Reena

Since 1973, Reena has been providing housing, programming and services for individuals with diverse a Reena supports people from all denominations.

Reena is a non-profit organization that promotes dignity, individuality, independence, personal growth and community inclusion for people with diverse abilities within a framework of Jewish culture and values. Reena was established in 1973 by parents of children with developmental disabilities as a practical alternative to institutions. In 1977, Reena began receiving funding from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and since that time has grown to provide support for hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Reena offers a variety of services including: residential support, respite programs, counselling, therapy and advocacy. As a faith based community agency, Reena understands the importance of supporting people on their spiritual journey. Over the years, Reena has gained a reputation as a leader in innovation and as the go-to agency for quality training. Reena offers over 30 training courses, events and seminars to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receive quality care.

02/12/2026

Reena was honoured to host Dr. Carolyn Whitzman, Adjunct Professor and Senior Researcher at the School of Cities University of Toronto, for a tour of Lou Fruitman Reena Residence and a thoughtful conversation about what it will take to build housing solutions that scale.

Dr. Whitzman’s work, including Home Truths: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis (2024) and recent reports on bundling public assets to build nonmarket housing, human rights-based housing targets, scaling up nonmarket supply, and responsible investment in housing, brings needed clarity to the policies and partnerships that can accelerate real progress.

https://lnkd.in/dtiHhGwG

Her expertise aligns closely with Reena’s focus on innovative housing for people with hashtag hashtag , housing that supports dignity, stability, and true community belonging. We appreciated her insights and look forward to staying connected as we advance inclusive, non-market solutions across the housing continuum.

02/10/2026

“Reena’s magic works when you give it a chance,” Talia says. “It’s not perfect, nothing in life is, but it’s a place where you can build a future and become the best version of yourself.” Read Talia's full story: https://reena.org/year-of-impact/ Reena

02/04/2026

We’re proud to spotlight a new milestone in Reena’s Supported Employment programs!

Reena's Channels and Pathways North has partnered with Food and Beverage Ontario "Careers Now" to deliver a customized Food Production Worker Certificate Training designed specifically for neurodivergent learners.

With six motivated participants, supported by Reena’s Job Coaching Services and guided by our coach Tamara, this program combines skill-building, accommodations for diverse learning styles, and real-world career pathways in the food manufacturing sector.

As the trainees prepare for their final exam, they’re one step closer to certification and to greater opportunities in the labour market.

Building skills. Building confidence. Building careers.

02/04/2026

Reena is proud to demonstrate sector leadership at the and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference.

Our COO, Sandy Stemp is presenting alongside Melonie Hopkins, Transitional Manager in the Complex Care and Recovery Program at CAMH and Jeanny Scantlebury, Vice President Adult Services, Surrey Place on Dual Diagnosis ALC – Collaborative Models and Need for System Actions.

This session highlights a cross-sector collaboration that successfully transitioned individuals with dual diagnosis from prolonged hospital stays into community-based solutions—improving quality of life while reducing strain on the health system. The presentation will share lessons learned, community successes, and the urgent need for system-level action to replicate effective models across regions.

We are honoured to contribute to advancing solutions for an underserved population and to advocating for sustainable, collaborative approaches across the sector.

🔗 Learn more about the conference: https://www.healthandwellbeingindd.ca/

02/03/2026

Did you know that February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month?

In fact, NCJWC Toronto is proud to partner with Reena for the 2026 Passover Food Drive. Through this vital community project, Reena clients help us pack our Yom Tov candles and Passover Food boxes.

Thank you Reena. We could not do this without you!

02/03/2026

As we enter , Reena joins communities across Canada in recognizing Black History Month 2026, a time to reflect, learn, and celebrate together.

This year’s theme, “30 Years of Black History Month, Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations, From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries,” reminds us to honour the past while celebrating the voices and leadership shaping Canada’s future.

At Reena, we are proud to work alongside colleagues who identify as Black Canadians, whose experiences and contributions strengthen our community and the lives of those we support.

