Community Support Organizations Press on to Serve Vulnerable Ontarians During COVID-19

Community Support Organizations Press on to Serve Vulnerable Ontarians During COVID-19 

October 1, 2020 - October is Community Support Month and organizations that deliver home and community care are working even harder this year to ensure Ontarians living with disabilities, seniors and other vulnerable people aren’t safe and healthy during COVID-19. 

During COVID-19 frontline providers are doing everything they can to provide in-person care when needed and have also adapted to provide virtual care to support seniors and persons with physical disabilities in staying safe and healthy in the own homes and communities. Our sector’s services encompass health promotion, preventative services and re-enablement services, and are more important now in meeting a client’s current needs and keeping them from declining further and needing to enter a hospital or long-term care home. 

There are over 25 different services including personal care and home helps, Meals on Wheels, Alzheimer and adult day programs, transportation to medical appointments, caregiver support, and hospice and palliative care services. 

We know seniors prefer to live at home. In fact, according to a recent report housing in the community remains a key priority as 92% of all Canadian seniors will continue to live at home and never go into long-term care or congregate care housing. Additional resources are desperately needed now for the home and community support sector in order to keep the most vulnerable among us safe and healthy at home, especially in the unprecedented time.

“Not-for-profit home and community care providers work hard to serve those Ontarians in their communities that need extra support, relieving pressure from the entire health system as a whole,” says Deborah Simon, CEO of Ontario Community Support Association. “Community Support Month highlights the dedicated frontline work these organizations deliver day after day – work that has kept many people safe and healthy during this incredibly challenging time.”

Here are the specific celebration days for the month:

October 5-9 Meals on Wheels Week 
October 7 Congregate Dining Day 
October 9 Supportive Housing/Assisted Living Day 
October 11 Friendly Visiting/Telephone Reassurance Day 
October 12 Respite Services Day 
October 12-16 Community Care Worker Week 
October 14 Client Intervention and Assistance (CIA) Day 
October 19-23 Adult Day Program Week 
October 23 Home Help/Maintenance Services Day 
October 26 Transportation Services Day 
October 27 Attendant Services Day 
October 28-29 OCSA’s Virtual CommunityConnect Conference 
October 30 Hospice and Palliative Care Services Day 

Follow the conversation on social media in October at #CSM2020

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About OCSA

Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services that help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These compassionate and cost-effective services improve quality of life and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. They are the key to a sustainable health care system for Ontario. 

For more information, visit www.ocsa.on.ca and https://twitter.com/OCSAtweets. 

To arrange an interview and more information please contact:

Michele Vantrepote
Communications Manager
Ontario Community Support Association
416-256-3010 ext. 242
Michele.Vantrepote@ocsa.on.ca

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More Updates

By Karla Sealy May 30, 2025
TORONTO, May 30, 2025 - The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Holloway as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 30, 2025. A recognized leader in Ontario's health and community care sectors, Holloway brings over 20 years of experience driving system change, championing equitable access to care, and strengthening community-based services. Her appointment marks a full-circle moment—returning to OCSA after previously serving as Chief of Operations over a decade ago. Holloway's extensive leadership portfolio includes roles as CEO of Bellwoods Centres for Community Living, National Director of Health and Wellness at the Canadian Red Cross, and Interim CEO of CANES Community Care. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and proven ability to lead organizations through complexity while keeping people and purpose at the centre. "Lori is a values-driven leader with deep roots in our sector," says Steve Sherrer, Chair of the OCSA Board of Directors. "At a time when demand for home and community care is growing and the policy landscape is shifting, her strategic insight and operational expertise will be invaluable in advancing OCSA's mission. We're thrilled to welcome her back to the sector and this exciting role with the organization." Holloway takes over from outgoing CEO, Deborah Simon. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Deborah for her tireless dedication and lasting contributions," says Sherrer. "Thanks to her leadership, OCSA is well positioned to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead." This leadership transition comes at an important time as OCSA calls for more support for the sector through its Everyone Needs Home and Community Care campaign. Through the campaign, all Ontarians are encouraged to visit www.everyoneneedscare.ca to learn more and to connect to their MPPs for better funding, visibility, and support for home and community care. About OCSA The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) champions a strong, sustainable home and community care sector in Ontario. The association represents over 220 not-for-profit organizations deliver high-quality services that help seniors, people with disabilities, and those with complex care needs remain independent in their homes and communities. These proactive and cost-effective services prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. For more information visit www.ocsa.on.ca or @OCSATweets For media inquiries please contact: Karla Sealy (she/her) Manager of Communications 416-256-3010/1-800-267-6272, ext 242 karla.sealy@ocsa.on.ca
By Karla Sealy May 21, 2025
Toronto, ON — Today, on Personal Support Worker (PSW) Day , the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) proudly joins communities across the province in recognizing the extraordinary contributions of Personal Support Workers. PSWs are the backbone of Ontario’s home and community care system, providing essential support that enables people to live safely and independently at home. Each year on May 19th, PSW Day is an opportunity to show our deep appreciation for the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of these vital frontline workers. Whether helping seniors with daily tasks, supporting people with disabilities, or providing companionship to those facing isolation, PSWs deliver the care that’s needed—and the care that’s wanted—every single day. As Ontario faces a growing demand for home and community care, the role of PSWs has never been more important. OCSA continues to advocate for investments that will strengthen the PSW workforce, and this is part of the Everyone Needs Home and Community Care advocacy campaign. OCSA encourages all Ontarians to take a moment today to thank a PSW in their life. You can also visit www.everyoneneedscare.ca to learn more about how to support the people who provide essential care in your community. Happy PSW Day—and thank you to all the Personal Support Workers who make a difference every day.
We sent an email because everyone needs home and community care.
By Karla Sealy April 30, 2025
Against the backdrop of uncertain times, Ontarians need and want more access to these services 
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