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Supporting people with complex Physical and Developmental Disabilities 24/7

About NVT

About New Visions Toronto

New Visions Toronto is a non-profit and charitable organization that provides housing, care, and support for children, adolescents, and adults with complex developmental and physical disabilities. For over 30 years, we have been guided by the key concepts of integration and normalization. We believe that all individuals have the right to receive services and support while being part of their community.

At New Visions Toronto, we provide around-the-clock, individualized care that supports and stimulates efforts to establish meaningful relationships, activities, and work within the community. Our goal is to foster ongoing growth and development of the people we support to be as independent as possible. The location of our homes ensures that the people we support can be active members of their growing and vibrant communities. This also helps to educate the greater population about some of the barriers that people with disabilities face every day.

Our residential program offers homes for 57 individuals in 15 locations throughout the Toronto area. Living within a community encourages interaction with others and presents opportunities for individuals to participate in their communities and be valued for their contributions. At New Visions Toronto, we strive to deliver the best support possible in a home-like environment, where integration and normalization are at the core of everything we do.

History

Our organization has a heartwarming backstory. It all started in 1980 as Ceci’s Homes for Children, founded in memory of Debra Cecile Heinrichs, fondly known as Ceci to her loved ones. Her parents, Elfrieda and Vern Heinrichs, drew on their personal experience to develop a program that would help other parents who were caring for children with severe disabilities. With the help of the Heinrichs Foundation and the support of many kind-hearted individuals, this dream became a reality.

New Visions Toronto began with four residences in Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence neighbourhood. Today, these homes are part of the Cathedral Court Cooperative Homes. Our organization has since grown to encompass a range of programs that provide essential support to individuals with disabilities. We are proud to continue Ceci’s legacy by empowering families and helping them to provide the best possible care for their loved ones.

Funding

New Visions Toronto is primarily funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Our children’s home is licensed yearly by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. We also receive a small amount of funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care via the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network. However, funding from the provincial government does not sufficiently cover all expenses. We play a critical role in the lives of the people we support. We believe that all individuals, regardless of ability, are capable of growth and change. But to make this happen, we need the full support of family, friends, and the community at large. We have an ongoing need for therapeutic equipment, wheelchair-accessible vans, computers, maintaining our properties and much more.

Resources

If you are looking for support for a family member, there are a number of different service providers that may be able to help. If you live in the Toronto area, the contact information that you need to begin the process is below:

For Individuals Under The Age Of 18:

  • Toronto Regional Office
  • Ministry of Children’s and Youth Services/Ministry of Community and Social Services 375 University Avenue, 5th Floor
    Toronto ON
    M7A 1G1
  • Phone: 416.325.0500
  • TTY: 416.325.3600
  • Fax: 416.325.0565

For Individuals Age 18 Or Older:

Team

New Visions Toronto understands that families who support their children at home could use a break from time to time. We also understand that children may need a break from their families. We provide 24-hour scheduled respite service for individuals who may have complex care requirements. We currently have one adult respite spot that is fully accessible with a single bed and dresser in a private bedroom. Our proximity to many downtown attractions makes this a desirable location for parents and their children to get a break from each other.

We will make every effort to provide individualized support based on individual needs. People receiving respite services will receive the same level of care as our permanent residents do (community outings, personal care, medication administration, record keeping, etc.).

The cost is $25.00 for any day visit that is less than 10 hours. Overnight stays are $50.00 per day / night.

If you would like more information about a respite opportunity at New Visions Toronto,
please email
Julie Andrews,
Director of Services,
or call her at (416) 868-1493 extension 229.

Unfortunately we currently, and for the foreseeable future, do not provide Respite Services for children under 18 years of age.

Our Mission Is To…

  • Provide a safe and supportive home-like environment.
  • Ensure that a high standard of quality of care is maintained at all times.
  • Encourage and support each person to become as independent as possible and to experience personal achievements and accomplishments.
  • Ensure that each person’s personal dignity and privacy is respected.
  • Promote inclusion into neighbourhood schools, community activities, and social groups.
  • Promote and support constructive use of recreational and leisure time.
  • Promote and support meaningful relationships.
  • Provide or pursue a range of professional services and programs to ensure health and personal development.
  • Educate the community about the importance of integration, normalization and involvement.