Meet Rachel and Lori

Rachel and Lori, two vibrant women living in a Reena group home, recently turned their dreams into reality with a meaningful trip to Montreal.

This trip fulfilled deeply personal goals, supported by dedicated Reena staff.

For Rachel, the journey meant reconnecting with family she hadn’t seen in years: her sister, nieces and nephews. For Lori, it was about experiencing the thrill of train travel and exploring a new city. Both goals were woven into their Individual Support Plans, ensuring Reena’s support remained rooted in what mattered most to them.

The VIA Rail journey itself became unforgettable. Staff provided exceptional care to Rachel, attending to her accessibility needs and making her feel truly special as the scenic route through Ontario and Québec built anticipation for their arrival.

In Montreal, the experiences flowed: outdoor dining, music festivals, a hop-on hop-off bus tour exploring the city’s rich history. Rachel delighted in speaking in her preferred languages – French and Spanish – with locals, while Lori savoured subway rides, wandered Old Montreal’s cobblestone streets and finally found her perfect souvenir: a Montreal-themed beaver she’d long hoped to own.

But the heart of the trip came when Rachel embraced her sister and extended family for the first time in many years. Filled with joyful tears and heartfelt hugs, she described the reunion as life-changing.

None of this would have been possible without Reena’s incredible staff: Bill H., Jullian S., Urowoli E., Hnan A., and Debbie. Their thoughtful planning and hands-on support made every moment safe, meaningful and joyful. A special thanks also to the wider team whose commitment to person-centred care continues to elevate lives.

With compassionate support and intentional planning, dreams don’t just exist. They become lived experiences that transform lives.

1,000+

Individuals supported by Reena

1,200+

Hours given by dedicated volunteers

860

Caring Employees

Unlimited

Impact

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Matthew’s Journey

Get to know Matthew and his transformation from a quiet young man into a confident community member. His breakthrough moments in communication and independence show how special individualized support can be, and how much lasting change it creates.

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A Year of Impact

Every day we’re honoured to witness incredible transformations happening right in our community – and we couldn’t be more proud to spotlight these stories for you.

Our Year of Impact celebrates the real people behind our mission. From Paige building skills for independent living, to Matthew pursuing his career dreams, these stories showcase what happens when we believe in potential and provide the right support.

We’re proud of the life-changing moments we help create, of the confidence we help build, and the independence we help achieve. But most of all, we are proud of the incredible individuals we serve who inspire us every single day to keep creating possibilities. Thank you for the positive impact you leave on us.

How you can help make an impact

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Donate

Your support helps us to continue making an impact for those we serve and in our community.

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Volunteer

By joining our volunteer team, you will directly contribute to the exceptional experiences and life-changing support we deliver every day.

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Share

Amplify the story of someone you know in our Reena community and share the life-changing impact of our programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Reena supports over 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities through a variety of services:

  • Housing: 32 group homes and 60+ supported independent living apartments
  • Community Programs: Flexible day programs tailored to individual interests and schedules
  • Employment Support: Job coaching and career development services
  • Respite Services: Short-term relief and support for families
  • Specialized programs: Services for autism, mental health challenges and other developmental disabilities

For more information about the services we offer, reach out to 905.889.6484 or info@reena.org

Your support directly helps fund transformational housing projects and vital programs, including day programs, respite services and employment support.

Your impact helps:

Housing: Helps address the 12,000+ person waitlist for specialized housing in Ontario

Programs: Funds equipment, activities, and services beyond the scope of government funding

Employment: Supports job coaching and career development services

Individual growth: Enables more journeys to independence and community engagement, helping all individuals to thrive

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! We are always looking for dedicated and caring individuals to join our team.

For full information on our volunteer recruitment process, visit reena.org/volunteer