This month invites reflection, learning, and continued commitment to equity, belonging, and inclusion.

02/02/2026

Happy Tu B'Shvat!

Tu B'Shvat is the New Year for Trees. A holiday that confidently celebrates growth right in the middle of winter, when everything outside looks frozen and slightly unmotivated. Trees may seem inactive, but beneath the surface, roots are strengthening, and sap is rising. It’s a reminder we value at Reena: meaningful growth doesn’t always make a big show. Sometimes it’s quiet, steady, and happening long before you can see the results—exactly the kind of sustainable growth we believe in.

To mark the day, Reena residents enjoyed a cozy Tu B'Shvat–themed movie event, proving that growth can be celebrated even when it’s too cold to leave the building. Warm drinks, good company, and a shared experience made it a reminder that nurturing connection and well-being is just as important as planting trees. 'svat

02/02/2026

Reena is proud to celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month ( ) throughout February, an annual initiative founded in 2009 by the Jewish Special Education International Consortium to raise awareness and foster acceptance, inclusion, and belonging for Jewish people with disabilities in all areas of community life.

01/29/2026

Today, Reena had a great visit with Boomerang Health powered by SickKids, exploring opportunities to collaborate in support of children with developmental and complex medical needs.

It was a pleasure meeting with Carolyn-Davidson, Susan Lambert, Lindsay D’Andrade-Phillip, and Lauren Greenwood, and learning more about Boomerang Health’s impressive multidisciplinary pediatric model in City of Vaughan

Thank you to the Boomerang Health team for warmly hosting Ziv Har-Gil Haval, MPH, PMP Lead, Health Strategy and Partnerships, and Gary Gladstone, Lead, Stakeholder Relations.

As Reena continues to grow its health portfolio as a key pillar of our strategic plan, partnerships like these are essential. We’re excited to keep the conversation going and to build strong connections for the benefit of the community.

01/27/2026

Today, on International Remembrance Day, we honour the memory of the millions murdered during the Holocaust and reaffirm our commitment to dignity, inclusion and human rights for all.

January 27 marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and is recognized globally as a day to remember victims and survivors while confronting hatred and intolerance.

Recent films that bring forward previously overlooked stories — including the persecution of people with disabilities under the N**i regime — remind us that discrimination and dehumanization have devastating consequences when left unchecked. https://buff.ly/103QU4r

At , our mission is to promote dignity, independence, and meaningful inclusion for people with developmental disabilities. We reflect on this day with deep respect for the lives lost and a renewed commitment to supporting and advocating for individuals with diverse abilities — ensuring that every life is valued, every voice is heard, and the lessons of history guide us toward a more compassionate and just future.

01/21/2026

We were honoured to welcome Ontario Community and Social Services Minister Michael Parsa and MPP Michelle Cooper to the Frankfort Family Reena Residence — the future home of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Reena continues to lead by identifying solutions and advancing innovative housing models. We thank the provincial government for its confidence in our work and for funding initiatives that enable dignified, independent living.

Bryan Keshen Gary Gladstone Sheila Hochman-Miller

Address

927 Clark Avenue West
Thornhill, ON
L4J8G6

Website

http://www.reena.org/

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Our Story

Reena is a non-profit organization which promotes dignity, individuality, independence, personal growth and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities within a framework of Jewish culture and values. Reena was established in 1973 by parents of children with developmental disabilities as a practical alternative to institutions. In 1977, Reena began receiving funding from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and since that time has grown to provide support for hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Reena offers a variety of services including: residential support, respite programs, counselling, therapy and advocacy. Reena supports people from all denominations. As a faith based community agency, Reena understands the importance of supporting people on their spiritual journey. Over the years, Reena has gained a reputation as a leader in innovation and as the go-to agency for quality training. Reena offers over 30 training courses, events and seminars to ensure that individuals with developmental disabilities receive quality care.

02/12/2026

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02/04/2026

02/04/2026

02/03/2026

02/03/2026

02/02/2026

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01/29/2026

01/27/2026

01/21/2026

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