Hospice Toronto Meal Delivery Feeds More Than Just Bellies in COVID-19
Support, Connection Essential to End of Life Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, August 13, 2020 -- A crisis like COVID-19 challenges communities at every level. From the struggles of physical distancing to loss of income, isolation, and detachment from the social networks that provide care, people can often find themselves in need of more support, just as it becomes harder to find.
To meet this issue head on, the government announced the Ontario Community Support Program in April, a nearly $11M fund distributed by the Ontario Community Support Association to help community support organizations deliver meals, medicine, and more to community members who need it the most.
For Hospice Toronto, an urban, in-home hospice palliative care program, the emergency funding has meant the ability to partner with a caterer to bring nourishing fresh and frozen meals directly to their most vulnerable community members: people with terminal illness who’ve chosen to die at home.
For people already facing unthinkable challenges, a lovingly prepared meal is the gift of one less thing to worry about.
As those in the Community Support sector know well, funding isn’t everything; the success of these programs also relies on people. At Hospice Toronto, as elsewhere across the province, staff are stepping in to replace volunteers-- many over 70 years old-- who’ve been forced to stay home and isolate themselves. For Teri Henderson, the Director of Clinical Services for Hospice Toronto, the opportunity to deliver meals to community members during COVID-19 has been incredibly meaningful.
“I've been in this field for a long time and I was really struck by the absolute gratitude people had that we were able to bring food into their homes,” she says, noting that this appreciation has translated into neighbour referrals for the program and as a result, the high-density vertical villages that many of their clients call home, are transforming into communities.
Teri is grateful for what the funding has allowed them to accomplish, saying, “If in one small way we can feed people emotionally or physically -- it’s been a gift.”
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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.
For interviews and information requests please contact:
Sandra Kahale – Media Coordinator
Ontario Community Support Association
647-997-1800
About Hospice Toronto
Hospice Toronto is dedicated to providing the highest quality of palliative care. Team based and person-centred, Hospice Toronto supports quality of life, empowered decision making and self determination for people navigating life's greatest challenge.
For more information, visit https://hospicetoronto.ca.
Dena Maule – Media Contact
Chief Executive Officer, Hospice Toronto
416.364.1666 ext. 225
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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
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.
OCSA Launches New Campaign Empowering Ontarians to Call for More Support for Home and Community Care
Against the backdrop of uncertain times, Ontarians need and want more access to these services
