New “Done-For-You” Recruitment Campaign by OCSA Supports Urgent, Ongoing Need for Volunteers
Volunteers Essential to Keeping People Safe at Home Through Community Support Services
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TORONTO, April 21, 2021 – Sunday, April 18, marked the start of National Volunteer Week in Canada. It’s a coast-to-coast-to-coast celebration of the commitment, dedication, generosity and selflessness of Canada’s almost 12.7 million volunteers. Today we’re releasing a Done-For-You Recruitment Campaign
to help CSS organizations connect more easily, and more effectively, with the volunteers they need to keep supporting our communities.
As we enter the second year of this pandemic, volunteers are more important and more needed than ever, especially in community support organizations that deliver Meals on Wheels.
As a vital component of home and community services, the community support services (CSS) sector relies heavily on volunteers to deliver services to the most vulnerable people in our communities, including seniors and people with disabilities. The pandemic has put tremendous pressure on the sector, causing massive spikes in demand for services that have yet to level out. Volunteers are key to sustainability.
“Before the pandemic, many volunteers in our sector were over 70 years of age,” says Deborah Simon, CEO of the Ontario Community Support Association. “Understandably, they’ve had to step back during COVID-19 and this week we want to celebrate those who managed to continue volunteering as well as those new volunteers that have stepped forward.”
Early in the pandemic, some organizations lost as much as 80% of their volunteer base as seniors stayed home. The pandemic has highlighted the need for renewal and diversity amongst volunteers in organizations that provide essential community-based care such as Meals on Wheels that helps vulnerable people stay home safely.
“Volunteers create positive change all across our province,” stated Hon. Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “They are showing the true Ontario Spirit in helping to keep our communities safe and connected.” Since April 2020, his Ministry has funded $11 million into the Ontario Community Support Program (OCSP) to coordinate and subsidize deliveries of meals, medicines and other necessities to low-income seniors and people with disabilities who are isolating during the pandemic.
“This National Volunteer Week, we also want to recognize the challenge that many organizations have faced in recruiting and onboarding new volunteers -- including youth, newcomers, and people in early or pre-retirement -- in the midst of all the other pressures of COVID-19,” says Simon. “Our “Done-For-You” Recruitment Campaign hopes to ease those challenges.” “
The Recruitment Campaign
and the Volunteer Management Link Hub
that houses it were developed by OCSA with OCSP funding. CSS organizations can visit the Link Hub for useful, relevant tips, tools, and training on recruiting, onboarding, engaging, and protecting volunteers during COVID-19.
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About OCSA
The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services to over one million Ontarians. Our members help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These proactive 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 or @OCSATweets.
For more information please contact:
Sandra Kahale – Media Coordinator
Ontario Community Support Association
647-997-1800
sandra@onwordconsulting.com
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With Ontario’s senior population expected to nearly double by 2046, the need for coordinated, community-based care has never been more urgent. OCSA’s latest policy paper outlines a practical roadmap for scaling Healthy Ageing Community Hubs—integrated models that deliver health, social, and housing supports to help older adults age safely at home. The paper identifies six key policy recommendations: integrated and flexible funding, expansion of existing models, streamlined regulation, digital health integration, empowered local leadership, and province-wide service mapping. These hubs are already demonstrating improved outcomes—from reduced hospital use to higher client satisfaction—but scaling them requires system-level action. This paper is a call to policymakers, health system leaders, and community organizations to build on what works.
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.
