Reena

04/13/2026

As , Remembrance Day, begins this evening and continues through tomorrow evening, we take time to remember with sorrow and respect.

We honour the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust, and we hold in our hearts the survivors, their descendants, and all those whose lives and families were forever changed.

At we also remember people with developmental disabilities, who were among the first victims of N**i persecution through the Aktion T4 program. Their lives mattered deeply, and their memory deserves to be carried forward with care and compassion.

On this day of remembrance, we reflect, we mourn, and we recommit ourselves to standing against hatred in all its forms, while upholding the dignity and humanity of every person.

Learn more about Aktion T4 https://buff.ly/HxuCMhT

04/13/2026

As Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, begins this evening and continues through tomorrow evening, we take time to remember with sorrow and respect.

We honour the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust, and we hold in our hearts the survivors, their descendants, and all those whose lives and families were forever changed.

At Reena we also remember people with developmental disabilities, who were among the first victims of N**i persecution through the Aktion T4 program. Their lives mattered deeply, and their memory deserves to be carried forward with care and compassion.

On this day of remembrance, we reflect, we mourn, and we recommit ourselves to standing against hatred in all its forms, while upholding the dignity and humanity of every person.

Learn more about Aktion T4 here https://buff.ly/X9Gf5qE

04/01/2026

03/27/2026

At Reena, inclusion is built through everyday opportunities—like meaningful, paid work.

This Passover, look for our Reena-grown and packed Kosher for Passover hydroponic romaine lettuce—a Canadian first—supporting paid employment for Reena Individuals.

Buy Reena-grown and packed products wherever fine Kosher hydroponic leafy greens are sold.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/26/2026

Reena is pleased to welcome the Government of Ontario’s commitment to a 3% increase in funding for developmental services agencies, announced in the 2026 Provincial Budget.

This investment reflects the collective advocacy of the sector, including Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs, and represents an important step toward stabilizing services for thousands of Ontarians with developmental disabilities and their families.

“This investment will help stabilize critical services, support our workforce, and ensure we can continue to provide safe, supportive housing and community-based care,” said Bryan Keshen
Bryan Keshen, Reena’s CEO.

Michael Parsa Laura Smith Michelle Cooper

Full statement -

Back to News & Events Reena Welcomes Ontario’s Investment in Developmental Services News Share Centred Content 3% Increase Will Strengthen Supports, Stabilize Services, and Improve Lives Toronto, ON – March 26, 2026 Reena is pleased to welcome the Government of Ontario’s commitment to a 3% inc...

03/26/2026

This Passover, we’re feeling deeply grateful for our beautiful partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto

Together, we helped bring comfort, dignity, and connection to Reena individuals and families through the 2026 Passover Food Drive — while also creating meaningful paid employment opportunities for the people we support.

Because of this collaboration:
✨ 4,230 food boxes were delivered
✨ 2,359 boxes were built by Reena employed individuals
✨ 2,115 fresh fruit and vegetable boxes were supplied and delivered by@oddbunchca
✨ 87 Reena individuals received 2 boxes each
✨ 16 Reena locations received deliveries
✨ 12 Reena employed individuals were hired
✨ 6 volunteer groups included Reena-supported individuals

1 strong collaboration.
1 shared commitment to community.
1 more Passover made brighter, together.

Thank you, NCJW, for collaborating so beautifully with Reena again this year.

03/25/2026

We’re proud to see three Reena-led presentations at the OADD (https://oadd.org/) 2026 Unlocked Spring Conference, sharing practical ideas and forward-thinking solutions that are helping shape the future of developmental services in Ontario. Reena

Gary Gladstone, Lead of Stakeholder Relations, will address the urgent housing crisis facing people with and the power of coordinated advocacy, government relations, and cross-sector partnerships to unlock supportive, affordable housing solutions.

Ann Szabo, Jenny Gannon, and Nicole Lipsey, Managers at Reena, highlighted the evolution of Community Participation Supports and how Reena is moving beyond traditional day programs toward a more person-centred model rooted in autonomy, meaningful engagement, therapeutic recreation, and belonging across all 16 waking hours of a person’s day.

Sandy Stemp, Reena's COO, co-presenting with sector partners, will explore what becomes possible when health and developmental services work together differently, sharing lessons from cross-system collaboration to help prevent inappropriate placements, improve outcomes, and keep people at the centre of care.

Together, these presentations reflect what Reena stands for: not only responding to complex sector challenges, but helping lead the way forward. From housing advocacy and inclusive community participation to stronger health partnerships, Reena continues to share knowledge, build solutions, and advance a more inclusive future for people with developmental disabilities.

03/25/2026

Reena is grateful and appreciative of the wonderful Food Drive collaboration with the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto. Many of the boxes will be delivered to Reena's residential locations, and we are so grateful for that. We look forward to our collaboration next year.

03/25/2026

A Canadian first 💚 Kosher for Passover hydroponic romaine lettuce—grown and packed by Reena

It’s a simple way to bring tradition to your Seder table while supporting paid employment for Reena Individuals.

Please buy Reena-grown and packed products wherever fine Kosher hydroponic leafy greens are sold. https://buff.ly/0Sgqj9I

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/24/2026

With heartfelt thanks to UJA Federation of Greater Toronto for supporting Reena and so many other organizations through the "Packing It Forward" 2026 Passover Seder initiative.

Because of the care and dedication of UJA’s many volunteers, hundreds of Passover boxes were prepared, and 366 boxes filled with fresh and non-perishable items were delivered to Reena-supported residences. These boxes will help our residents celebrate Passover with dignity, joy, and community—without the added worry of rising living costs.

We are deeply grateful for this meaningful partnership and for the kindness that helps make the holiday brighter for so many. Chag Pesach Sameach. Reena

03/12/2026

Today we celebrated the official opening of the new Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) in Thornhill! This important new centre will support seniors - especially those with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges - by providing programs that help them stay active, healthy, and socially connected. Thank you to Minister Raymond Cho, Seniors and Accessibility, MPP Stephen Lecce, and MPP Laura Smith for sharing their remarks and supporting this investment in our community’s seniors.


Gary Gladstone

03/06/2026

Innovation starts by listening.

Thanks to a $93,800 Seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation , Reena is advancing Empowering Families: Community-Centred Residential Planning for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families plan for community living with greater confidence and support.

We’re grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for helping Reena support individuals and families across our community and beyond, and to MPP Michelle Cooper for recognizing the importance of proactive, community-centred residential planning.

So far, this project has included more than 100 family discovery calls and surveys, the development of the Independent Residential Practice Program (IRPP) Preparation Toolkit, and the identification of 23 individuals for the first wave of practice stays. With 385 families initially expressing interest, the need — and the potential impact — is clear.

Gary Gladstone