A Story Shared, A Connection Made

“Back in the fall of 1998, life handed me an unexpected pause. I was off work due to an injury and found myself with time to reflect and look for something meaningful to do. Living nearby, I had watched Reena Battle Centre being built on Clark Avenue. Something about it drew me in—I had a feeling that volunteering there would be the right fit.”

“I wasn’t sure what I could contribute, especially since my experience with individuals with developmental disabilities was limited. But I knew I wanted to learn, to grow, and hopefully, to give something back. That’s when I first walked through Reena’s doors—and I never looked back.

It all started with a book.

One day, I brought a bright, colourful picture book with me. As I opened it, I noticed the individuals around me light up at the vibrant illustrations. That moment became my inspiration. I began curating stories—sometimes about the seasons, sometimes about holidays, often about family and feelings—that sparked interest and discussion.

The Bathurst-Clark Library, just across the street, became my treasure chest. I’d wander the aisles with no real plan, simply letting my eyes land on books I thought might capture imaginations. Stories with vivid pictures, humour, or meaningful messages became our favourites.

Over time, these reading sessions became something more than just an activity. They created calm. They sparked laughter. They opened the door for conversations that connected us all. With Allan and the incredible Reena staff by my side—always helping to make everyone comfortable—we even introduced a microphone to make sure every word could be heard clearly.

Being a volunteer at Reena is a true win-win. I’ve witnessed struggles, but also so much joy, resilience, and community. For me, the simple act of sharing a story has enriched my life as much as it has theirs. Because that’s the magic of a great book: it creates common ground, turns an ordinary day into something extraordinary, and reminds us all that stories have the power to connect us.

And after more than 25 years, I’m still grateful for every story we’ve shared together.”

1,000+

Individuals supported by Reena

1,200+

Hours given by dedicated volunteers

860

Caring Employees

Unlimited

Impact

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Centred Content

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.

See Ways to Donate
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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.

Join Our Team
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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.

Share Our Stories

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