Cribwolf Talks

In this episode of Cribwolf Talks, host Lino Fera welcomes back Gary Gladstone, Chair of the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC), for an important conversation about Canada's growing housing crisis for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than 53,000 people on waiting lists for developmental services and supports across Ontario, many families face an unce...

Lino Fera sits down with Sheree, a parent directly impacted by the recent events surrounding the developmental services crisis at the Oakville location of Central West Specialized Developmental Services (CWSDS). In this emotional and eye-opening interview, Sheree shares her personal experience navigating the challenges faced by families of individuals with special needs during the labour dispute,...

In this compelling episode of Cribwolf Talks, host Lino Fera sits down with Rabia Khedr — a nationally recognized advocate, leader, and changemaker dedicated to advancing equity, accessibility, and justice. Rabia is the National Director of Disability Without Poverty and CEO of DEEN Support Services. Her distinguished career includes leadership roles with Accessibility Standards Canada, the Ontari...

In Part 1 of this 3-part series, we’re putting the spotlight on Kerr Street Mission (KSM), a remarkable organization based in Oakville, Ontario. For years, KSM has been committed to empowering the local community through its four core programs, each designed to address the specific needs of individuals and families facing hardship. We’re excited to take you behind the scenes of KSM’s impactful wor...

In Part 2 of our 3-part series, we continue our deep dive into Kerr Street Mission (KSM) and its transformative impact on the Oakville community. In this episode, we focus on the organization’s core programs, exploring how they address the unique needs of children, youth, families, and individuals in distress.  In this episode, we focus on Youth Development Programs and Family Services Programs Yo...

In Part 3 of our 3-part series, we focus on a crucial issue close to the heart of Gary O'Neill, Executive Director of Kerr Street Mission: the urgent need for more affordable housing with integrated support services in our community. In this episode, Gary shares his views on how housing is a fundamental pillar of stability for individuals and families, and why it’s essential for communities t...

Nadia Venafro, a representative for Multi-Unit Housing Solutions at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), has been a key advocate for affordable housing initiatives across Canada. Today, she’s here to share valuable insights on the latest funding options and opportunities available to developers, along with important updates from CMHC. With her extensive experience in navigating gove...

Ivan Vasyliv and Betty Vuong from Serotiny Group, who recently presented at the Intentional Community Consortium Housing Forum on October 8, 2024, are here today to share their expertise. Their presentation, titled 'Reuse Not Rework', focused on innovative, sustainable housing solutions by highlighting the potential of adaptive reuse in construction. Through their work, Ivan and Betty ar...

Mogan Wright, an Associate Architect at mcCallumSather, is making a significant impact as an architect specializing in complex mass timber buildings and sustainable design. With a focus on merging traditional techniques with innovative solutions, Mogan creates structures that are environmentally responsible and architecturally cutting-edge. Her work has earned numerous prestigious awards, includin...

Join Ann Bilodeau, President of KW Habilitation, as she takes us on an exclusive interview about their new Kitchener-Waterloo facility. KW Habilitation is a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing personalized services and supports to children with special needs and adults with developmental disabilities.  KW Habilitation, believes in fostering a good life through early learning s...

In this exclusive video, Stephen Rowe, the President of Fare Share Food Bank Oakville, gives a heartfelt introduction to the vital work being done at our facility. Get an inside look at how they are dedicated to fighting hunger and making a difference in the Oakville community. Fare Share Food Bank Oakville collects and distributes food donations to families in need, ensuring that no one goes to b...

In June 1969, 16-year-old Philip Porter disappeared in Kimberley, BC, and a ransom note demanding $100,000 was sent to his family. The case was eventually linked to a disgruntled Cominco employee, but despite efforts to pay the ransom, Philip was never found. Intriguingly, the suspect in the kidnapping died in the 1974 Pan Arctic flight crash. The question remains—could there be a connection betwe...

Join us for an insightful session with Tim Welch, President of TWC Inc., who recently delivered a compelling presentation titled 'Key Factors for a Successful Affordable Housing Project' at the Intentional Community Consortium Housing Forum on October 8, 2024. With his extensive experience in the affordable housing sector, Tim is the perfect expert to delve into the essential strategies...

The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024.  The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides. We are presenting the conference "On...

The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024. The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides. We are presenting the conference "On...

The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024. The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides. We are presenting the conference "On...

The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024. The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides. We are presenting the conference "On...

The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024. The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides. We are presenting the conference "On...

The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024. The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides. We are presenting the conference "On...

The Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) held a two-day housing conference in Ottawa, Canada with various members of our Federal Government on March 19th & 20th, 2024. The conference was designed to bring MPs, Senators, and members of the ICC together to discuss the critical housing shortage and hear perspectives and potential issues from all sides. We are presenting the conference "On...

We go on-site with Robin Bailey and Jason Clark to the Burlington Foodbank's new Feed Halton Distribution Centre to discuss how this new initiative is addressing hunger and food insecurity in the Halton Region. From January to September 2022, there was a 24% increase in the number of people accessing food banks in Ontario compared to the previous year. Shockingly, 1 in 3 visitors were first-t...

Peggi Shepherd DeGroote discusses Wellbeings Pain Management & Dependency Clinic and the fundamental belief that every person deserves the right to be treated with dignity, respect and privacy, and live a pain-free life, unencumbered by addiction. The organization treats all types of chronic and acute pain, offering modern, scientifically based and cutting-edge treatments. They also provide me...

In this first episode of a three-part series, Lino connects with Matt George, Co-Executive Producer for Cribwolf Talks, to provide an overview of Disability Employment. The two discuss the road to employment and the many hurdles that still stand in the way of many individuals with disabilities seeking to join the workforce. Their conversation sets the stage for the more detailed interviews to foll...

In this second episode in our three-part series on Disability Employment, Lino sits down with Carolyn McDougall, the Ontario Co-ordinator for Project Search, and Dr. Jennifer Crowson, the Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN). Carolyn and Jennifer provide a detailed look at the important work they do for the disability community; Project Search is...

In this final episode in our three-part series on Disability Employment, Lino sits down with Jody Tick, the Executive Director at Sunflower Bakery in Rockville, Maryland. The two discuss Sunflower's unique set of hospitality and pastry arts workforce development training and pre-employment exposure programs for youths with learning differences. Jody highlights the importance of building compe...