Community Chats

Disclaimer:   At Community Living Toronto, we recognize the importance of approaching conversations about Indigenous peoples and communities with care, respect, and understanding. This episode touches on sensitive topics, including the Sixties Scoop and experiences on reserves, which may bring up difficult emotions for some listeners. We encourage you to listen in whatever way feels right for you,...

In this episode of Community Chats, Karen Bell, Executive Director, Microboards Ontario joins Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a conversation about Microboards, supported decision-making, and creating more opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to live the lives they choose.   Together, they explore how Microboards are emerging as another way for people with int...

In this episode of Community Chats, Don Logie, Community Living Toronto’s Board Chair, joins Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a conversation about leadership, inclusive housing, and the future of community living.   Together, they explore Don’s decades of experience in real estate development and affordable housing, and how that experience connects to his work with Community Liv...

In this episode of Community Chats, Shawn Ratnasingam, Manager, Product Management at Community Living Toronto joins Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, to talk about the digital tools and technology helping improve access to information and services for people with developmental disabilities, their families and caregivers.   Together, they explore the evolution of digital platforms li...

In this episode of Community Chats, Sam Forbes and Sam McKhail, CLTO Influencers, join Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a conversation about advocacy, community and what belonging means to them. From programs that helped Sam Forbes build confidence and social skills, to Sam McKhail finding a sense of connection through his cultural heritage and community, they share some of the...

In the last episode of our six-part Belonging series, Brendon Pooran, lawyer and founder of Pooran Law, joins Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a conversation about choice, independence, and the everyday experiences of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. From recent developments around Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to changes to the Disability Tax Credi...

In this episode of Community Chats , Chris Beesley, CEO of Community Living Ontario, joins Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto for a conversation about leadership, belonging, and the future of community living.  Together, they explore how the sector has grown over the past decade, the importance of advocating for stronger systems that help people live the lives they choose, and what it...

In this episode of Community Chats , Linda and Ken join Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a conversation about their family's journey with their son, Ian. From Ian's early years to moving into supported independent living more than 25 years ago, Linda and Ken share the moments that shaped his path to independence. They talk about preparing for life's next steps, le...

In this episode of Community Chats, David Renfrew, Senior Director of Real Estate and Project Management, and Jonathan Bradshaw, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnership at Community Living Toronto join Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a conversation on housing and the future of inclusive communities.   Together, they explore Community Living Toronto’s evolving approach to...

In this episode of Community Chats , Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, is joined by Sherri Kroll, Executive Director, Middlesex Community Living , for a conversation about creating inclusive communities where belonging is not just an idea, but something visible in everyday life. Sherri talks about her journey and how both her professional and personal experiences have shaped her unde...

In this episode of Community Chats, David Lepofsky, Chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Alliance, joins Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for the first conversation in our new Belonging series. This six-episode series is part of our #WeAllBelong campaign celebrations for Community Living Month. David shares his reflections on what belonging means thr...

In our last episode of Community Chats Season 3, Deanna Strazzella, Senior Director, Specialized Services and Mita Hans, Support Worker, join Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a special conversation on leadership, authenticity, and the impact of women in the developmental services sector.   Deanna and Mita reflect on their journeys and the early experiences that have shaped how t...

In this episode of Community Chats, Lee Smith, Senior Manager, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Britney Bryan, Fundraising Coordinator, Community Giving, Events, and Stewardship, join Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for an honest conversation about leadership, identity, and belonging in the workplace. Lee and Britney reflect on their work at Community Living Toronto a...

In this episode of Community Chats, Alexandra Shannan , Housing Navigator, Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) and Julie Sommerfreund , Principal, Innovation, SHS Inc., join Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, for a forward-looking conversation on housing and innovative approaches emerging to help address one of the sector’s most urgent challenges.   Alexandra and Julie share more abo...

In this episode of the Community Chats podcast, Arissa and Sarosh, Early Childhood Consultants from Community Living Toronto, share insights from their work supporting children, families, and childcare teams to create inclusive learning environments.   They talk about why early, responsive support matters, particularly for children who may benefit from extra support - often before a formal diagnos...

In this episode of the Community Chats podcast, Heather McDonald, President and CEO, United Way Greater Toronto, reflects on her journey from nearly two decades at LOFT Community Services to leading one of Canada’s largest charities.   Heather shares how her background in person-centered care and social work informs her leadership today, and why she embraced the challenge of stepping into United W...

In this episode of the Community Chats podcast, John Tory, Chair of Community Living Toronto's Patron's Council, joins us to reflect on his journey of leadership, service, and connection to the developmental services sector.    He shares the personal influences that shaped his decades-long commitment to public service, the importance of volunteering, and the role of organizations like Co...

In this episode of the Community Chats podcast, Frances Moore and Glen Snyder from Community Living Toronto explore homelessness as one of the challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities. They share their experiences supporting people through transition services and adult protective services, highlight the risks of homelessness, the Bridges to Housing project, and the realities for t...

In this episode of the Community Chats podcast, Aida Abd El Nor, Director, High Care Association, Egypt and Alexandria Self Advocacy Group shares her journey of advocating for people with intellectual disabilities and building inclusive support networks locally and beyond.   She reflects on the self-advocacy movement in Egypt, the challenges and opportunities in the community, and the vital need f...

In this episode of the Community Chats podcast, Domenic Gentilini, parent, advocate, and founder, Down Syndrome Foundation offers an honest and hopeful perspective on building a brighter future for people with developmental disabilities.   From the early days of his son’s diagnosis to creating a foundation that fills critical gaps for families, Domenic’s journey is one of determination, love, and...

In this episode of Community Chats, Brendon Pooran, lawyer and founder, Pooran Law returns to share his insights on some of the pressing issues and legal developments in the developmental services sector. From the latest on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) legislation to the Canada Disability Benefit, he speaks candidly about what’s working, what’s falling short and offers practical tips for peo...

In this episode of the Community Chats podcast, Valerie Boyle, parent and actor, opens up about her son Richie’s journey and how their family found support through Community Living. She shares her experience as Richie’s biggest advocate, her worries as an aging caregiver, and the future she hopes for herself and other parents in similar situations. Alongside her personal story, Valerie talks about...

“Belonging is a necessity of a good life. The responsibility doesn’t just lie on the person who hopes to belong, it lies on all of us to create a society in which people feel that belonging” In this episode of Community Chats podcast, Vassy Kapelos, political journalist and Community Living Toronto’s Patron’s Council member, reflects on her early years and her dream of building a career in politic...

Today, we have a chat between Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, and Mary Pat Armstrong, parent, founder of LIGHTS, and long-time supporter of Community Living Toronto. In this episode, they discuss Mary Pat's journey as a mother, mentor, and advocate and the lessons she learned along the way. They also share key insights from decades of building and supporting nonprofit and comm...

Today, we have a chat between Brad Saunders, CEO of Community Living Toronto, and Erica and Sam, members of CLTO Influencers. In this episode, Sam and Erica share their experiences growing up and importance of advocacy in their lives. They also discuss how they navigate the complexities of maintaining an active social media presence  and how they are contributing the cause that are close to their...