Wellness Programs

Though essential, it can be challenging for caregivers to put themselves first. We support initiatives that allow caregivers to explore their own health and wellness, so they can be fulfilled inside and outside of their caregiving roles.

The Sibling Support Project

The Sibling Support Project is an international program dedicated to the life-long concerns of siblings of children with developmental disabilities. The program connects young sibling caregivers through workshops and conferences.

With support from the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, the Sibling Support Project will:

• Offer a facilitator training course in Ontario to increase workshop hosting abilities across the province
• Host a one-day sibling retreat to foster connections among adult and children sibling caregivers

These initiatives will be hosted by Community Living Toronto and will take place in fall 2022. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on our social media platforms to learn more.

Siblings Canada

Siblings Canada, an initiative of the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE), raises awareness of the critical role that siblings play in creating robust and responsive systems of care for people with disabilities. We serve as a source of relevant knowledge, learning and resources for sibling caregivers and the organizations that support them.

As Siblings Canada looks to the future, we are focused on making an impact in meaningful ways, including:

• Advancing national awareness of the important role siblings play in the long-term well-being of their family members with disabilities

• Contributing to research, knowledge and policy on siblings, caregiving and disability
• Bringing adult siblings together to share their experiences and learn from one another

• Building the capacity of social service agencies and other disability-focused organizations to better engage and support siblings as caregivers

Acceptance and Commitment Training for Adult Siblings

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a method that allows individuals to develop tools to manage difficult feelings and life events that are beyond their control in a respectful and mindful way.

Siblings Canada, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Kids Brain Health Network are offering a six-week ACT training workshop specifically for adult siblings of people with an intellectual disability or autism.

Visit our events page to learn more about upcoming programs.

Mindfulness for Family Caregivers of People with a Neurodevelopmental Disability

As part of our commitment to support the health and wellness of caregivers in Canada, the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence is working with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre to offer a six-week mindfulness program to learn and practice mindfulness skills for family caregivers, including those who provide care to people with disabilities, those who are aging, and those experiencing a challenging illness.

The program is led by Sue Hutton, a mindfulness teacher with over 30 years of experience. The weekly sessions are designed for participants to learn and practice mindfulness skills to reduce stress and improve their quality of life.

Sessions will be held weekly over a six-week period, beginning Friday January 20, 2023.

Community Living Toronto – Moms Group and Retreat

The Moms Group and Retreat is a support system for mothers raising children with developmental disabilities and brain injuries. This program invites open conversations among participants to explore the joys and challenges of parenting, examine gender roles involved in caregiving and focus on their own mental health.

The 2022 Moms Group and Retreat is organized by Community Living Toronto. It will be held at Shadow Lake Camp and will welcome 35 Ontario mothers for the two-day event. Following the retreat, Community Living Toronto will host monthly meetings for the network. The 2022 retreat is supported by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE).