Cribwolf Talks

Lino spotlights the recent Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) housing conference called "A Day on the Hill", held on March 27th 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The conference focused on affordable & supportive housing for individuals with developmental disabilities. This is the ICC's second housing conference; their first conference was held pre-COVID, back in February of 2...

Ann Bilodeau, Executive Director for the KW Habilitation, discusses the organization's mission and vision. KW Habilitation is a local not-for-profit organization that provides a wide range of individualized services and supports to children with any special need and adults with developmental disabilities. They believe that a good life is fostered through early learning supports, inclusive liv...

Robin Bailey, Executive Director for the Burlington Food Bank, discusses the organization's mission to collect, purchase, grow, and distribute food directly to families in Burlington that need a little help. A client can visit the food bank once every three weeks and they provide between seven and ten days’ worth of food and hygiene products. They also provide baby items, such as diapers, for...

Graham Hill, Executive Director of Food for Life, discusses how the volunteer-powered, grassroots-driven organization thrives on the spirit of teamwork. With an unparalleled network of support from individuals, corporations, and various foundations in the Halton region, Graham shares that Food for Life's operation is defined by their collaboration; through their trusted alliances, the organiz...

Lino connects with the other Directors of Cribwolf Foundation, Sunil Balakrishnan and Matt George (Co-Founder) to review Cribwolf Talks’ very first webcast “Providing a Person-Centered Housing Solution” released a year ago. The trio revisit, reflect on, and provide expanded context for many of the important insights Bryan Keshen (President and CEO of Reena) presented in his candid discussion with...

David Petkau , discusses Christian Horizons' changing culture that is based on the belief that People who experience disabilities belong to communities in which their God-given gifts are valued and respected. Christian Horizons' change in strategic direction focuses on allowing the people they service to have choice and a voice on services and what which community they wish to live in. T...

Gary Gladstone is the Principal Consultant of Gladstone Consulting and the Head of Stakeholder Relations for Reena. Gary is a strong community advocate; addressing the housing and employment challenges faced by persons with disabilities.   Gary is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive with over 25 years of non-profit, corporate, government and volunteer leadership experience; a recipient of the Queen...

As a survivor of severe and sustained abuse, Sandra discusses the importance of being connected to community to rebuild a sense of belonging and purpose. She shares her personal journey and the hope that being both an advocate and voice for other survivors brings her, and her continued desire to inspire, encourage, and empower others on their own healing journeys. To reach Sandra for feedback, or...

Lately, there has been resounding discussion on the historical devastation from the Residential Schools of our Indigenous Peoples, historically a more vulnerable population.  Similar challenges are also faced today by persons with disabilities being subjected to multiple violations of their rights, including acts of violence, abuse, prejudice and disrespect because of their disability, which inter...

Matt George discusses the options for buying a home or building a home in an inflated real estate marketplace. If you are looking to get some information on the costs associated with building a home vs. buying a home and require some guidelines on creating a barrier-free, accessible environment for anyone with a disability, this is the podcast for you. Guidelines for renovating or building an acce...

Join Matt George as he revisits the affordable housing crisis affecting the IDD community and discusses how it relates to Ontario's affordable housing crisis, which has become increasingly pervasive over the past several decades. Much of the problem is a result of reduced government investment in affordable housing and lower income individuals have consistently been bearing the brunt of the c...

Jim Caruk, Founder of Renos for Heroes joins Lino on Cribwolf Talks, for a discussion on the various challenges faced over the years by Renos for Heroes, a not-for-profit organization providing renovation and building services for the military men and women who have sustained injuries while serving our country. Many Canadian military personnel have incurred life-altering disabilities while serving...

Lino is joined by Safehaven’s CEO Susan Bisaillon who provides valuable information about their organization, a not-for-profit that has provided residential and respite care to individuals with complex needs for over 30 years. At Safehaven, their resilient clients live full, meaningful lives, not defined by developmental disabilities and medically complex care needs. Safehaven is proud to provide...

Lino is joined by Npower Canada's Andrew Subryan; Manager of Outreach & Engagement and Sharon Minos; Account Manager of Community Engagement.  NPower Canada envisions a diverse technology workforce, where people from any cultural ethnicity, gender or socio-economic background, including those with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD), can succeed in our digital economy. 80%...

Mental illness has been around forever and now after a decade of increased awareness and humanity's acceptance, we can talk openly.   Let's push aside judgment and prioritize compassion for persons affected by mental illness.  Credits: Host: Lino A. Fera Music by: Dr. Ian Bates Production: The Cribwolf Team

In this thought-provoking year end podcast, Lino highlights nuggets of information from our past episodes.  These pearls relate to the care and support of a person with varying abilities ie: community engagement, social inclusion, the housing crisis, the growing housing wait list which steers us to the multi-unit residential communities with a holistic perspective. Credits: Host: Lino A. Fera Musi...

Lino is joined by Bryan Keshen, President and CEO of Reena who delivers candid, thought-provoking insights regarding the critical need for more multi-unit residential communities (MURC) for people with varied abilities. Reena is a non-profit organization that promotes dignity, individuality, independence, personal growth and community inclusion for people with diverse abilities within a framework...

Lino is joined by co-founder Matt George of Cribwolf Foundation as they discuss the recent changes proposed by  Developmental Services Ontario ( DSO), Canada from a fully government funded housing model for persons with IDD to an independent housing model funded as a family-funded model .  This podcast reviews highlights taken from the DSO 3-part webinar that leave us with multiple questions and c...

Lino is joined by two members of the Cribwolf Foundation Advisory Committee, Maggie Bates & Christine Mazurk-Fera. The trio take a closer look at the importance of community engagement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  Topics include historical institutions, social network structures, relationship maps, benefits of social inclusion and the growing movemen...

Christian Horizons, a non-profit developmental services organization shares insight into community-focused, inclusive living where one’s God-given gifts are valued and respected.  Join Cribwolf Talks as David Petkau provides a ‘ behind the curtain’ glimpse into the organization's exciting new projects. Credits: Guest : David Petkau Host: Lino A. Fera Sound & IT  by: Cyber Stream Music by:...

Join Sunil Balakrishnan, as he co-hosts this podcast and interviews Lino Fera about his story as a parent of a special needs individual.  Lino dives deep into his book, discusses various challenges as a parent with a focus on the post 21 era. Credits: Co-Host: Sunil Balakrishnan Host: Lino A. Fera Sound & IT  by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates Production: The Cribwolf Team

In light of social distancing, Lino Fera interviews Kimberly Wentrot backyard to backyard! Kim has a wonderful son named Jacob who has down syndrome. She takes us on a journey to describe their daily routines and  challenges,  and discusses the future she is hoping for Jacob. Credits: Guest : Kimberly Wentrot Host: Lino A. Fera Sound & IT  by: Cyber Stream Music by: Dr. Ian Bates Production: T...

An introduction to the Cribwolf Talks Podcast series with an overview of the Cribwolf Foundation  and the general range of  topics we will be covering.  The primary focus is on the thousands of adults with Intellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) who do not have access to safe and supportive housing.  Join us as we discuss the various programs and projects that are in the works, dedicated to en...