Melanie’s Story of Connection and Care

When Linda Gruson talks about her daughter Melanie, she doesn’t hesitate for a moment.

“Reena saved us, quite literally,” she says.

Melanie’s journey hasn’t been easy. From a young age, she faced multiple diagnoses that made daily life unpredictable. As she neared adulthood, the uncertainty felt overwhelming.

“When she turned 21 and was about to leave school, it felt like we were standing at the edge of a cliff,” recalls Linda.

Then Reena social worker Brenda entered their lives, checking in every day, helping navigate complex systems, ensuring they never felt alone. Soon, Melanie was offered a place in a Reena group home.

When Melanie moved into her residence at age 23, what made the difference wasn’t a strategy or manual. It was relationships.

“She’s had the same two primary workers since she moved in,” says Linda. “They’re like family. That’s what changed everything.”

Melanie began to thrive. “When she realized her actions could affect the people she loves, she started to change,” Linda explains. “Her motivation came from wanting to make them proud.”

Today, at 38, Melanie lives a life filled with art, purpose and joy. At Reena’s Pathways day program, she discovered her passion for painting. Her artwork has been featured in exhibitions and even sold.

That confidence carried into her newest role as an employee at a community café, where she bakes and prepares food. “It’s given her a sense of purpose. She’s now a working woman.”

Outside work and art, Melanie’s life is full of adventure. She has a season pass to Canada’s Wonderland. “Her worker will go with her on the craziest rides,” Linda laughs.

For Linda, Reena’s impact goes beyond Melanie’s success. It’s about knowing her daughter is safe, cared for and living her best life. “I know that when I’m no longer here, she’ll still be okay. That confidence is everything.”

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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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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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