October is Community Support Month

Celebrating the frontline workers helping seniors, vulnerable individuals, stay safe and healthy at home through the pandemic

Toronto, October 1, 2021 – This Community Support Month recognizes the 20,000 employees and 100,000 volunteers delivering essential home and community care services across Ontario through charities and not-for-profit agencies.

Last year, they helped over 1 million Ontarians, delivering 2.7 million meals, providing 1.8 million rides to medical appointments, and serving 42,000 Ontarians in adult day programs and nearly 25,000 with assisted living services.

There are over 25 different programs offered by the sector, including services such as nursing care and personal care, homemaking, Meals on Wheels, Alzheimer and adult day programs, transportation to medical appointments, caregiver support, and hospice and palliative care services. Home and community care provides health promotion, preventative services, and re-enablement services, and given the strain on the health system this last 19 months, these services are more important than ever to keep Ontarians from declining and requiring more intense health care services.

“As our health care sector is beginning to return to pre-pandemic operations, a strong and robust home and community care sector is critical to a well-balanced functioning system”, says Deborah Simon, CEO of Ontario Community Support Association. “Recognizing the importance of the work we do, Community Support Month helps bring attention to receiving care in the community – the place where we live, work and ultimately want to be if we need care.”

Not-for-profit home and community care programs only receive partial government funding, and are supported by community foundations, individual donations and thousands of dedicated volunteers. Through celebration days like “Community Care Worker Week” and “Attendant Services Day,” the month recognizes the hard work these frontline workers do for our community, while increasing public awareness of what community support services are and why they are an integral part of the healthcare system – especially now.

Community Support Month celebrations are scheduled as follows:
October 4-8 Meals on Wheels Week
October 6 Congregate Dining Day
October 8 Supportive Housing/Assisted Living Day
October 11-15 Community Care Worker Week
October 12 Friendly Visiting/Telephone Reassurance Day
October 13 Respite Services Day
October 15 Client Intervention and Assistance (CIA) Day
October 18-22 Adult Day Program Week
October 22 Home Help/Maintenance Services Day
October 25 Transportation Services Day
October 26 Attendant Services Day
October 7/14/21/28 OCSA’s Virtual CommunityConnect Speaker Series
October 29 Hospice and Palliative Care Services Day

Follow the conversation on social media in October at #CSM2021

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.

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To arrange an interview or for more information, please contact:
Janice Bedore, Executive Assistant to Deborah Simon, CEO
Ontario Community Support Association
416-256-3010/1-800-267-6272, ext. 224
janice.bedore@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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