain critical functions and provide care for clients most in need.
  2. To ensure that clients and staff and service providers on the front-line are aware of how to prevent exposure to the coronavirus. [Remember: Proper hand hygiene is key. Soap and water are very effective against the coronavirus so if you cannot access alcohol-based hand rub, proper hand washing with soap and water will remove the virus from your hands.]
  1. To continue our efforts to ensure that all staff are equipped with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  2. To implement an active surveillance strategy to identify and effectively manage potential exposure for staff and clients.
  3. To issue regular communication bulletins to communicate information that is in line with public health recommendations for health, hygiene and prudent action.

At this time, we are reminding staff and clients:

  1. To self-identify to their Supervisor/Manager if:
    1. They are experiencing any respiratory symptoms accompanied by fever
    2. They have recently returned from a recent travel destination by air or on a cruise ship

HR staff will initiate a follow up call with these staff to undertake additional screening.

  1. Follow good respiratory etiquette including sneezing and coughing into a tissue (or sleeve if necessary) and discarding the tissue in a waste basket immediately and then washing hands.
  2. Follow the recommendations of Toronto Public Health using the link below and take the usual prevention measures to reduce the risk of transmission of flu and respiratory illnesses.

ATTENTION ALL VISITORS AND DELIVERY PERSONNEL

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 Bellwoods Head Office (3 Concorde Gate, Suite 200) will be closed in response to the current COVID-19 situation. Our staff will be working off site until further notice. Our main phone line will continue to be answered Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and our After Hours Service will operate as usual.

For any office inquiries please contact Irena Apostolovska, Office Manager at (416) 447-1160. For those delivering parcels/packages, please contact this number to arrange for staff to accept deliveries when staff are in the office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Head Office at (416) 696-9663.

Thank you all for your cooperation.

Bellwoods would like to take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) that is held on December 3rd. 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!

Photo of The Future is Accessible 2019 International Day of People with Disabilities

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!

It's Giving Tuesday! Donate to Bellwoods Bridging the Gap Fund.